Iron Man 3 [M]

After the literal out-of-this-world battle with the Avengers in New York, Tony Stark has not been sleeping. How can he when something that huge has rocked his world? He spends his time mass producing Iron Man suits and enveloping himself in his technological projects. But that hobby gets called to a halt when a series of bombings conducted by a terrorist known only as The Mandarin start hitting town. With the President under threat and a close friend put into a coma, Stark dons the suit and determines to stop the Mandarin, but soon he discovers that events from his past have come back to torment his present. 

Forewarning: the next couple of reviews are going to be heavily Marvel themed as I was gearing up to see Age of Ultron. As a Marvel virgin (more or less) I was unaware just how interconnected the entire Marvel universe is so before I went and saw the latest Avengers instalment, my boyfriend informed me that I needed to first watch all the Marvel movies post The Avengers: we’re talking Iron Man 3, Captain America 2, Thor 2, and Guardians of the Galaxy. So, this is what you’re in for for the next four or five reviews. P.S. I have to say right now that I am very glad that I did sit down and watch these flicks because I got a lot more out of Age of Ultron that I would have had I not seen them. 

After the literal out-of-this-world battle with the Avengers in New York, Tony Stark has not been sleeping. How can he when something that huge has rocked his world? He spends his time mass producing Iron Man suits and enveloping himself in his technological projects. But that hobby gets called to a halt when a series of bombings conducted by a terrorist known only as The Mandarin start hitting town. With the President under threat and a close friend put into a coma, Stark dons the suit and determines to stop the Mandarin, but soon he discovers that events from his past have come back to torment his present. 

I don’t really know what there is to say about an Iron Man movie that I haven’t already said before. This flick is pretty good: beginning with an essential flashback for plot-building reasons, featuring a nice balance between action plot and inner emotional turmoil plot, as well as some pretty cool, but in-your-face special effects and action sequences and a really nice twist of the plot that provided a lot of humour too! There’s a lot happening in terms of plot because on the one hand, it’s a terrorist themed action thriller. On the other hand, it’s a story of inner emotional turmoil and romantic friction between Stark and Potts. And then on a third hand, it’s a vendetta story, which is always fun. 

Robert Downey Jr. rocks us again with his being just so cool and Tony Stark, but simultaneously a change has come over him and in this movie he sort of toned down on the arrogance, egotistical charm, and smart-arsedness and opted for internally tormented, slightly moody and melancholy, and angsty. Considering that this is a ‘wrap up’ movie at the end of the day, this is all very well and good and I think that Robert played the part very well given the context. 

At this point I do want to make a point that fans will go and see this movie anyway, but other people who maybe aren’t as enthused should go and see it just for Guy Pearce’s hair. Seriously, it’s fabulous! 

Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Don Cheadle, Rebecca Hall, Jon Favreau, James Badge Dale, Stephanie Szostak, Paul Bettany, Ty Simpkins, and Ben Kingsley (who is hilarious), Iron Man 3 is a pretty kick-arse action movie that keeps you enthused and excited because it’s a good healthy balance of solid and compelling plot and mindless, adrenaline-fuelled action sequences. Filled with drama, comedy, romance, action, suspense, and plot twists, I quite enjoyed it.