What Parents Should Know
Parents need to know that, thanks to lots of hype and non-stop marketing, kids will be clamoring to see this fast-paced, action-packed comic book-based adventure. But it's definitely more age-appropriate for teens than younger children. Although much of the violence is clearly meant to be based in the realm of sci-fi and fantasy -- and/or is shown at a distance -- there's lots of it, from massive explosions to children held at gunpoint to super-powered fistfights. Some of the violence is war themed, and some characters get hurt and/or die. While much is made of lead character Tony Stark's devil-may-care lifestyle of fun and frolic, viewers also see him turn away from the more irresponsible aspects of playboyhood. Language is minimal, and sexual content is more suggested than shown overall -- though there are a few eyebrow-raising moments.

Families can talk about the popularity of comic book movies. Do they speak to escapism or darker fantasies about power? Also, how does the fact that much of their violence is based in fantasy affect their impact? How is it different watching human characters get hurt than robots and other beings? Families can also discuss the fact that Iron Man may be a do-gooder, but he's no Boy Scout. Can a heroic character still be flawed? Does that make them more heroic or less?

Common Sense Media Review
Bringing another Marvel Comics hero to the big screen, IRON MAN begins as brilliant billionaire industrialist/inventor Tony Stark ( Robert Downey Jr.) is abducted during a weapons demonstration tour in Afghanistan. Grievously wounded by the very weapons his company manufactures, Stark is forced by his terrorist captors to build a missile; instead, he designs a high-tech suit of armor to make his escape. Returning to America, he wonders how the bad guys got hold of his company's products and vows to set things right with the help of a rebuilt, stylish new iteration of the powered exoskeleton that made his escape possible.

Iron Man knows that it's a comic book movie; not only does it have all the plot points and moral messages that we're used to from Spider-Man , Batman Begins, and others in the genre, but it also subtly mocks and twists them. Director Jon Favreau keeps the film light and bright; the special effects are impressively crafted, and the setup for another film is handled gently and well. The plot touches all the bases of the traditional "origin story" (how our hero becomes a superhero, his first outing with his new powers, etc.), and it shows plenty of hustle and style as it does so.

But if there's any one thing that makes Iron Man more than just a run-of-the-mill superhero film, it's Downey Jr. His work here is funny, human, heroic, and completely engaging, capturing the brisk breezy laugh lines, the adrenaline-fueled action, and the moments of bold purpose that every superhero has to have as they start out. He gives both Stark and Iron Man a little swagger and coolness -- in a field normally filled with nerds ( Spider-Man's Peter Parker) or stiffs ( Superman's Clark Kent), it's a refreshing change.

Teens will also enjoy Spider-Man 2 and Batman Begins .