I’m puzzled by all the negative reactions to this film. The limited screen time Tony Stark spends as Iron Man actually provides a unique opportunity to examine his character's human side. I also appreciated the unexpected turn in the villain's storyline that appeared roughly midway through; it was genuinely clever and left me feeling quite pleased. It has more of a Shane Black feel than a traditional Iron Man film…

_Iron Man 3_ enters what's called "Phase 2" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but it does so imperfectly. I’ve mentioned this before, and I’ll say it again: no film is ever truly perfect. But because _The Avengers_ established such a high standard, following that up proved difficult for Black’s entry. There are numerous inconsistencies, plot holes, questionable decisions, illogical moments, and weak points—though …

I must admit, I felt let down by this third Iron Man film. Robert Downey Jr.’s portrayal of Tony Stark is certainly amusing—he’s often funny, though not consistently—and there's no denying the impressive visual effects and explosions. However, the plot itself is simply awful. The idea that Killian would employ the Mandarin to commit acts of terror as a distraction from his experimental failures seems completely ab…

It’s rare for a film to provoke such intense frustration, and this one continues to irritate me even when I encounter it on TV. The single word that best captures my impression of this movie would be: obnoxious. While I wasn't particularly enthusiastic about seeing it initially, I had hoped for some entertainment given my enjoyment of the earlier Iron Man installments. This is where my feelings toward Tony Stark/Iron…

It’s difficult to say exactly why Jon Favreau didn't direct Iron Man 3; the reasons are usually vague and carefully worded in Hollywood circles. Whatever the cause, something clearly shifted with this installment. Iron Man 3 feels noticeably different from the earlier films. The tone is much darker, which isn't just about a reduction in humor—something most people appreciate about the Iron Man series. The new char…