Studio: (2 hrs. 10 min.)
Plot: When Tony Stark’s world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.
Cast: Robert Downey Jr. Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce, Jon Favreau, Rebecca Hall
Rating: PG-13
Bottom Line: **1/2
By Laurence Washington
Before I get wound up on “Iron Man 3,” I have a short bit of business to takes care of regarding 3-D – which is just another in a long series of attempts by Hollywood to separate moviegoers from their hard-earned dollars.
Besides the fact that 3-D movies cost more, and that you have to wear goofy glasses suitable for welding, 3-D detracts from the whole movie going experience. And the 3-D experience in “Iron Man 3” was just damn annoying, because it didn’t work. Edges of the screen were blurry or fuzzy. Save your money, see it in 2-D during the afternoon. You’ll thank me later.
That aside, “Iron Man 3” is much better than “Iron Man 2.” However, I’m not sure if that’s saying much. I will say, do not see any movie this summer that has number or Roman numeral in the title – unless it is recommended by a dear friend.
Robert Downey Jr. returns as wise-cracking industrialist Tony Stark, who is suffering from post-traumatic stress after his battle with invading aliens and flying through a wormhole in last summer’s “Avengers.” Stark’s PTS causes problems in his now committed relationship with his secretary Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). But all of Stark’s problems are suddenly put on hold when he raises the ire of an international terrorist/megalomaniac called the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley).
The Mandarin begins a string of high-profile bombings that prompts Tony Stark to issue a challenge for the Mandarin to come after him. He does. The Mandarin’s terror attacks didn’t make for the usual summer comic book fodder in the wake of the Boston bombings. I found “Iron Man 3” more disturbing than escapism. Not to give too much away, but I would have enjoyed “Iron Man 3” more if Iron Man’s suit actually worked properly half the time. It kinda reminded me of the Star Ship Enterprise where the shields constantly fail. There is a major plot twist that audience will enjoy. OK, ‘nuff said. Don Cheadle works well as Col. “Rhodey” Rhodes who dons his Iron Patriot armor to take on The Mandarin, but it’s Tony Stark who saves the day in time for the closing credits. (Remember Marvel fans, sit through the entire credits to see the short standard vignette.)
Source: Blackflix.com
This was printed in the June 2, 2013 – June 15, 2013 Edition
