Let's face it: Robert Downey Jr. is pretty much the reason as to why Iron Man, the first movie in the now jam-packed Marvel Cinematic Universe canon - is so great. Despite the fact that many fans of the comics thought him to be the wrong choice for the likes of Tony Stark, Downey Jr. turned up and exploded pure, undiluted charisma all over the screen for two hours. Given the fact that Stark starts out as something of an as*hole and remains in very much the same vein for the rest of the movie, it's a tribute to Downey's talents that we loved the guy. Jon Faverau, who also plays Tony's friend and driver Happy Hogan in this movie, took the reins as director, assuring a competent, action packed and surprisingly dramatic blockbuster. Had this movie not turned out quite as well as it did, chances are that the MCU might not have existed even today; the trick was in ploughing the seeds of comic book lore and using them as a jumping off point to craft a movie that absolutely everyone (even those unfamiliar with the comics) could enjoy. Mission accomplished. But really, this is Downey Jr.'s show.
Sam Hill is an ardent cinephile and has been writing about film professionally since 2008. He harbours a particular fondness for western and sci-fi movies.
