I saw Iron Man the first night it opened.

I never read the comic. I knew very little about the story line. But I love movies. And I really love action movies.

As far as comic book-based films go, I had always held Spiderman as the pinnacle…it was the movie that others had to live up to. And so far, nothing touched it (although Batman Begins came awful close).

But Iron Man…well, Iron Man surpassed all expectations that I had going into it. In fact, in my mind, it passed Spiderman as the best comic book-based film ever made. There was action, comedy and a little romance. It was campy. It was witty. And it kicked butt.

And when it was over, most of the audience did the one thing that I wished more audiences had the guts to do…they applauded.

That is what a movie is supposed to do. Invoke an emotion so great that you can’t hold it in.

So I say “amen!” to those folks that wish to applaud after a movie! tell the rest of the audience what you thought…let it out!

Just do me one favor…shut up during the movie!