Viewed – 17 December 2013  Blu-ray

You have to love Iron Man.  Such an unashamedly bad-ass character backed up by the one liner filled charisma of Robert Downey Jr … what’s not to like?  In this third outing for the high tech hero / billionaire and following on directly from the Marvel Avengers Assemble, Tony Stark (Downey Jr) faces a new threat, that of a middle eastern terrorist (Ben Kingsley), clearly modelled after Osama Bin-Laden (bad taste?) who is setting off bombs on American soil.

Directed by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang) as can be expected this is peppered with the director’s trade mark sharp, often very un-p.c. dialogue.  Not quite so much fun are the constant nods to Avengers with references to Thor and the like (didn’t we get enough of this in I.M #2?) and a war on terror backdrop that’s becoming an all too familiar story device these days.  Downey does a good job as the increasingly troubled stark (he’s getting panic attacks following Avengers … but this isn’t fully explored) and throw in a little kid let’s bond moment (Hellboy anyone?) and a twist I saw coming a mile off … and well, to be honest considering all the good reviews – I was disappointed.  The first half of the movie is actually rather slow, and although Guy Pierce as always, is rather good – this all just felt a bit unnecessary.

Again Stark’s relationship with Pepper Potts is well observed and is the crutch this movie just about stands up with, with an enjoyable Gwyneth Paltrow – and towards the end some of the action was pretty slick – especially the final encounter with the villain.  Also Rebecca Hall is in it, and well… she’s hot.  But overall I found this really lacking – and dare I say it, I might have enjoyed I.M #2 more.

Verdict:  2.5 /5