Staff Writer
The movie Marvel fans have been waiting for, Iron Man 3, came out May 3, 2013, dominating the box office by grossing $175 million opening weekend. The newest Marvel movie since last summer’s The Avengers, this film continues to amaze fans with Tony Stark’s luxurious and action-packed life.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) finally has his life in order from his girlfriend, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), to saving the world as Iron Man. A new enemy, the Mandarin, emerges from Stark’s past with a strange new power that even Iron Man has difficulty defeating. Along the way he finds help from his friend, Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle). Not only is the country in danger, but Stark’s personal life is the new target. Tony will do everything in his power to protect Pepper Potts.
Robert Downey, Jr. returns for the fourth time as Iron Man in this major Marvel franchise. How he takes on the arrogance and pride as Tony has in the comic book is spot on. The humor, consistent throughout the movie, maintains the same sarcastic comments as it has since the first Iron Man film. As the relationship between Tony Stark and Pepper Potts grows, so does the chemistry between Downey, Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow. Gwyneth Paltrow is also returning for the fourth time as Pepper Potts. While in past movies Pepper offers some comedic relief from the action, she is now in the middle of all the explosions. Paltrow definitely had to work harder in this movie emotionally and physically to capture the intensity of the movie.
Don Cheadle appears once again as Colonel James Rhodes, or Rhody. This is the second time Cheadle has played Rhody, although his character has appeared three other times. Taking on the best friend role, Rhody is always there for Tony when he’s in trouble, which is frequently. The jokes and teamwork between Cheadle and Downey, Jr. make this friendship genuine on the screen.
Overall, the movie is exactly what you would expect from Marvel with sarcasm, suspense, action, and explosions. After last year’s The Avengers, Marvel has the difficult task of making a movie as equally outstanding. Any Marvel or superhero fan will be satisfied with the movie, and it is definitely worth seeing in theatres. Stay until the very end of the credits for an additional humorous scene.
More to come from Marvel: Thor: The Dark World (November 2013), Captain America: The Winter Soldier (Spring 2014), The Avengers 2 (2015).
