If Tony Stark were a real man, we’d be in trouble! In his latest superhero episode, Stark forsakes his own home, and frankly, I think if my life depended on him he may not swoop down from the heavens in time to save me either.
MARVEL’s third and final installment of the “Iron Man” franchise, “Iron Man 3” was somewhat disappointing; the plot was thin and difficult to follow, but the over-the-top action sequences and multiple Iron Man clones more than make up for the critical adult eyes watching this Superhero fight his foes with less grace than usual.
Without giving the entire movie away, I can tell you that as a HUGE Tony Stark fan the film did not do Iron Man justice for several reasons. Chief among these is that the genius Tony Stark did not shine through in this sequel; his attempt at being more human, emotional, and trying to (feebly) maintain a relationship with Pepper Hots Pots (Gweneth Paltrow) was not in line with the persona Stark had become in the first two films — a suave yet brilliant Stark was not found here.
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark is still the master of this character; the walk, talk, and custom goatee belong solely to RDJ, and this is what keeps most of us coming back to see the “Iron Man” films. In this movie, however, we are instead presented with a more mortal, petulant, and selfish mad scientist of sorts. In fact, the whiz engineer spends practically the entire movie with his chiseled face covered in blood.
This Iron Man is one who throughout the film gives in to his cerebral callings and doesn’t budge when his heart beckons. There is a short lived friendship with a little boy that almost touches your heart, but leaves you feeling jipped by the film’s end with only a materialistic acknowledgment towards the lad for his part in helping him deal with some bad guys.
The other usual characters include Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau and a Stan Lee cameo. One of my favorite parts of this new film is the character played by Ben Kingsly. He provided the comic relief in this mayhem and did it superbly!
The special effects and violence are plentiful and innovative in this reel, and kids probably no younger than 9 might enjoy the thrilling spectacle of technology displayed in this movie without having to pay too much attention to the plot which felt disconnected at times. Keep in mind “Iron Man 3” is rated PG-13, and there are a few spicy and some very gory scenes that aren’t appropriate for younger kids.
In a way, I am not glad this was the final installment for the “Iron Man” series because of the unsatisfying ending. Everything in this film seems to have been blown to smithereens (does anyone still use this word?), indicating that this is it … or is it?
If only to redeem the franchise’s reputation, I hope Tony Stark comes back in his own movie — not as part of the “Avengers” films — and makes us proud of filling in his superhero suit once again.
“Iron Man 3” is in theaters now.
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