Will Iron Man Be the Best . . . .

. . . . super hero movie of all time?

Signs point to yes. Every geek I know is itching to see this film. Perhaps more importantly, National Public Radio reviewed it this morning . . . . . and they hated it. This is a very good sign.

Specifically, the reviewer said the film is fractured by the many sides of Tony Stark. He's the charming billionaire, but he's also the grim captive of jihadists and then the all-powerful do-gooder.

Spoken by a guy who never liked the character of Iron Man in the first place, buddy. I mean, I'm no botanist over here, but I would have thought that it was kind of important to show Tony Stark with a multi-faceted personality, with some of the facets conflicting with others. That's kind of the point, genius.

As a matter of fact, maybe you've heard of other characters written in a similar way--Dr. Bruce Banner, for instance, or Clark Kent, or Peter Parker? Bruce Wayne? They all have somewhat fragmented personalities because they are--and this is sort of a central part of the superhero genre, so pay attention--people who lead two or more completely separate lives. Generally, they have their super hero personas, and then they have their "secret identities." It's a little like violence in a gangster movie--you don't have to like it, but I expect it.