REEL CRITIC:

Robert Downey Jr. appeared to be a star on the rise in 1987 with his career-making performance as Julian in “Less Than Zero.” After a few years of solid performances, Downey jumped to the “A-list” with his Oscar-nominated performance in the title role of “Chaplin” in 1992.

Unfortunately, this success was followed by years of drug-related arrests and outrageous behavior that reduced the actor to being mere tabloid fodder. Virtually un- insurable, Downey appeared in a series of forgettable roles and just recently gained back a measure of respectability.

Downey now stars in the first blockbuster of summer, “Iron Man,” playing arms dealer Tony Stark. In 1995 Downey appeared in a film titled “Restoration,” referring to his character’s reentry into society after years of banishment due to unacceptable behavior.

Life is imitating art as “Iron Man” certainly represents redemption for Downey. It is a large-budget, mass-appeal movie and could be the first chapter of a new superhero franchise.

Downey is perfectly cast as the scientific genius Stark, who is a booze-fueled international playboy with the celebrity status usually reserved for rock stars. Guided by business partner Obadiah Stane (a bearded Jeff Bridges with a shaved head), Stark has developed ever more sophisticated weapons systems and gotten quite rich doing it.

The complexity and technical challenge of developing the weapons is what drives Stark and he never gives much thought as to the devastation they cause.

Stark has rationalized his career by believing his weapons actually promote world peace by instilling fear and respect in America’s enemies.

In the opening scenes of the film, Stark has traveled to a remote desert test site to demonstrate his latest weapons system, the Jericho missile, for the military. Returning to the airfield after the demonstration, Stark’s military convoy is attacked, and he is taken captive by terrorists.

Stark’s fellow captive, Yinsen (Shaun Toub), inserted an electromagnet in his chest powered by a car battery that keeps him alive by sending shrapnel away from his heart. Stark, assisted by Yinsen, is ordered to build a version of the Jericho missile or be executed. Realizing he will be killed in any event, Stark instead builds a metal suit equipped with various weapons.

The suit, while crude, allows Stark to escape. Once back in society, Stark realizes his life’s work has wrought massive destruction and seeks a way to make amends. Determined to take his weapons back from the wrong hands, Stark continues work to perfect his metal suit with the help of his loyal assistant, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and various robotic helpers.

Having an actor of Downey’s talent in the lead role adds considerable heft to the film. Downey is required to display the full gamut of emotions and easily pulls off the transformation of the shallow arrogant lothario into altruistic super hero. In addition to Bridges and Paltrow, the cast also features Terrence Howard as military honcho Jim Rhodes and the imposing Faran Tahir as the terrorist leader Raza.

Of course acting performances are important, but the centerpiece of any super hero film is the action sequences and special effects. On this score, “Iron Man” ranks among the best of the genre. Action films walk a fine line these days as technology allows filmmakers to do almost anything. Unfortunately, this has resulted in cartoon-like effects that defy physics and force the audience to suspend belief to an uncomfortable level.

“Iron Man” does not make this mistake. The scenes in the lab while Stark is developing his creation are interesting and intentionally comical. When “Iron Man” takes to the air, you believe a man in a robotic suit can fly.

Downey, now clean and sober, has said he is tired of working hard to make films nobody sees. Since “Iron Man” grossed more than $100 million domestically in its first weekend of release, Downey has a major hit on his hands for the first time in his career. Like one of the other great actors of his generation, Johnny Depp, Downey has now created an indelible character for which he will be remembered.

Given the success of this film which details the origin of the title character, a sequel is inevitable. If the filmmakers can maintain the quality of the first installment, this franchise will rival the success of any other comic book hero.

VAN NOVACK is the assistant vice president of institutional research and assessment at Cal State Long Beach and lives in Huntington Beach with his wife, Elizabeth.