It’s a difficult and often failed challenge making a film that caters to both adults and youths. It’s even harder to do so with specific, fiercely guarded source material about a billionaire party-animal who makes the transition from tech dealer to superhero. And yet Jon Favreau makes it look easy in this month’s superhero-summer kick-off, Iron Man.

The first box to tick is the script – a pitch perfect take on the character with enough chuckles to keep you entertained and enough conflict to keep you feeling. The film doesn’t shy away from flawed protagonist Tony Stark’s indulgent roots and neither does it exploit them to the detriment of the character.

Dialogue snaps and pops throughout with all the ease and improvised flow of a Swingers bar-scene (in which Favreau starred back in the day) and helps largely remove awareness of the two-hour runtime.

Box number two is the cast. Robert Downey Jr.’s off-screen reputation preceding him is exactly the point here, and his energy illuminates every scene. In support is a sugar-sweet Gwyneth Paltrow and a commanding Jeff Bridges. Ultimately, though, it’s Downey Jr.’s show and he fills the red metal boots with grace and determination.

The third tick goes to… Iron Man himself. The mixture of effects and suit-work is brilliant and the bang for buck ratio is the right side of excessive. Favreau keeps the action personal with some slickly inter-cut p.o.v.’s and an eye for good choreography but it’ll mean nothing if the pace was off so a repeated hats-off has to go the Favreau for knowing when to shout and when to whisper. And, crucially, when to laugh.

As an origin film Iron Man is all a fan could wish for and all the introduction a new-comer should need. Marvel has done itself proud here. In taking a director with enough cult points and experience in the field a clear line in the sand has been drawn for future projects. Next up: The Incredible Hulk.

And hopefully some news on that Nick Fury scene…

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