IRON MAN 3 (M) (130 min)
Directed by Shane Black. Starring Robert Downey jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley.
Shane Black might not have been the obvious choice to direct a multiplex behemoth the size of Iron Man 3. Black’s only other directing credit is Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, which was no more than a modest hit in 2005.
But Black is known as a very gifted writer. He has – at his best – an Elmore Leonard-like way with a plot, and a knack for inventing gleefully off-the-wall characters.
And, given that this series is now so popular with its base that part 3 could have been directed by your mum with a basket of sock puppets for special effects and still get queues down the block, perhaps somebody at the studios felt comfortable taking a chance, and handed Black the keys to the franchise. Smart move.
Iron Man and Iron Man 2 did an adequate job of setting up the character. But this film has to close a story arc, and get Tony Stark and his metal-plated alter-ego ready to move on to a new chapter.
