Perhaps the best thing about Marvel’s recent lineup of Avengers films is that they’re not afraid to go dark. Iron Man 3 is no exception. Directed by Shane Black, it’s a slick, sharp, quirky movie that packs an exhilarating punch.
The film finds “Tony Stark” (Robert Downey Jr.) in the midst of what seems like a bit of a life crisis. While struggling with his own demons – and with his suffering relationship with “Pepper Potts” (Gwyneth Paltrow) – he must also face the threat posed by a mysterious terrorist known as the Mandarin.
What’s interesting about the film is that for a significant amount of its runtime, it doesn’t feel much like a superhero movie at all. Rather, it’s more like a detective story – especially in the second act, which has little in the way of action but more than makes up for it with character and plot development. In the final third, however, it turns into a gleefully chaotic action flick. Thankfully, though, everything clicks nicely, thanks to Black and his screenwriting partner Drew Pearce’s knack for clear storytelling.
The star of the show, of course, is Downey Jr., especially since the screenplay allows him to dig a little deeper than in the previous Iron Man films. Though he still gets to show off his acerbic wit and impeccable timing, he also shows a remarkable amount of vulnerability, humanizing the character and making him easier for the audience to connect with.
While Iron Man 3 may not be a traditional superhero movie, it’s definitely a stellar addition to the already excellent Avengers franchise. Black and Downey Jr. have turned Iron Man from a quippy scene-stealer to a living, breathing human being, with truly affecting results.
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