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SPOILER ALERT!!!

If I could sum up my review of this movie in one word it would be, awesome. The first of the summer blockbusters burst onto the screen with amazing special effects, hilarious one liners, great sound effects and cinematography and the incredibly handsome Robert Downey, Jr.

One of the concerns I always have about movies based on games or comics has to do with the inability to stay true to the story line. In my opinion, special effects and animation technology is finally catching up with the creative genius that keeps people interested in comic book heroes and stories. The Iron Man movie stayed very true to the story line of the comic books and was able to incorporate great touches, like the theme music from the animated series. The casting was also done quite well, with Obadiah Stane and Tony Stark especially.

The biggest departure from the original story was in the location. The comic book takes place with an East Coast setting whereas the film is based in California. Jon Favereau stated he didn't want the repitition of other action hero films and since Tony Stark is based loosely on Howard Hughes, he filmed a lot where the former Hughes Company soundstages were located. There were also a lot of Air Force references and, as a prior service Airman, I can say they got most of it right; something most movies fail miserably at accomplishing. The only other major departure was the war of choice. To make the movie more relevant, the war was our current Gulf War as opposed to the Vietnam War of the comic.

Robert Downey, Jr. and Terrence Howard made for extremely talented (and absolutely beautiful) actors whose performances were believable. It has been said that Downey even ad libbed some of the lines that eventually stayed in the final movie cut, including a speech he gives where states, "Some say the best weapon is one you never have to fire. I prefer the weapon you have to fire only once. That's how Dad did it, that's how America does it, and it's worked out pretty well so far." The dialog in the movie is great and quick-witted. It is fun to watch as the sexual tension between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts builds throughout the movie.

I don't want to give away too much of the movie because I encourage everyone to go and see it. This is the first of the planned trilogy, most of the actors have already signed on to do the sequels, and true to form, the ending is left wide open for the sequels. I also encourage you to stay until after the end credits. There is a hint at the sequel or, dare I say, spinoff. There is also the introduction of a new character and the actor slated to play him.

Sidebar: Get there early and check out the trailers for the new Indiana Jones, The Incredible Hulk and The Dark Knight!

And just in case you still aren't convinced...watch the trailer again!

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