With a $1.5bn grossing blockbuster breaking various records the previous year, 2013's two movies had a lot to show for what was to come in the second phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. To start it off is everyone's favourite not-so-invincible armoured Avenger Iron Man, back for a third solo adventure as what was presumably the last film for the character. At the time, Robert Downey Jr's contract was coming to an end, with Iron Man 3 marked as his last appearance in the role and the ending open to him retiring from the role or coming back for another stint. Of course, three years later we all know that not only is he returning for Age Of Ultron and the two-part Infinity War but also for next year's Captain America: Civil War. But as a finale for the Iron Man series, how does this third instalment - now in the hands of Shane Black - fare against its predecessors, or even Marvel Studios' recent big hit?
Set during the festive season, at a time where all is meant to be jolly, all is not well for Tony Stark (Downey Jr) as he's suffering PTSD following the events of Marvel's Avengers Assemble, causing restless nights and countless revisions and upgrades to his Iron Man technology. It also affects his relationship with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), who's resumed her place at Stark Industries and brought friend Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) up with her. But when Hogan is in the vicinity of a terrorist ploy at the Chinese Theater and is caught in the blast, Stark exacts revenge on Ten Rings leader the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) with a threat - leading to a house attack which strips Stark down to just his prototype Mark XLII. Now presumed dead, Stark is left fighting alone against the Mandarin and his Extremis army (people with healing and heating abilities), but not all is as it seems...
With new blood in control of the series, a new lease of life is created. Unlike the previous two Iron Man films, the film not only has a stronger story - having the first film fit the standard introductory tale and the second be riddled with various strands which were badly woven into a coherent story - but also a wittier script, courtesy of a post-Avengers world where the Marvel movies need to be funny. But that's far from a bad thing, as Iron Man 3 is arguably the funniest film from the MCU to date - mainly thanks to that twist. But that's not to say the film loses its values for a complete new interpretation of the characters.
Downey Jr is a god amongst his co-stars, spearheading his trilogy as he should with his best performance to date. Not only does he manage to portray the PTSD aspect of the character incredibly well, but also succeeds in bringing this character to act the right way in the situations presented to him. His delivery is on-point and certainly admirable. By his side is fellow armoured hero Rhodey (Don Cheadle), who’s War Machine gear has been given a lick of paint to be more public-friendly and renamed Iron Patriot, and he's given a lot more to do than in his first appearance in Iron Man 2 - and with a meatier role comes a stronger performance. As part-time friend and occasional sidekick to Stark, Cheadle makes the character his own and proves to sceptics that he's a worthy replacement to Terrace Howard. Meanwhile, Gwyneth Paltrow shows she can do an action scene or two after sticking to the damsel in distress role for the last couple films and new addition Rebecca Hall as Maya Hansen is a nice touch, even if she isn't given a whole lot to do and what she does have isn't particularly riveting. On the younger side of the spectrum sits future Dinosaur fighter Ty Simpkins as a non-annoying child - an unfortunate rarity for films!
On Team Evil sits Ben Kingsley's terrorist Mandarin - supposed leader of the organisation that Obadiah Stane hired to kidnap Stark in the first instalment of the trilogy - and he's an absolute blast. As a controversial character for fans of the comics, the changes made are for the better as the production team not only modernised the character but placed him in a world where people just assume that anyone that's not American can be classed a bad guy. It breaks the mould in a great way, and leaves plenty of room for Guy Pearce's Aldrich Killian to show his acting prowess. Pearce is great in the role, if not a little too maniacal at times, but does well bouncing off Downey Jr and even Cheadle. As for his henchmen, they're not entirely noteworthy outside of being bad guys. True, they get suitable finales, but a bit more character would be preferred - but hey, beats having yet another robot vs robot fight!
Iron Man 3 is the best Iron Man film thus far. Whilst still a stone's throw away from Marvel's Avengers Assemble, it has all the spectacle and Stark to be a worthy successor thanks to its performances and screenplay. It looks like a better film than Favreau's attempts, even if it still needs a bit of oiling. 8/10.
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