Count me as one of the many who were skeptical about the controversial actor's success in playing the dashing billionaire genius that is Tony Stark. Robert Downy was never one of my favorite actors, never an actor I despised either. I was always lukewarm about him, although I recognized his talent and uniqueness in "Hearts and Souls". Perhaps it was his past battle with drugs and rehab that swayed that emotion.

All lukewarm feelings are now gone, however, with the box office hit that is Iron Man. I've always been ignorant of the Iron Man's past. I knew only that Tony Stark was a billionaire who decided to create a near invincible robot to help mankind. That was it. Iron Man was never one of the popular favorites. Spiderman, Superman, and Batman always seemed to be the obvious choice for the "favorite superhero" category.

This is why I was so pleased with the movie. I got a glimpse of who Tony Stark really was - A debonair genius with a reckless tendency who made a complete metanoia when he realized just what his weapons were doing to the world. After a near-death experience, which lost him his physical heart, he ironically, but befittingly gained a heart (in the more meaningful sense), while still retaining his charming, over the edge personality. Much of the movie focuses on how the Iron Man we have come to know of (The yellow and red robot suit) was created, and the visual effects were so mouthwatering that there was no dull moment, even as he spent a considerable time on his lab tinkering away.

And then there was the chemistry between Pepper and Tony - which is, hands down, the only pairing I have ever appreciated in these marvel superhero-type movies. The attraction between the two is undeniable, but what is more enthralling is their need for each other - how one is pretty much the only person in the other's life. It is such an overwhelming emotion that was thankfully not downplayed by the cool action sequences. The magic that was created by combining the kick-ass with the poignant is what truly made this movie an enjoyable one, a magic that could not have been created without Robert Downey's infinitesimal talent.

I will be suffering very much as I anxiously wait for the second installment!