Iron Man 3 - film review

Director Shane Black shows Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) reeling from post-Avengers fallout. No longer the arrogant, boastful peacock from the first film – Stark here is physically and psychologically vulnerable, a shadow of his former self, creating tension with girlfriend Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow) and friend James Rhodes (Don Cheadle).

The story is loosely based on the famous comic book “Extremis” storyline by Warren Ellis, where Stark faces demons and enemies resurrected from his past who aim to eliminate him; in the guise of scientist Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) as well as iconic arch-nemesis 'The Mandarin' (Ben Kingsley) and his terror organisation 'The Ten Rings'.

Cheadle and Paltrow provide satisfying performances as filler characters, but it is Downey Jr and Pearce who display the most charisma as the conflicting, bitter intellectual rivals. Kingsley also does well as 'The Mandarin', turning his character into one of the most intriguing plot devices: I won’t say anything more than he is a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Black’s direction highlights the chemistry that he and Downey Jr share, seen in Black’s directorial debut Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). It also reflects Black’s skill of combining buddy comedy humour with excellent action sequences à la Lethal Weapon I and II whilst settling the 'damage' caused by Iron Man 2.

Overall, Iron Man 3 is a fun film. Athough it is different to its two predecessors, and considering it followed The Avengers, it still did pretty well as a hard act to follow.

Iron Man is playing in cinemas nationwide. Check local listings for details.

Check out trailers and other information at the film’s official site.