Monday 6 May 2013

Film Review: IRON MAN 3 (2013)

Iron Man 3 - poster Director: Shane Black
Writers: Drew Pearce, Shane Black (screenplay), Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby (comic book)
Running time: 130 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 25th April 2013

Watched at the Cinema Sunday 5th May 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having seen and enjoyed the previous two ‘Iron Man’ films, I though it only appropriate that I complete the trilogy with a trip to the cinema. A balmy Sunday afternoon, I knew it wouldn’t be too busy and I was right; only twenty or so punters, mostly youngsters with a parent or two for good measure. I had a most enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment, but was it a fitting end to this trilogy? Well I’ll tell you after this very brief summary.

"Marvel's Iron Man 3"

Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)

Ph: Film Frame

© 2012 MVLFFLLC.  TM & © 2012 Marvel.  All Rights Reserved. Like all the Marvel films this one has quite a complicated plot, so bear with me here. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) discovers he’s suffering from anxiety attacks after the events that unfolded in The Avengers film (no clues here in case you haven’t seen it yet). It doesn’t help that there’s another bad guy in the scene; The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) who is taking credit for all kinds of odd explosions around the US and other parts of the globe. Also, a former lover, Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) has reappeared on the scene, much to the annoyance of Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). It seems that Maya suspects her boss, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) is working for The Mandarin. She is about to reveal this when The Mandarin strikes and blows up Tony Starks house. He survives but everyone else thinks him dead. He uses this to re-charge his batteries and form a plan to strike back at The Mandarin. To this end he elicits the help of War Machine (re-branded ‘Iron Patriot’), Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle). But who is really the power behind the throne?

Iron Man 3 - 4 A very well made film with the kind of top-notch special effects as we’ve come to expect from these guys. I’m not going to get into the 2D vs. 3D debate but I have to say I did watch it in 2D and I can’t really see how 3D would have improved it. All the performances were excellent as usual with Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow taking top plaudits (for me anyway). I also have to mention the young Ty Simpkins who plays a kid, Harley Keener, who befriends Tony when he’s ‘dead’. He played his part very well and we can only hope it leads to bigger things for the young man. I did enjoy this one though despite a rather complicated plot and the usual over-the-top fight sequence towards the end it’s definitely worth a look.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 7.8/10 (based on 78,750 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300854/

MetaScore: 62/100: (Based on 43 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Iron Man 3 - 6 Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 79/100 (based on 288 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 83/100 (based on 140,414 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300854/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

Iron Man 3 - 7 FAVOURITE QUOTES:
The Mandarin: Ladies, children, sheep... Some people call me a terrorist. I consider myself a teacher. Lesson number one: Heroes, there is no such thing.

Tony Stark: I have a lot of apologies to make... Nothing's been the same since New York. You experience things, and then they're over. I can't sleep, and when I do I have nightmares. Honestly, there's a hundred people who want to kill me. I hope I can protect the one thing I can't live without...

Iron Man 3 - 1 Tony Stark: Dads leave. No need to be such a pussy about it.

Mandarin's Guard: [after Tony Stark incapacitates almost all Mandarin guards, the last one quickly surrenders] Don't shoot! Seriously, I don't even wanna work for them. They are so weird!

The Mandarin: My soldiers are coming. NOTHING can save you!
Tony Stark: We'll see about that.

Iron Man 3

Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.)

Film Frame

©Marvel Studios 2013 LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironman?ref=ts&fref=ts
Official Facebook Game: https://www.facebook.com/IronMan3GameS?ref=tn_tnmn
Official twitter: https://twitter.com/iron_man
Official Site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/quills/
Trailer:

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