Iron Man 3

Release: Summer 2013
Director: Shane Black
Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce
Details: 12A/ PG 13, 130mins


Unless you were living in a Chinese pipe last year you'll know The Avengers was a) wildly and surprisingly successful and b) really really good! It was for many, including me, THE best comic book film of all time, certainly aided by the hype and anticipation surrounding the build up, with the introduction of Thor, Captain America and Iron Man. I poured all my excitement into the Avengers and whilst it was ultimately worth it (I had multiple nerdgasms seeing the team finally together in the last battle sequence, which never happens), the aftermath left me a bit deflated, having to start back at square one again.

So Iron Man wasn't really on my radar, which as it turns out, was probably a good thing, because when I went to see it at the cinema, I was pleasantly surprised by how great it was. Although, maybe I shouldn't have been surprised. I mean, the quality of Marvel's films has been steadily increasing (there about) the past few years to a point where they are consistently and reliably above average. Whilst the Avengers is still the pinnacle, and will likely remain that way (forever?), Iron Man 3 takes all the ingredients that made Tony Stark the 'genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist' everyone loved, and throws them together.

The story isn't drastically inventive and basically boils down to - bad guy plus new weapon equals global terrorist threat - but that's not what makes Iron Man 3 so watchable - its all the details. Tony's post traumatic stress from the events of the Avengers is a nice realistic footnote. The plot twist half way through the film regarding the villain was a bold and fitting move. Taking away Tony's suit was a nice throwback to the first film and we really got to see his intelligence come to life. Some really nice set pieces like the civilians falling out the plane and Iron Man's daring rescue. The humour is at the top of its game. I could go on, but basically, it's got a bit of everything that kept my family, my girlfriend and me all very amused - and my girlfriend is a harsh critic!

Whilst we all thought it was the best Iron Man yet it would be nice to know that it was the last in the solo series. I'm ready to move on and be excited by a new hero brought to life. Bring on Ant Man, Doctor Strange, Black Panther or anyone! In fact, bring on 'Guardians of the Galaxy' next year - now that's new and daring - reminiscent of the Avengers when it was first touted. I mean I'll probably go see Thor and Cap 2, and they'll probably be decent, but it just doesn't fill me with the same anticipation that they did the first time round.

8/10

An excellent, safe choice cinema trip for everyone.