MARVEL Comics have taken matters into their own hands for the movie incarnation of Iron Man, financing it themselves.

No doubt they're mindful of some of the less-thansatisfactory previous transfers of other superheroes from page to screen.

Iron Man is certainly a cut above the usual comic book adaptation, taking time to make us care about the characters as well as the all-important action. Robert Downey Jr lends billionaire industrialist and genius inventor Tony Stark an offhand sense of humour and layer of charm as the character comes to realise that arms dealing isn't the most moral of occupations after being blown up on an arms-selling mission to Afghanistan. His life is saved by having a machine implanted in his chest to stop shrapnel reaching his already-weak heart.

Back home, he protects himself by building a suit of armour - being a genius inventor helps a lot - that enables him to fly about the world doing good. The difference between Iron Man and others of his superhero ilk is that he doesn't possess special powers like X-ray vision or a web-spinning ability. His powers come from the suit he wears, underneath he's just an ordinary guy.

Long-time assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow, running about in her much-publicised high heels) keeps his busy schedule free for his superhero antics, while military man Rhodey (Terrence Howard) keeps him up to speed with what's happening in the world's troubled hot spots.

Director Jon Favreau, the Swingers actor who helmed Elf and Zathura, ensures that action lovers aren't short-changed with explosive set pieces culminating in Stark pitted against an even more fearsome iron man clone.

Stars: Robert Downey Jr, Terrence Howard, Jeff Bridges, Shaun Toub, Gwyneth Paltrow
Running time: 126 mins
Rating: Four stars