That audible sigh of relief comes from knowing that the first blockbuster of the summer is a lot of fun. The loud, brassy and explosive Iron Man may not walk away with many Oscars, but it certainly will draw audiences, and will probably satisfy the demanding tastes of the Marvel comic book fans.

What originally looked like against-type casting now looks like a shot of genius. Robert Downey Jr. plays the title character, the Superman-with-an-iron-shell who can fly, shoot off weapons and withstand any barrage.

Downey is a rare serious actor who can speak a piece of routine dialogue and, with his inspired delivery, turn it into biting humor. But any actor could disappear under a mound of metal.

So, instead, Downey showcases his immense talents as Tony Stark, the wizard industrialist with a playboy reputation and a knack for trouble. Downey breathes life into the character of Stark, someone who could have been a stiff cardboard cliche.

Stark is captured by terrorists in Afghanistan, and, while in captivity, he invents his iron suit and escapes, destroying his creation in the process. Back home in the U.S., he secretly begins work on a new creation, while also announcing plans to neuter his family’s munitions company.

Such a pacifist turn unhinges Stark Co. henchman Obadiah Stane (a bald, sulking Jeff Bridges), who secretly has career plans of his own. The film’s third act devolves into a stand-off between these once-friendly partners.

In his biggest assignment to date, Jon Favreau (Made, Elf) directs and takes a minor role. Painting by numbers, Favreau follows the script laid out by a quartet of writers who still can’t elevate the story above comic book banality.

Iron Man suffers from not having any true suspense or conflict until late in the film. The background, albeit needed, on Stark and on the creation of the Iron Man takes up entirely too much of the narrative.

Matthew Labatique’s bland cinematography doesn’t elevate the visuals, bathing most exterior scenes in a washed out haze. But Iron Man does deliver what its fans will most demand, such as plenty of explosions, a parade of high-tech gadgetry, computer-generated sequences highlighting the action and numerous beautiful women, including Gwyneth Paltrow, looking lovely, as Stark’s side-kick Pepper Potts.

Iron Man

***

Rated PG-13, 126 minutes.
Opens today.