Movie review: "Iron Man 3" delivers

(7 out of 10 stars)

(Rated PG-13 for violence, language and adult situations; 130 Minutes)

The 2013 summer movie season is here, and it opened with a bang — literally lots of them —with "Iron Man 3."

If big-budget, high-action, witty one-liner movies with beautiful actors, a passable plot line and lots of CGI are your thing, then "Iron Man 3" is sure to please.

The third iteration of the series, the movie brings back Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, the uber-billionaire playboy-philanthropist-savior of the world. Thankfully, he is as remarkable and consistent as he has always been. While not necessarily a degradation of the movie, Downey Jr. is the absolute best thing about this trilogy. His quick wit, delivery, and personality effervesce and exude in this movie and, while not quite as replete as the first two movies, there are more than enough witticisms to keep everyone happy.

Just like the writers of the prior movies, Shane Black (who also directs) realizes he is not just blessed with a big-budget and a franchise movie name. In Downey Jr. he has one of the most able actors of his generation. Black writes well and lets Downey Jr. blow off his acting wings.

A much darker movie than the first two (read: not complex or smart), Downey blows the doors off this film. I would like to see him sometime soon, during his seemingly brief hiatuses between Iron Man and Avenger movies, grab a dark, deep, and layered script and show the rest of the world he is much more than Tony Stark and capable of what he showed us in "Less Than Zero."

The rest of the usual suspects — err, cast — is back in good form. Gwyneth Paltrow (as Pepper Potts) is vastly underrated as an actress, and here again, she does not disappoint. Don Cheadle and Jon Favreau round out the cast and I must admit I was disappointed that the writers of these movies continually underutilize Cheadle's talents. His scenes are mundane and his character is simply used as resolutions to plot devices.

While this is a great popcorn movie, it did leave a lot for those who want more for their $15 (yeah, iMax in Peoria is going for $15). The villain of the story (there is always a villain) is created with the most eye-rolling of reasons. Played admirably by Guy Pearce, his character is wafer-thin and is written more with the idea of giving Tony Stark more hurdles to jump instead of offering an overall satisfying experience.

As vacuous as the antagonist plot line is, in the middle of it all is Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley, who plays The Mandarin. Kingsley is beyond wonderful in this role, and for spoiler concern I can tell you nothing more than he is side-splittingly, tear-invoking funny. Make certain you do not make a soda run in the middle of the movie.

Written and directed by Shane Black, with shared writing credit with Drew Pearce, this iteration of Iron Man shares too much commonality with Black's "Lethal Weapon" series. I appreciate and enjoyed his darker attempt with Downey Jr., but was put off by the linear plot line. Part of the charm of the Iron Man series (at least for us guys) is the cool techno gadgetry that we get to see. I have to admit, I enjoy good computer generated imagery (CGI) as much as the next guy, but I found about half-way through the movie asking myself when I was going to see Tony Stark in the suit.

If you are anything like me, this movie is not to be missed for the special effects and CGI. There is an air rescue scene of passengers who were sucked out of Air Force One (no spoiler; it was in the trailer) that is devastatingly good. The final scene with an army of Iron Men is worth the price of admission.

Please do not misunderstand. I enjoy vapid story lines in the summer blockbuster extravaganzas because they are replete with all the formula points I have already discussed. Of course there were tons of "there's no way that happens" moments in the show. If you can turn that part of your brain off and enjoy the movie for what it is, you will be all the better for it.

"Iron Man 3" follows that summer movie formula that is so often chastised and gives every audience member what they came to see — with the exception of a brain-deadening antagonist. That aside, it was a very satisfying movie that came with everything it promised.

Thank goodness summer is here — if not for the warm weather, then for the summer movie season.

I give it 7 out of 10 stars.

About the Author

Who was that mysterious man you saw in the theater last night? You tried to get a look at him but he quickly disappeared in a puff of smoke, his cackle trailing in the air, leaving behind his calling card: a half-eaten box of popcorn and a lukewarm soda. He is Our Movie Reviewer named Tim!