What’s it About?
When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
Iron Man 3
Directed by Shane Black
7 out of 10
By Brian
I really enjoyed the first two Iron Man films and was looking forward to watching this one. It’s tough to put your finger on just why this one doesn’t feel right. I had my Iron Man checklist ready:
Sarcastic and funny Tony..check
Humor within the action…check
Formidible bad guy…check
Romantic chemistry…check
But, why didn’t this one succeed like the first two films? The main problem is the story just isn’t compelling. A former business associate turns into a fire guy while running an underground terrorist organzation to flush out the president so the Vice President can take over to pass his legal agendas? That’s really the best idea they could come up with?
There’s thousands of issues of Iron Man available with far more compelling enemies and plot twists that they could of decided on. Another issue I had is that they really make Iron Man far too vulnerable. One of the reasons that super hero films are so engaging is that you have a collection of characters that can do spectacular things. “Iron Man 3” doesn’t even have Tony in the suit for 85% of the film and when they do a lot of his suit’s functions either don’t work or are ineffective against his foes. It’s hard to accept when in the Avengers movies he was taking out an advanced alien race, fighting toe to toe with a God, and hurling a nuclear bomb into a wormhole. Now I’m supposed to believe that because a group of people can turn their skin hot, he’s done for?
My criticisms may sound harsh but I still enjoyed watching “Iron Man 3.” Robert Downey Jr. is typically great in the role, Ben Kingsley has some scene stealing moments, and the special effects are better than ever. It just didn’t click together for me. You could possibly chalk it up to the change in director from Jon Favreau to Shane Black. Black’s tone is certainly darker and more desperate which takes away some of the fun. But, I tend to feel the more of these comic book films come out, the more the writers have to find ways to challenge our super heroes. The problem with Iron Man 3 is it challenged him to the point of making him no longer feeling super.
VIC'S MOVIE DEN 
Good review. I really liked Iron Man 3 and I thought it stood out compared to part 1 and 2. It had a far more darker and gritty tone which I enjoyed.
I also enjoyed the darker tone thanks to Shane Black and his off center humor and vision.
Thanks for reading! Much appreciated!
I enjoyed Iron Man 3, I thought it was quite good, and a lot better than Iron Man 2. The story could have been better, considering the wealth of comic storylines they had to choose from, but the effects and action made up for it in my opinion.
I feel pretty much the same way, Paul. The last act was very enjoyable and well done. Though, some may argue that it spun out of control in the end. Gotta like Brian’s candor in this review.
I still found much to like in the movie. Like always, I appreciate the comments! Thank you for stopping by!
Good review Brian. It was a bunch of fun, but a lot better than the other stand-alone superhero movies, all because it felt like it was playing itself too seriously, yet, not as jokey either. It found just the right middle-ground and totally ran with it.
My main complaint with this film is that it isn’t a superhero film, it was just a little too all over with its Tony Stark. Not sure, also didn’t like that he used a gun to shoot people in a few scenes 😦
I’ve been waiting to post my Review of this, before I commented here. Check here for it by the way.
http://www.blankpagebeatdown.com/movie-review-iron-man-3-2013/
I don’t disagree with most of what you said. However, I liked this movie for those reasons. Where 1 & 2 was more blockbuster grandiose with the action and everything else, 3 brought the story closer to home and made it more of an internal conflict within Tony Stark than any outside threat. Not having him in the suit most of the time, reminded me of his interaction with Cap in THE AVENGERS, where he asked what Tony if the suit was taken away from him. We find out in IRON MAN 3.
Yes, Black’s direction completely changed the tone of the movie from a hyper mainstream super hero movie, to more of a film noir movie with an guys blowing up… I felt the ending completely vindicated the content through out the film. Focusing more on the ‘man’ in Iron Man than anything else. The main plot did need some work, but I feel like it’s secondary to the character arc of Downey Jr. and the future of the character, as the ending implied.