Iron Man 3

Comic book movies have never been the same since Iron Man. When the film came out in 2008, few would have guessed that it would take a C-list superhero and a has-been actor both into prime-time properties, earning the adoration of critics and moviegoers alike, and by means of a now famous post-credits scene, launched the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Following Iron Man came a string of films which culminated in last summer’s The Avengers , a milestone for cinema, one of the best movies in recent memory, and doing for the comic book movie what Star Wars did for science fiction. So now that we are in the post-Avengers era of both cinema and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Phase 2 kicks off with Iron Man 3.

To say the least, it’s a tough act to follow, and the film has big shoes to fill, and yet, by all the signs of more than accomplishing both. To direct the film, we have Shane Black, who in addition to helming the criminally underrated Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which also starred Downey Jr., was the screen writer for some of the greatest action films ever made, ranging from Lethal Weapon to Predator. In addition to the now fundamental and familiar faces like Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, the movie signed on a number of talented new faces, including the exciting combination of Ben Kingsley and Guy Pearce to play the film’s villainous duo. Top it off with some fantastic trailers, brilliant reception from overseas, from critics and moviegoers, and the fact The Avengers has left me chomping at the bit for the next phase of the Marvel movies, needless to say I was excited for the film.

So do Robert Downey Jr and Marvel’s metal man kick off Phase 2 and the summer movie season with a bang, or are both starting to show signs of rust? Suit up my dear readers, and join me for my review of Iron Man 3.

The movie opens with Tony Stark, suffering from mild PTSD and severe anxiety following his near-death experience at the end of The Avengers, struggling with his place in the world where Norse Gods and Super-Soldiers battle Aliens over control of Earth, a world he had a hand in creating when he first dawned the Iron Man suit. In addition to this, the latest threat to both the United States and Stark is one straight from Starks past – a duo of the terrorist leader known only as the Mandarin, and Machiavellian industrialist Aldrich Killian, that will force Stark to suit up and save the world once more after they hit very close to home. Along the way, Stark will deal with his past misdeeds, his place in the future, face off against terrorists and conspiracies over the control of world power, and choose just what his role will be in the brave new world he helped usher in.

Coming off the heels of the divisive Iron Man 2, this proves to be the sort of follow up to the original Iron Man that many were hoping for, as well as a fine beginning to the post-Avengers Marvel universe. The core of the film, more than anything else, is the completion of Tony Stark’s metamorphosis from the self-absorbed prodigy from the first part of Iron Man to that of a true hero whose first glimmers we saw during The Avengers – by the movies end, there is a sense that the arc his finally reached its conclusion, something we’ve not yet seen in a comic book movie franchise to such scale, despite some other bungled efforts to do so. We see him struggle with facing a world where, among the good guys, he’s the small fry, and where bad guys are increasingly able to hit as hard and hit home, and he’s forced to rely on his wits and courage as much as he is his technology. Much the same, the nature of the threat he’s facing, a multi-layered conspiracy that takes a few brilliant turns over the movie, manages to blend terrifying realism with fantasy to great effect, and it shows that there are some great threats to explore in future Marvel movies. Overall, the movie benefits greatly from Shane Black’s stellar script writing, which manages to balance humor and suspense while oozing with wit from start to finish.

While the Iron Man films, and for that matter, the Marvel films, have always been very character driven, Avengers aside, nowhere has this shined quite as much as it has here. Robert Downey Jr, though it should surprise no one at this point, once again shines as Tony Stark, deftly managing the characters doubts and vulnerability with the trademark snark that made Stark, Downey and Iron Man household names – plus, the fact he portrays PTSD fairly accurately us a major plus when most of Hollywood seems to think it turns you into anti-social mopes or homicidal killers. Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, as Pepper Pots and Col. Rhodes respectively, are given much more to work with than they were given in Iron Man 2, and both get some time to come into their own, especially Rhodes, who by the climax, works with Downey in a fashion that will make buddy cop fans everywhere smile.

Much of the supporting cast does fine as well, but Guy Pearce is the one who steals the show as technician-turned supervillian Aldrich Killian. Ranging from his explosive experiments with genetic engineering to his ties to the Mandarin, he’s proudly got his fingers on several villainous plots and positively revels in his actions – as he points out in the film, subtlety went right out the window after Thor started fighting alien robots in New Mexico. His character is devious, despicable, and Pearce gleefully chews the scenery as Killian – part of what makes both so effective is that Killian serves as a dark mirror for Tony Stark, both being brilliant and charismatic men of science and industry, whit radically different methods and goals, and watching them butt heads is a joy from the initial encounter to the final confrontation. My one disappointment is Ben Kingsley as the Mandarin, who as the terrorist known as the Mandarin, one really wished they’d utilized both to far greater effect – some comic fans may complain especially about a twist concerning the character, but moviegoers will be pleased since the effort makes Killian’s plans all the more devious.

Finally, we come to the direction, cinematography and action, and across the board, the film is a firm reminder why people have been begging Shane Black to do another film since Kiss Kiss Bang Bang came out eight years ago. The direction is solid, and Black manages to give us quite a few memorable moments throughout the film. As usual for the Marvel films, the special effects are top notch, with the always incredibly real-looking Iron Man suits again on showcase here, and joined by Extremis virus effects are chilling when applied to the score of terrorists employed by our villains, to say nothing of the holograms and destruction both portrayed with stunning detail. The highlight of the film is the action however, little surprise given Black’s background work during the action movie golden age – highlights range from the destruction of Stark’s home, to Tony fighting off minions with some acrobatic gun play as his suit assembles, to a final climax, that thanks to its kinetic and chaotic choreography, and some absolutely brutal showdowns, is worth the ticket price alone, and with the possible exception of the battle for Manhattan from The Avengers , may be the best action scene in a comic book movie to date.

I will say the film looks great in IMAX, though 3D made little or no difference. Also, as per the Marvel movies, there is a post-credit scene which, although not Earth shattering, is good for a hearty laugh and lets us know just what one certain member of the Avengers is up to these days.

Overall, the expectations for Iron Man 3 were sky high, and it exceeds nearly all of them. Downey Jr. is brilliant as ever as Stark/Iron Man, and benefits greatly from improved material, and having a fantastic foil in Guy Pearce’s villainous Killian to work off of. The machinations of our films villains manage to be grounded in reality, have touches of fantasy, and yet are diabolical enough to give us one of the best villains and plots in recent memory – though one does wish that it had given us TWO of the best villains, as opposed to one. Shane Black knocks the ball out of the park, especially with his script and fine handling of the films action scenes. Best of all, with the exception of The Avengers, this could well be the best Marvel film yet, proving the Marvel Cinematic Universe has plenty of promising potential as it enters Phase Two.

Iron Man proved to be a memorable moment for moviegoers, surprising us at every turn, and showing us glimmers of the great things to come. Iron Man 3 provides yet another such film, a great film in its own right that perhaps most potently reminds us that the best is yet to come. Needless to say, I was thrilled with the film, and highly recommend it. This makes a fine start for the summer block buster season, and one I highly recommend you see.

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