One year after the Marvel Cinematic Universe released the largest opening film in the United States, The Avengers, the success of the franchise continued on May 3 with its release of Iron Man 3 as the second largest, opening its debut weekend at $175.3 million to viewers in the U.S.
Star Robert Downey Jr., who portrays wise-acre billionaire Tony Stark, revolutionized the Iron Man films with a plot that leaves him constantly defenseless without his body armor. Stark hadn’t quite recovered from his heroic but fatal feats from The Avengers, which causes a strain on his relationship with Pepper Potts, played by Gwyneth Paltrow. Downey’s shift from the usual comedic charm he displays in the series was swayed to a more serious role, reflecting his strong skills as an actor.
Fortunately, his sardonicism was available throughout the movie. “[Director Shane] Black excels at writing witty, self-referential, pop-infused banter, and there is no actor working today who is better suited to delivering it than Downey,” writer for The Atlantic, Christopher Orr, stated. Such banter was transferred between Downey and child actor Ty Simpkins, who played Harley Keener, the son of one of the victims of Aldrich Killian, the villain of the movie played by Guy Pearce. Where sympathy from an average adult would be given in accordance to Simpkins’ situation, Stark was counted on to deliver sarcasm and apathy.
Although Killian was the angry “geek” behind the charade of The Mandarin who was allegedly behind the attacks on America, it was disappointing to see actor Ben Kingsley’s role as the so-called leader of the regime thrown under way as his place was revealed to be only a role in Killian’s plan. The “terrorist” turned out to be a drug and line-fed English actor, and it was a let down that left viewers and critics alike wondering what could have been a great villain alone. “The more I thought about the reveal, however, and the impact it has not only on Iron Man 3 but on the character’s cinematic legacy, the more angry I became with the brazen handling of an important villain,” Sean O’Connell from CinemaBlend.com said. “Because without The Mandarin, you’re left with Guy Pearce’s Aldrich Killian … and all he is is another recycling [of]… genius tech wizards who were slighted by Stark at some point and now want to use similar technologies to humble the billionaire playboy philanthropist.”
However, Black does not disappoint with action-packed fight scenes that were hinted during previews. A fleet of Iron Man suits coming to Stark’s rescue, “terrorists’” war attacks on his Malibu home, and one-on-one fights with Iron Man-many times without the iron-were masterfully executed. Even though Stark and Potts were both thrown into the fire-literally-a few times, it tied into the action flawlessly.
All in all, Marvel, under Black’s skillful directing, Downey’s humorous acting, and the roles played by his supporting actors and actresses, left viewers wanting more, especially with the foreshadowing message at the end of the credits of: Tony Stark Will Return. Iron Man’s role will be highly anticipated in the sequel to The Avengers, which is said to be released in 2015.
