Directed by Shane Black
Expectations: Moderate. I do like these Marvel movies, but I’ve heard mixed things.
It’s always good to see a movie for yourself to form your own opinion. If I had believed the majority of what I’d heard about Iron Man 3, I might have passed on it. Of course, I’m much too invested in Marvel’s cinematic universe experiment to quit now, but to illustrate a point let’s just say that I might have skipped it. In doing so, I would’ve skipped my favorite of the Iron Man films. Iron Man 3 is entertaining from start to finish, filled with humor and excitement and growth for the on-screen Tony Stark character that excites and satisfies completely. This is exactly what the Iron Man films needed after the fun, but ultimately forgettable Iron Man 2.
In the aftermath of the events of The Avengers, Tony Stark is shaken and unable to focus on anything but his work. He’s dealing with anxiety issues that he’s never had to contend with before and it frightens him. Meanwhile, a mysterious terrorist calling himself The Mandarin has arisen, giving Tony Stark a threat unlike anything he’s yet faced. For a summer blockbuster, it’s also strangely set at Christmas, but it isn’t just “colored lights in the window,” as this backdrop provides a depth that enhances the story’s resonance.
I’d also be remiss not to mention the supporting cast. Ben Kingsley creates a persona on-screen that is absolutely terrifying, perhaps because it feels like he could be a real person in our world. The allusions to Osama Bin Laden are clear, and they work well (although actively using the built-in fear of the American audience does seem kind of easy and cheap). Guy Pearce is equally great at creating a memorable character, and his scenes are among the best in the film. He’s long been a favorite of mine, so it’s nice to see him get such a high-profile, meaty role. Gwyneth Paltrow and Rebecca Hall also do a great job, although I feel like Hall’s character was more of a story device than a true character. But like Pearce, I like her a lot and it’s great to see her in such a high-profile movie.