Directed by:
Shane BlackCinematography:
John TollComposer:
Brian TylerCast:
Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley, Paul Bettany, Rebecca Hall, Guy Pearce, James Badge Dale, Jon Favreau, Stan Lee (more)VOD (4)
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A billionaire who escaped captivity with a suit of armor he created, who now struggles to keep his technology in the right hands. Sequel to Iron Man and Iron Man 2, the seventh installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, being the first major release in that franchise since the crossover film The Avengers. (Disney / Buena Vista)
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Reviews (14)
Lethal Weapon: Iron Man Xmas Edition after which I may or may not have rather watched a comedy spin-off called Mandarin: Origin or a kids’ popular science show, Iron Child and his mentor, The Mechanic. A good old action buggy comedy (they say that this format is out of fashion... I’m glad they didn’t tell Black about that!) that has everything it should; from the very beginning right up to the eighties-style final credits. And when you compare it to other routine episodes, I needed so little; a good screenplay (in terms of this genre, of course), a proper villain and to make Stark the direct protagonist of the action scenes. Which meant the end of strict division into mutually unrelated passages of a “situation comedy with Stark" versus an “uninteresting, impersonal action with a CGI Iron Man".
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I kind of expected it and I'm glad for it anyway. The main star of the third Iron Man is actually Shane Black, who was as comfortable with Iron Man as anyone before him. The trailers beckoned to the darkened paths trodden by The Dark Knight, but the result is ultimately the most refreshing summer mix of a spectacular blockbuster adventure. For over two hours, I admired how Black makes it a personal race to be the better screenwriter or director, without compromising his claims to be the most entertaining character in the Marvel universe. He also does it with a sovereignty that is admirable in a man who is only in his second year behind the camera. Iron Man has ceased to be the pedestal of Downey's ego and instead is firmly gripped in a story that works in all areas without any of them fundamentally excluding each other: From great dialogues, perfect characters, great action, and an emotional whirlwind. For example, the episode with the little boy, where two tech enthusiasts meet, simply reminds the viewer that some of us never grow up. And then there’s the unconventional love story... when it's personal, you just perceive the action a bit differently, and honestly, without the suit. I'm tempted to shower superlatives like I rarely have before, but I'll allow myself at least one single (but for me perhaps quite crucial) criticism: in terms of the ultimacy of the action, the raid on Stark's house is just a slight hair better than the ending, so the action orgasm comes a bit sooner. Anyway, thanks for everything, Shane. And thank you, Marvel, for having the courage to trust your kids with unconventional creators. (How about the Asgardian god in the hands of Alan Taylor?)
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The best Iron Man, sure, but nothing to write home about. It’s the same playful Marvel as we know it, it doesn’t get darker or rougher in any significant way. The one really interesting thing is the twist with the Mandarin, its ambition is something not very common for Marvel, with some tangible overlap, that is. But it all ends after a couple of sentences, the whole thing is quickly forgotten and plot moves forward to the mandatory and pathetic rescue of the scumbags and the American presidents of the world, with inconsistently explained rules and a bland villain. But it’s pretty good fun, even if some of the jokes are repeated, Stark’s seizures look from another (better) film and the action could be more clear and dynamic. What I liked the most were the retro end credits. 7/10
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I probably won't agree with others that Iron Man 3 is the best installment of the franchise, because I like the second one a bit more, but I'm not dissatisfied with this one. On the contrary, I'm cheering, because I've been waiting for this satisfaction as opposed to the boring The Avengers. Particularly with everything that takes place after the destruction of Stark's mansion, the third Iron Man is one of the funniest adaptations of Marvel comics (Thor's position is seriously threatened), it's also a very action-packed film, and it's gratifying that Tony Stark often gets into the action without his suit - for example, during his escape from his captors, which is quite possibly the best scene ever. The script doesn't lack emotion or insight, and I'm glad they're not copying The Dark Knight as much as I feared (the new Superman will be worse). Thanks to Brian Tyler, Iron Man finally has a proper musical theme (I have nothing against Debney). I would deduct points for Guy Pearce’s bland character, who was not very well thought out. In contrast, Ben Kingsley's unique Mandarin was perfect.
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There was no better way to do it after the excessive The Avengers and the boredom of the second film. How do you not make a theater play after a blonde pancake-eater with a hammer hits the ground and New York is threatened by an alien invasion? Make a pure, sometimes even slapstick comedy, which is based on the strongest feature of Iron Man - self-irony, disrespect, audacity. It is no coincidence that Black literally devalues the "sacred" armor, which turns into a pile of recyclable junk. Stark can do without it for most of the film. He is a mechanic, a billionaire, a philanthropist and a laid-back guy who does not lose his humor even during a panic attack. There is something about guilt here and there, but we all know that his only real guilt in the third film is that he remained an outspoken child. It's good that the fatality has diminished and that the third film almost feels like cabaret with a lot of beautiful slips where the floor starts to pathetically stick. Shane Black gave it maximum juice and energy. This is not even about the action that traditionally bothered me at the end with its dull grandeur; it's about cheeky details, small gestures and one of the most luxurious (non) Marvel twists. Favreau managed to film Iron Man as a fun comic blockbuster, while Black filmed Iron Man as Tony Stark sees him. Because he is the Iron Man. And it works great for him.
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Gallery (121)
Photo © Walt Disney Pictures / Zade Rosenthal
![Iron Man Three - Photos](http://image.pmgstatic.com/cache/resized/w663/files/images/film/photos/117/161/117161110_482764.jpg)
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