Just from talking to various fans of the MCU, it would seem that Iron Man 3 is one of the most divisive films in Marvel’s canon. At the time of release, it was viewed as the “darkest” entry of the films up to that point and it also had to deal with following the massive success of The Avengers. Director Shane Black, taking over for Jon Favreau, opted for something a bit smaller and intimate with Iron Man 3 (as small and intimate as you can get with a big budget studio film) and I think his approach divided some fans of those particular films. For me, since the narrative is tighter and there is more at stake, it definitely outshines Iron Man 2 and it definitely gets better with each viewing. The film may feel a bit different on the surface but Shane Black accomplishes more with Iron Man 3 than meets the eye.
Iron Man 3 boasts more exposition than either of its predecessors and focuses a little more on Tony Stark (the man). In fact, there’s considerably less “Iron Man” action than in either Iron Man or Iron Man 2 and the primary villain isn’t just another guy in a bigger suit. There is also a sense of finality to the film. While the character has already popped up in other films, this felt like the end of his particular series.
Iron Man 3 begins shortly after the events depicted in The Avengers. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has returned to Malibu from New York with a case of insomnia. He also suffers from anxiety attacks. Instead of spending his nights cuddled up next to the love of his life, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), he tinkers with new versions of The Suit. When an attack from a terrorist known only as “The Mandarin” (Ben Kingsley) puts Stark’s faithful bodyguard Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau) in a coma, Tony vows revenge. This puts him in the crosshairs of The Mandarin and his henchman, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), who has discovered a way to create a new breed of suicide bombers. One of Tony’s old girlfriends, Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall), approaches him with insight into Killian’s plans at precisely the time when The Mandarin launches an all-out attack on Stark’s mansion. With Iron Man apparently dead, the only one left to stop The Mandarin is “Iron Patriot” (Don Cheadle), who is given his marching orders directly from the President (William Sadler).
When it comes to spectacle and narrative, Iron Man 3 delivers on its promise and provides a workable post-Avengers standalone superhero storyline. There’s one especially compelling, surprising twist that may shock the faithful (and could be one of the controversial reasons some fans are divided on the film). For me, it was a brilliant way to twist the story and offer social commentary. Director Shane Black, who previously worked with Robert Downey Jr. in the underrated Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, slides seamlessly into Jon Favreau’s place behind the camera. The Christmas setting calls to mind the first two Die Hards which is a nice added touch.
There was a time when the level of acting in superhero films was negligible but that has changed vastly over the years. It’s nice to see that even in the third entry of a successful franchise that no one is phoning it in. Ben Kingsley is the standout and accomplishes the near-impossible feat of stealing scenes from Robert Downey Jr., who’s more low-key here than in his previous outings as Tony Stark. The character is subdued and introspective and Downey follows suit. This isn’t a knock on his performance one bit. This is the character trajectory that had to be taken to fit the narrative and it works just fine. Gwyneth Paltrow gets a chance to do a little more than play the love interest – she even gets to put on the suit at one point. Also feeling even more comfortable this time around is Don Cheadle, who has fully settled into the role of James Rhodes. Guy Pearce, who was the current go-to guy for sleazy charisma mixed with sadism, does what’s expected of him. James Badge Dale is the secondary villain whose inevitable comeuppance provides a mini-climax. The one performer who is criminally underused is Rebecca Hall which doesn’t allow her to make a full impression on the audience.
If I’m being nitpicky, Iron Man 3 runs into some credibility problems that result from this being a standalone adventure taking place in the Avengers universe. It seems more than a bit strange that, with The Mandarin blowing up buildings and targeting the President that none of the other Avengers steps in to help Tony. The explanation – that this is a “patriotic” thing that needs to be handled in-house (by Americans) – doesn’t make sense when considering that one of The Avengers goes by the name of “Captain America.” The absence of S.H.I.E.L.D. is also odd (although they get a brief mention), especially remembering how ubiquitous Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury was in the pre-Avengers standalones. Again, I’m being nitpicky here but it’s always something I think about when I view the film.
All that aside, I do think Iron Man 3 is solid because it’s more of a character study rather than a traditional comic book film. Don’t get me wrong, there is plenty of spectacles and solid action but what Shane Black strives for, and accomplishes, is to delve more into the psyche of our hero and show how all of these things surrounding him truly affect his day to day life. The ending is also undeniably spectacular and allows the finale to vary what we got in Iron Man and Iron Man 2. The finale is a perfect way to sum up the film as a whole. It’s fast-paced and energetic while providing moments of emotional poignancy. Iron Man 3 isn’t what you’d expect and that’s a good thing.
