IRON MAN 3: Movie Review by Gordon Stamper, Jr.

Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures presents Iron Man 3.  Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Jon Favreau, Ty Simpkins, and Ben Kingsley.  Directed by Shane Black.  Written by Drew Pearce and Shane Black.  Cinematography by John Toll.  130 Minutes.  Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief suggestive content.

After the mildly disappointing Iron Man 2, Tony Stark, his metal suit army. and friends are back for a strong third installment of the series.  With formidable villains, character developing subplots, and Downey's charismatic performance as the egotistical billionaire, the film should please both comic book and movie fans alike.

Much of the credit should go to co-writer and director Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang), who explores the established characters effectively and builds new back story material.  Stark's problems begin when he attends a science conference at the end of the last millennium, seducing an attractive botanist who has intriguing new ideas in tissue regeneration (Rebecca Hall), and rudely ignoring Aldrich Killian, a geeky Stark admirer with interesting plans of his own (Guy Pearce).  Back in the present, Killian now reappears as a dapper and successful scientific entrepreneur pitching an important project to Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), the president of Stark Enterprises, with flirtatious flair.  Despite an impressive presentation, Potts has to turn financing and development of Killian's project down, due to its possibly sinister weapon-like implications.  Meanwhile, international terrorist The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley, a menacing mix of the comic book villain and Osama bin Laden) begins threatening the U.S. President and commits a terrorist act on U.S. soil that strikes close to home for Tony Stark.  Stark's angry invitation for the Mandarin to visit his home results in more devastation, and a nationwide search for clues that includes investigating Killian's possible ties to the Mandarin, and travelling to the Southern U.S.  Stark meets up with a little boy (Ty Simpkins, in a winning performance) whose family happens to have a handy garage/shed area where the billionaire lies low and lets the world think he's dead, building mechanical preparations for a major assault on the Mandarin's lair.

What sets Iron Man 3 apart from many other noisy action blockbusters is the human element.  Stark's interactions with others, and Downey's chemistry with his fellow actors, are the keys.  He develops a wise-cracking and amiable friendship with the boy.  The relationship ups-and-downs continue for Stark and Pepper Potts and the audience cares.  Male one-upmanship and cautious friendship is maintained with Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle).  Loyal bonds continue with Stark's longtime chauffeur/bodyguard and now semi-bumbling head of security Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau).  This would be a good film without the spectacular special effects, and is very good with them.  Only an over-extension of the chase and fight sequences in the climax slow the film's momentum. 

Unlike Baz Luhrmann's The Great Gatsby, this is a movie meant to be seen on the big screen.  Iron Man's flights and battles, explosions, and the settings in general are enhanced by the 3-D process, working well even in the darker sequences.  Though the film would be more than adequate if seen in a regular digital screening, there are multiple scenes that leap off the screen in Real 3-D.

Though comic book readers are used to some outlandish plot twists, the latest Iron Man entry will pleasantly surprise even the most jaded fans.  For example, a big action sequence allows a major character the first chance to don an Iron Man suit and flash superhero qualities.  And one hilarious turn of events should bring movie going-crime charges if revealed.

There may be a new incarnation of Jay Gatsby in the theaters, but the cinematic mogul of choice is Tony Stark.  Combining thrilling action sequences, excellent acting, humor, and more than one surprising twist, Iron Man 3 is great summer popcorn movie entertainment.

My rating:  ***1/2 out of ****