Iron Man sets the bar for summer blockbusters

Let me get this out of the way: I don’t like Robert Downey Jr. I never have. When I first read he would play Tony Stark in Iron Man, I felt much like I did when reading Michael Keaton was cast in Tim Burrton’s Batman.

And thankfully, I again was dead wrong thinking someone in Hollywood had been off their rocker when casting one of my favorite super heroes.

Downey not only pulled off Tony Stark, but he was so at home in the role (maybe mirroring some of his real life?) not only did he get lost, so did I.

I forgot who I was watching. And that’s a good thing.

Downey wasn’t the only actor who made me forget who he was and his pedigree in the film — Jeff Bridges was nothing short of amazing. Granted I expect the four-time Oscar nominee to be good — be he so good at being the evil Obadiah one forgets we’re watching THE dude from The Big Lebowski.

It certainly helps their efforts that not only are they surrounded by other strong actors — including Terrence Howard and Gwyneth Paltrow — but writers Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Don’t worry, I’d never heard of them either) delivered a top-notch script for the actors to dig into.

Yes this movie has the larger than life action sequences and incredible special effects that always goes with a big budget superhero movie — but there is much more here.

Inside this movie exists statements about how big corporations do business — and if they put money over the welfare of people, the company’s success in front of what is good for the world.

There’s a touch of a love story, but that remains very sedate and in the back seat.

Tony Stark is faced with a moral crisis — the life he once lived, mostly in ignorance, becomes something he no longer wants.

It’s a decision that comes with a heavy price — and comic book lovers are easily reminded of Uncle Ben’s line from Spiderman.

“With great power comes great responsibility.”

Of course, this is a summer blockbuster — an action film at heart. It’s not all heavy, thought provoking fare.

Included in the package are some laugh-out-loud moments which, depending on your mood, could well steal the show.

Iron Man signals the opening of the summer blockbuster season — and at the same time sets the standard for 2008.

It’s a high standard. Iron Man is grabbing a 92 percent rating at Rottetomatoes.com.

Overall I give this movie a thumbs up — buy the large popcorn and enjoy.

What parents should know: I wouldn’t take my nephews (7 and 5 years old) because of the graphic violence and some swearing. There’s also a love scene, between Tony Stark and a magazine reporter, that isn’t overly graphic but might give some parents pause.

Other movie notes: Also out at the Chisholm Trail 8 for another week is the Jackie Chan/Jet Li collaboration “The Forbidden Kingdom.”

It’s a match-up martial arts fans have been pining for, and it doesn’t disappoint. The two masters have a fight scene that is very cool.

The script is fun as well — I’d call it “The Wizard of Oz” meets “The Drunken Master.”

Overall I give it a thumbs up, worth grabbing a medium popcorn on the way in.

This weekend Newton has a rare opportunity at the theater as well — the independent film “Air,” shot entirely in Kansas, will play at the Fox at 7 p.m. Saturday night.

The film is a project of Jeremy Osbrun of Lawrence and features the music of former Newton resident and Bethel College graduate Steve Unruh.