Just to be clear, I'm a fan.
So it goes without saying that I did indeed LOVE Iron Man 3.
Before I go on and on about the sheer glory of this film I would like to take you on a journey which I'm calling "Catherine's Unnecessarily Long Journey to Iron Man 3, and the Cinema At the End of the Dissertation."
It began on October 23rd 2012, the day the first trailer came out for Iron Man 3. Previous to this I had been massively hyped up by the juggernaut that was the Avengers. A film that was undeniably brilliant. I had loved that film until I had nothing left to give. Then in October, I was sat in a lecture theatre at Uni trying not to nod off during one of Paul's more energetic lectures, when I received a BBM. (Yes I still have a Blackberry, don't judge me my contract is nearly over then I swear on all that is holey and my toaster that I will conform to the iPhone illuminati.)
On this BBM I was presented with a link to the trailer of the new Iron Man film. I slipped my head phones in and watched. Then I watched another three times. PRAISE BE TO JESUS THAT WAS A GOOD TRAILER.
For the next seven months, like the rest of the world I assume, I hyped that mother up big time! Here in the UK the release date was April 25th. The day before my dissertation was due. Baring this in mind I decided the best thing to do was book tickets for 5.30pm the day I handed in my dissertation. Oh boy, what a fabulous idea. You see no matter how bad my dissertation was and how bad it made me feel that day, Iron Man would make everything better.
I handed in my dissertation, laminated, bound, spell checked, blessed and doomed for a mediocre grade, at 4.30pm on April 25th. I can't even begin to tell you the joy I felt handing in that dissertation, I've never felt so free in all my life. I was giddy, but that was nothing to the emotion I would experience just an hour later.
OH MY LORD. What. A. Film. First off, Guy Pearce with the bad skin, greasy hair and glasses may be the most adorable evil dude ever! After that I was totally sympathetic to his cause, and I know I'm not the only one. At the end when he's ripping his shirt off my God his body is something to behold. Phew. My my. Anyway, he is great in this film, he is a great actor and there are moments in his eyes when he's looking at Pepper or kicking Tony's ass where you know he's enjoying it.
Sir Ben Kingsley in what shall now, and forever be known as the twist of the century (!) is hilarious. Nobody saw it coming, it was brilliant, and I'm not going to tell you why because it's just too darn brilliant. Once again the avid film goer is proved the power of 'the hype', the relentless interviews and trailers and promotion has been used as tool to create the Mandarin and then boom the illusion is broken in a moment.
During the promotion of this film (which I followed avidly) we were told that the relationship between Tony and Pepper would be the core. Here is my negative. For a third of the film they weren't even together. When they are there is no sign of the banter they once had, there's enough flirting to wet your appetite but then they get surly and all "I can't sleep Pepper" and "I want you to get rid of the suits Tony". More over, all the 'Pepperony' lovin' is totally eclipsed by the scene stealing Ty Simpkins who plays Tony's best friend/side kick/wise cracking kid/ all round sweetie pie Harley Keener. It is this duo, not Tony and Pepper, not Tony and Happy (who is missing for most of the film WTF), not Tony and Rhodey but Tony and HARLEY, who have the best chemistry. It's beautiful and hopefully Ty will get role in Avengers 2 because he needs more screen time. I am backing this kid all the way.
Finally, Tony. Needless to say he is perfect. Okay, not perfect I feel there could have been more ass kicking on his part. But his one liners, are enough, the whole Dora the explorer watch bit and the exploding bauballs were just so good. Robert Downey Jnr, just is Tony Stark.
It's a bad habit of mine to turn around and look at the reactions of people in the cinema, I love it when I turn and see everybody in cackling, snorting fits of laughter, or gently weeping. During this film I saw such an array, laughter, shock, fear, and confusion in that moment where Sir Ben tore it all up like an absolute bad ass. Post the Dark Knight of last summer I know a lot of people were expected a big deep, dark exploration of this character where a phoenix would be born from the torn up worn out Iron Man of the Avengers, this is certainly what the publicity has led us to believe. What was delivered was in fact, in my opinion, so much better. It gave you laughs and unfathomable twists it was so surprising at times (Sir Ben) that there was a communal in take of breath in the cinema. Thank you Shane Black for the fantastic surprise that was Iron Man 3.
Iron Man 3 = 9/10
Peace
Catherine
