In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Thursday 9 May 2013

IRON MAN 3 [2013]

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director Shane Black reunites with Robert Downey, Jr. on the third instalment of the ridiculously popular Iron Man franchise.
A little darker than the previous films, IM3 still delivers on the loud, vibrantly colored action sequences and enthusiastic performances from all parties involved.  The main attraction is the humorous chemistry & witty banter between RDJ and Don Cheadle, which I never tired of, unlike the climax, which was a lot of fun but eventually felt over-done and cliche.  Sure there's plenty of annoyances sprinkled throughout the film (particularly the introduction of an annoying kid) but it has just enough well-paced adrenaline and biting dialogue to rise above the half-baked previous film.

3 "bedtime stories" out of 5

6 comments:

Dr Faustus said...

I (surprisingly) didn't find the kid irritating. I liked the way they communicated. Pepper irritates me more. I have zero wish to see Paltrow naked but, come on, fire burns clothing!

The bits of the film that focussed on Tony’s relationship with the people around him, and his weak human self Vs his armoured Iron self were the best moments for me. When he was half and half he used the best parts of both. That was great.

I also didn't mind at all how the Mandarin thing played out, expect that it slightly diminished some of the more scathingly political comparisons he made with regards to his methods.

Most of the fights were well handled, right up until the expected bore-fest at the end. If it hadn't tipped over into that I’d have loved it more.

Post-credits scene wasn't very interesting, although it was nice to see those two had kept up the friendship developed in the other film.

A 2nd viewing might change things but for now:

3½ new distractions out of 5

cuckoo said...

I think the only reason the kid gets away with it is Downey bounced off him very well with some great lines to boot.

I understand Pepper and where she's coming from. I'm okay with that. I just don't like Paltrow. Seeing Paltrow naked would be like seeing the Pale Man from Pan's Labyrinth.

I was just fine with the whole Mandarin thing. I wish Rebecca Hall played a bigger part though.

I loved the end. Super dizzying fun that didn't try to outdo The Avengers which it might try to do and then fail utterly.

I liked the post-credits scene. It wasn't a teaser for another film which I was growing tired of. It was simply a throwaway gag and that's it.

Still a 3 with the 2nd viewing.

Dr Faustus said...

Agreed, if the kid had been given lengthy scenes on his own he would've surely become an annoyance, but using him as a target for Stark’s wit and as a means to help him get into the mindset of reasserting his future helped ease that, or maybe it just helped divert my attention from it.

I can imagine a lot of people will rage over the Mandarin storyline. I’m glad I was spoilered on it. I got the full surprise.

cuckoo said...

I'm curious for the Blu-ray to come out next month for special features.

Apparently Black's original cut was a little over 3hrs long. It did feel a little over-trimmed in bits. I'll bet there's some great supporting character bits that ended up on the cutting room floor.

Dr Faustus said...

I meant to say "...glad I wasN'T spoilered on it."

I wonder will some get reinstated or just get added as deleted scenes? I'd be keen for a longer version.

cuckoo said...

I'm guessing just added as deleted scenes.

I found with comic book movies, they only receive extended editions on home video if they tanked at the box office.

Don't know why. It's probably not even on purpose. It's just that way. :laugh: