A sure-bet franchise is born with 'Iron Man'

You've met the Tin Man. Now meet Iron Man.

The surprising thing about the latest superhero is that, like his metallic kinsman from Oz, he gets a heart.

"Iron Man," designed to be the first blockbuster of the summer, delivers admirably because director Jon Favreau and all concerned have chosen to play it seriously. Consequently, instead of just some guy in a robot suit, we have a real man with human foibles.

The special effects, explosions and flying are all that a $100 million-plus budget should deliver. But more than that, "Iron Man," based on the Marvel comic book series, is a drama of redemption. An irresponsible playboy and war-mongering billionaire learns that his actions have consequences. Tony Stark, the Clark Kent side of Iron Man, learns to be a responsible human being.

That "Iron Man" would be the summer's first blockbuster was no foregone conclusion. It arrives in theaters today with a good deal of baggage. Not the least of the questions is the casting of Robert Downey Jr. in the lead. He has long been starring in courtrooms rather than in films. The news story about his wandering into someone's Malibu home and falling asleep, thinking it was his own house, got big play. So did his courtroom shenanigans.

Downey is ready to play redemption. Add the special-effects magic of Industrial Light and Magic, and "Iron Man" is in business.

The comic book was set in the 1960s during the Vietnam War, and Stark was captured by the Viet Cong early on. Times have changed. Mideast terrorists are now the villains.

Tony Stark is introduced as a womanizer who doesn't stop his carousing long enough to stir or even shake his martinis. Downey has a mischievous, sarcastic air that is thoroughly effective in suggesting this.

Stark, who is said to be worth $6 billion, is kidnapped by a Middle Eastern warlord played by Faran Tahir, who stares into the camera to let us know he's not one to be taken lightly. He imprisons Tony and orders that he develop a missile that could be used to "control all of Asia."

Stark is a mathematical genius but has a shrapnel problem that might kill him. Since the terrorists are remarkably lacking in surveillance, he forgoes missile development and, instead, creates a chest-mounted device designed to save his life and stabilize the shrapnel. More importantly, he develops an armored suit that allows him to escape.

The switch back to the States is a little awkward and necessitates a longish middle section that comes close to becoming talky. It is some 30 minutes before we see the low-budgeted version of Iron Man and a full hour before we get the red-and-gold super edition. The flying segment, though, is worth the wait. A touch of humor is supplied by the misfires and over-thrust of the early Iron Man efforts.

Getting back to America, Stark demands a cheeseburger before announcing that he's seen the light and will stop producing weapons that are somehow being acquired by the wrong side. This mightily upsets his second-in-command, Obadiah Stane, who is counting the money. The part is played by Jeff Bridges. We know the character is up to no good because he is bald and, what's worse, smokes cigars.

Terrence Howard, still searching for worthwhile material after his fine outings in "Crash" and "Hustle and Flow," is largely wasted as a best friend, an Air Force colonel. When this develops into a franchise, one assumes his role will be more developed.

A rather lifeless Gwyneth Paltrow plays Pepper Potts, Stark's workaholic secretary and Girl Friday.

"Iron Man," though, is all that it should be, right up to the final big bang. With great special effects, but without silly one-liners or campy vulgarities, movies like this can please the adults as well as the target audience that is going to show up anyway. This one is guaranteed to spawn a sequel, and beyond.

Mal Vincent, (757) 446-2347, mal.vincent@pilotonline.com.