[TylerDurden]

The fanboys were looking for loyalty to the comics and all-around entertainment, not just 'cool explosions' dlb. You want cool explosions sans substance spend your ten bucks on a Michael Bay movie. I hear Transformers 2 will be boring audiences next year.

The action there was was original, memorable, and perfectly directed. Robert Downey Jr. was the exact right guy for that role. And the flick did an excellent job of introducing the character to audiences unfamiliar with Tony Stark, who may not know much about Marvel beyond Peter Parker.

I'd further add that the movie was effective at having an underlying point regarding the War on Terror. That only a small portion of American society, the volunteer US military, has been asked (well, forced) to sacrifice for the cause. And that America is at its best when all elements of her society, including the rich and comfortable like Tony Stark, are committed to both the sacrifice overseas and the debate at home. Hence the importance of that final line in the movie, where Tony admits to the planet that he, the world's most famous billionaire and military industrialist, is Iron Man. Its only partly an impulse of his own massive ego, its also out of a sincere desire to let the world know he shares in that sacrifice. Far more effective at conveying that message than Redford's half-assed 'Lions for Lambs.' Not that thats saying much. 'Smokey and the Bandit' was more effective at conveying that message than that cinematic turd.

What will be interesting is how they contrast Captain America with Iron Man. In the comics they kind of represent the American left and right. Captain America the liberal-minded idealist, Iron Man the militaristic defender of the status quo.