I took my girlfriend with me to see Iron Man last night. She was actually quite willing to do so, and seems to love movies like Batman, Spider-Man, etc…I’m happy! Anyway, she seemed to be highly impressed with the story and the characters.

Me, I was just drooling at the prospect of seeing another comic book come to life. Tony Stark is another “regular guy” who ends up becoming something extraordinary. Sure, he’s rich beyond words, but he’s also extremely intelligent and definitely has his share of personal problems, from a history of womanizing to an alcohol problem. However, he’s got no other superpowers save for the suit he builds, which again is through his own genius. He’s even got a major weakness in that he’s got shrapnel in his chest which threatens to kill him except for a powerful electromagnet that keeps the shards from digging into his heart and killing him.

Characters like these in movies are what really make comic books appealing, I think, or at least these types of characters. They have stories that, even though their lives may be different, we can at least relate to their troubles. Peter Parker (Spider-Man) is just a kid, but he has personal struggles within his non-superhero life that makes him all that more interesting. The girlfriend was musing how these movies also tend to have good stories with them, simply because there is decades worth of material and all sorts of aspects of the characters’ lives have been fleshed out already.

In short, it’s another hit. It’s got action, a little romantic tension for the ladies, and it’s full of laughs and general good times. I think this was the first movie produced by Marvel Studios since it was formed, and I hope their next movies will rock just as much. There was a preview for the new Incredible Hulk movie, which I’m sure will make up for the suckitude of the last Hulk movie.

Oh, and if you haven’t seen Iron Man but plan on it… stay until after the credits. Especially if you loved the movie. You’ll see.