*****SPOILER FREE*****
What do you do after The Avengers? Once the big party is over, where do you go? – Problematic questions for both Tony Stark and Marvel Studios.
It’s a dilemma both know all too well. Without the scope of an extra-terrestrial playing field, Iron Man 3 marvels in a feeling of bringing things back down to earth, and it’s all the better for it.
The natural studio compulsion is to no doubt go bigger, harder and faster but without his hero friends here, grander is a lengthy reach.
And in recognising the enormity of trying to beat Avengers, Marvel has shown once more that in continued franchise development in the hero universe, they have no peers, well not yet at least.
Phase two initiated then and how. Where it would be conceivable to think that turning it down a notch would prove tricky, Writer/Director Shane Black has turned a potential pitfall on its head to arguably go smaller, but most impressively – closer, to conclude perhaps this part of Tony Stark’s story.
Naturally, Downey Jnr has owned Iron Man so far and arguably The Avengers, but this is every bit about Tony Stark, the Iron Man without the suit.
Separating the man from the can after an assault on Stark’s Malibu home, Marvel’s cheerleader is humbly stripped to mortality once more, having to rely on the same intellect that crafted an escape from caves in Afghanistan.
That assault after Stark’s calling out of nemesis Mandarin comes after sleepless nights and all manner of new tinkering and panic attacks, it’s a darker Stark than seen before, essentially suffering post-traumatic stress and unfamiliar inferiority after brushes with wormholes and death.
Iron Man 3 picks up the pieces superbly with a full-circle story of the evolution of an egotist to a humanist, to try to answer through a journey of retribution the question of whether the man makes the suit or the suit makes the man. Like DC’s Bat, the susceptible man under the metal hood makes for a far more relatable story.
But don’t worry, everyone’s favourite corrosive hero isn’t going soft. Downey excels once more, his put downs as scathing as ever with the midway introduction of youthful tinkerer Harley, an unlikely ally that makes for some warming interplay without Stark betraying his caustic indifference. It also proves a nice mirror for Stark the kid seen in IM2 adding to the feeling of vulnerability outside of the suit but the emotional charge isn’t quite electrified to its full potential.
Black’s deepening twisty plot not only gives a balanced mix of mayhem, laughs and sentiment but also layered bad guys in Mandarin’s (Ben Kingsley) full frontal campaign of terror and Guy Pearce’s superb right hand evil genius Aldrich Killian, creator of Extremis, a brain enhancer capable of repairing lopped off limbs, generating a genuinely menacing Terminator like army capable of getting Anthony and Co’ very hot under the Iron collar.
A sub-plot of mysterious bombings seemingly impossible to execute is a brilliant irony on former warlord Stark’s legacy, with damaged patriot’s part of the war machine he was once a key cog in.
The renamed War Machine now repainted red, white and blue as Iron Patriot and anchored by Lt. Col James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) provides the welcome buddy antics that Black has founded his stainless reputation on ever since Lethal Weapon and his other seminal action vehicles, not to mention his other Downey Jnr. collaboration Kiss Kiss Bang Bang. Assisted by Drew Pearce their screenplay is a perfect fit for the Iron Man/Downey brand of bombastic bravado providing as much punchy prose to equal the eye-popping action.
The intimate focus on Stark matters occasionally labours proceedings, stealing away further potential for action outside of the standout set pieces of the Malibu home ocean descent and the rocket fuelled finale, but it’s a frantic enough end that qualifies as a more than satisfactory pay off.
The change in tone still leaves room for fun and lots of it with support from Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) playing a larger part as Tony’s rock, more so than ever when getting to suit up.
Frantic, fun and very ferrous, for Marvel Studios’ first third there’s proof that bigger isn’t always better and often, smarter. Rather than beginning to rust Iron Man 3 is even shinier than ever.
Nice!!
indeed! 🙂
Nice review. Can’t wait to see this one.
Thank you Orange, I really liked it, probably/arguably the best Iron Man so far.
Sweet!!!!! This should be good, can’t wait.
I really liked it, my fave of the three TBH
Great review. Cant wait to see it.
It’s good Issy. Not out for a few days in the States, your there aren’t you? UK seems to be getting some releases earlier dunno why?
Honestly I just glanced tv the review since I haven’t seen it but I love all of these high ratings!!!
no worries, I appreciate the view and the like the same. I know plenty haven’t seen it and dont want to spoil their enjoyment (even though there are no spoilers!)
Gotcha! In that case ill be hopping back up to read it. We can compare notes after I get to see it this weekend!
alrighty then! 😉
I haven’t seen the movie yet (it doesn’t out in the States till this Friday I believe), so I can’t comment on whether I agree with your evaluation, but more importantly, I think this review is very well written. You clearly have talent for writing clearly, legibly, and coherently, and that talent is an invaluable one. It is definitely significantly better than average for most bloggers, at the very least, lol
wow! I don’t know what to say. I’m blushing ha ha!. Seriously praise like this is fantastic and much appreciated, thank you very much, you have clearly taken the time to write so much, so once more – thanks! I hope you like the movie.
Just giving credit where credit is due. I like to think that writing is one of my greatest strengths, and as part of that, I feel that I’m good at recognizing solid writing when I see it.
As you can tell, I frequently disagree with some of you opinions regarding film, but I believe that you debate and defend your points very well. Just as I always say for movies, it’s not the content that matters, but the way a movie (review) presents that content 🙂
well, I appreciate it. nothing wrong with disagreeing, people often take offense, I used to, not anymore because it is not cool. there are ways to defend a point of view and they are ways not to, glad you are able to recognise that, that says a lot about you and if everyone agreed all the time there wouldn’t be a lot of honesty and it would get boring very quick. 😉
I am sure we will find something we agree on, it has to happen one day lol 😉
Hell yes!! Nice review. Can’t wait to see this!
hope you like it Nick!
Nice review. I’m looking forward to seeing this film.
Thank you CKCK, hope you like it
Nice review Kev. Really looking forward to this, glad it still has what it takes and hasn’t become stale.
Thanks Terry! They did enough different to make it worthwhile and it was quite refreshing in some regards to not go bigger and brasher. the non action elements really worked.
I very much agree with you, good start to phase 3 and serious bump up from Iron Man 2 😀
absolutely, and didn’t it need a bump after two, mannnnn!?
Phase two begins and it’s off to a good start.
Yep, bring on Thor 2. Or at least a better trailer 😀
yeh, trailer was a little bit of a let down.
I know youre a fan bro but these types of films are never that high up in my priority list. Hell, I’ve still not got around to The Avengers or The Dark Knight Rises and I own them both. I’ve still not seen Iron Man 2 either but I did actually quite like the first one. I lasts end up putting other films before these superhero ones but you give a fine account of this nonetheless.
In just a big kid really. Their both good those two,hero movies are better than they ever was these days. Iron man two was okay.thank you Mark. I await your next post my friend 😉
I do enjoy superhero movies but need to be in the mood normally. I should have a post up 2moro and you can tell me if you notice that I was hungover when I wrote it? 😉
Look out for spelling, grammar and feck – check!
LOL. Theres a high chance! 😉
Looking forward to it this weekend for sure. Does it hurt that I haven’t seen #2?Your recap was very helpful.
Nice review, glad you enjoyed this one as well! 🙂
Thanks Chris certainly did. Some split views on this but I sit firmly in the pro IM3 camp.
Better than Iron Man 2 is the nicest thing I can say about this film. But I enjoyed your thoughts on the film almost as much as I enjoyed checking out Paltrow’s abs.
not a fan then Jedi? I just can’t decide if Paltrow is hot!? 😉
It was shiny and flashy but as empty as Iron Man’s armor on remote control.
ha ha, nice…! too many remote control suits, yes, fun and flashiness yes. I admit to forgiving it a lot, but I love Iron Man I guess. I have not been about much last few days, have you reviewed it yet?
well my portion is complete so I feel free to read and comment on others reviews. I think it is going up on our site on Thurs or Fri.
alrighty then, I shall look out for it.
Enjoyed the review! Also enjoyed the film, but definitely had some problems with it. Still, much more fun than Iron Man 2 and Downey Jr was really good once again.
agree and glad you like the review.Iron Man 2 was very poor for me and without Downey, the franchise would not be as good that’s for sure.