MOVIE OF THE WEEK (5/3/13) IRON MAN 3
KEY CAST MEMBERS: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Guy Pearce, Don Cheadle, Sir Ben Kinglsey, Rebecca Hall, William Sadler, Ty Simpkins and James Badge Dale
WRITER(S): Drew Pearce and Shane Black (screenplay); Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Don Heck and Larry Lieber (comic book on which the film is based)
DIRECTOR: Shane Black
WEB SITE: www.marvel.com/ironman3
THE PLOT: Based largely in part on the acclaimed "Extremis" storyline found in the comic book series, Iron Man 3 finds Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) flashing back to New Year's Eve in Switzerland 1999, which is when he meets up with Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall). A scientist with a potentially revolutionary invention in her hands, Maya – much to her chagrin – discovers that Tony is much more interested in getting into her pants than seriously considering her research. But at least he has some real interest in her, which is something Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) can't really say.
A gifted man in his own right, the somewhat homely, nebbish scientist forces himself past Tony's faithful security guard Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) in hopes of discussing a project that might just change the course of humanity. But instead of meeting Aldrich on the roof as he promises, Tony finds himself embroiled in something of much greater satisfaction (physically anyway) that occupies his time ...
Flash forward to the present day and Tony is still his life-loving self, save for the events details in The Avengers that have left him with panic attacks and nightmares he doesn't like to discuss. Pepper Potts (Gywneth Paltrow) is holding down Stark Industries just fine in Tony's absence, however – or at least she was until an old friend – Aldrich – shows up on the scene hoping to discuss his new product again ... Happy takes notice of the newly astute inventor, but much more so of his shady looking companion Savin (James Badge Dale). Happy has a feeling something just isn't right about the duo – and he knows that when he has a hunch, he should follow-up on it ...
But while no one may be certain what Aldrich is or isn't up to, there is no question that the mysterious terrorist known only as The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) has it out for the President (William Sadler), Tony's best friend Col. James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), anyone who supports the American way of life – and that includes Iron Man.
A gifted man in his own right, the somewhat homely, nebbish scientist forces himself past Tony's faithful security guard Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) in hopes of discussing a project that might just change the course of humanity. But instead of meeting Aldrich on the roof as he promises, Tony finds himself embroiled in something of much greater satisfaction (physically anyway) that occupies his time ...
Flash forward to the present day and Tony is still his life-loving self, save for the events details in The Avengers that have left him with panic attacks and nightmares he doesn't like to discuss. Pepper Potts (Gywneth Paltrow) is holding down Stark Industries just fine in Tony's absence, however – or at least she was until an old friend – Aldrich – shows up on the scene hoping to discuss his new product again ... Happy takes notice of the newly astute inventor, but much more so of his shady looking companion Savin (James Badge Dale). Happy has a feeling something just isn't right about the duo – and he knows that when he has a hunch, he should follow-up on it ...
But while no one may be certain what Aldrich is or isn't up to, there is no question that the mysterious terrorist known only as The Mandarin (Sir Ben Kingsley) has it out for the President (William Sadler), Tony's best friend Col. James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), anyone who supports the American way of life – and that includes Iron Man.
THE TAKE: There is a HUGE – I repeat, HUGE – plot twist in Iron Man 3 that would make M. Night Shymalan proud but is likely to polarize many audience members, especially any of those (hint, hint!) who grew up reading the iconic Marvel comic. That however, I repeat THAT HOWEVER, IS NOT the biggest problem with Iron Man 3.
In fact, the film has so many things working against it, it might take a genius of Tony Stark's level to begin to figure out what needs fixing first.
Let me say this, Iron Man 3 does not suffer from a lack of fine acting given the circumstances. No, Downey, Jr. is still dynamite as the (now refined) playboy turned superhero as is Paltrow as Potts, who gets to do more in this film than ever before. Likewise, Cheadle plays his second banana role as Col. Rhodes/the Iron Patriot ("The name tested better than War Machine with focus group," he explains in the film) well enough to keep things moving and Pearce isn't James Bond villain-level but he's not horrible, either.
No, the problems with Iron Man 3 come from its trying to appeal to everyone nature coupled with its own excess. Plot elements (why is Tony having these nightmares?) don't come together, key parts of the story are riddled with holes (from start to finish) to the point you wonder if they suffered one of Iron Man's own pulsar blasts and while funny as any superhero movie of recent note and there is no real emotional development of anyone involved. (Director Shane Black kind of stunts Tony's growth save for voiceovers, but the film has a bit of a flashback effect to a time gone past that doesn't feel relevant anymore to the character since there is nothing new going on since we last saw him.)
Then, of course, there is the soon-to-be infamous twist ... Since I don't play spoiler, I won't say anything but let me just say this: You're either going to find it amusing ... Or feel that Marvel has allowed one of its greatest and yet to be materialized entities go to a complete waste for the sake of a cheap parlor trick, take it or leave it. That's not to mention the inclusion of a popular-yet-always-sign-a-sitcom-was-in-trouble inclusion of a child starring in what was supposed to be a key role – and that's not a dig on the young man (Ty Simpkins) who plays him; it's just an indication that Marvel/Black has strayed too far from its core in an attempt to widen the audience for a film that already has – or had – a film base chomping at the bit for the next installment.
Iron Man 3 is enjoyable enough ... But in a Spider-Man 3 way ... And that's very few people's favorite film in that franchise's cannon.
In fact, the film has so many things working against it, it might take a genius of Tony Stark's level to begin to figure out what needs fixing first.
Let me say this, Iron Man 3 does not suffer from a lack of fine acting given the circumstances. No, Downey, Jr. is still dynamite as the (now refined) playboy turned superhero as is Paltrow as Potts, who gets to do more in this film than ever before. Likewise, Cheadle plays his second banana role as Col. Rhodes/the Iron Patriot ("The name tested better than War Machine with focus group," he explains in the film) well enough to keep things moving and Pearce isn't James Bond villain-level but he's not horrible, either.
No, the problems with Iron Man 3 come from its trying to appeal to everyone nature coupled with its own excess. Plot elements (why is Tony having these nightmares?) don't come together, key parts of the story are riddled with holes (from start to finish) to the point you wonder if they suffered one of Iron Man's own pulsar blasts and while funny as any superhero movie of recent note and there is no real emotional development of anyone involved. (Director Shane Black kind of stunts Tony's growth save for voiceovers, but the film has a bit of a flashback effect to a time gone past that doesn't feel relevant anymore to the character since there is nothing new going on since we last saw him.)
Then, of course, there is the soon-to-be infamous twist ... Since I don't play spoiler, I won't say anything but let me just say this: You're either going to find it amusing ... Or feel that Marvel has allowed one of its greatest and yet to be materialized entities go to a complete waste for the sake of a cheap parlor trick, take it or leave it. That's not to mention the inclusion of a popular-yet-always-sign-a-sitcom-was-in-trouble inclusion of a child starring in what was supposed to be a key role – and that's not a dig on the young man (Ty Simpkins) who plays him; it's just an indication that Marvel/Black has strayed too far from its core in an attempt to widen the audience for a film that already has – or had – a film base chomping at the bit for the next installment.
Iron Man 3 is enjoyable enough ... But in a Spider-Man 3 way ... And that's very few people's favorite film in that franchise's cannon.
PARTING SHOT: If Iron Man 3 is in fact the character's swan song in regards to solo films, it's a shame that a sparkling warrior of metal goes out showing more than a hint of rust when all he needs is a little polish to shine like the day we first met him.
RATING (OUT OF FOUR BUCKETS OF POPCORN):
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