Iron Man 3

For one time only, I'm going to give you permission to disagree with me about this review. Indeed, I've most probably got it all wrong in the manner of IBM's chairman, predicting in 1943 that there was a world market for “maybe five computers”. Okay, maybe not that bad but you get the idea. I have to confess that I haven't seen Iron Man or Iron Man 2. So, naturally, this puts me in rather precarious position when it comes to making assertions about the latest film, imaginatively titled Iron Man 3. Nevertheless, here are my thoughts, even if you know better. Enjoy this feeling whilst it lasts.

Iron Man 3 is the latest film from Marvel and Paramount (he most definitely is a Marvel character - I was recently berated online for accidentally calling Superman a Marvel creation) and opens on New Year's Eve 1999, an evening which will create far-reaching and serious consequences for Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.). Fast-forward to the present day and everything Stark knows and cares about is ripped apart by the fearsome terrorist, the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). Hitting cinemas with an almighty bang, Iron Man 3 will no doubt dominate the box office for many weeks to come. And that is perfectly fine. As a whole, the film has all the elements which make for an all-out romp of a superhero film, and combines them with plenty of energy and surprises, under the assured direction of Shane Black.

It is Robert Downey Jr.'s performance which, no doubt, assures the success of the film. His portrayal of the forward and verbally-volatile billionaire industrialist was engaging and a pleasure to watch. The film's script zips along at a fair old pace and its writers, Drew Pearce and Shane Black (who achieved recognition with the Lethal Weapon screenplay) have written some great gags which Downey delivers with great conviction and comedic vigour. It was not only Tony Stark who was given some great one-liners – Ben Kingsley's role is casting genius and a highlight of the film. As many have pointed out, Iron Man 3 is the only superhero film to contain a reference to Croydon. Inspiring stuff.

The action is proficiently executed and one of the Iron Man films' strengths (excuse the pun) is the shots looking inside and outside of the mask. These point-of-view shots allow the audience to be thrown right into the centre of the action and make for enthralling viewing (and no thanks to the 3D). The assault on Stark's Miami home was heart-pounding stuff and the film's themes of human relationships rallying against technological advances and compromised masculinity were nicely approached. Without his suit, Tony Stark is stripped of power but Downey manages to remain a commanding screen presence. Gwyneth Paltrow as Stark's long-suffering partner gave a very confident yet naturalistic performance and complemented Downey's eccentricity.

So there you have it. My ill-informed, misjudged, mistaken and rather poor review of Iron Man 3. However, I genuinely found it to be a funny, full-on and satisfying superhero flick. Downey and Kingsley steal the film and, for once, a third film in an action franchise doesn't feel forced. But what do I know? Disagreements on the back of a postcard. 

Clapperboard Rating: * * * *