Movie Blog: Iron Man 3

So the summer movie blockbuster season has officially kicked off with the unleashed in cinemas of Iron Man 3 with Robert Downey Jr. reprising his role as Tony Stark and I can definitely say it was the most awaited movie of the year for me. It is one of the most beloved series of Marvel.

I haven't been going to movies as much lately, but there's one I can promise I'm going to make time to see: Iron Man 3. Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, and Don Cheadle are all back; I like director Shane Black's work, and its superheroes! Ya'll know I love superheroes.

Well obviously it’s not just me who is hype and turning like a little child to watch Iron Man 3, yes because I was, to be honest. It’s one of the most awaited movies of the year. So now that Iron Man 3 is finally showing, what can I say about the movie?

Again -- it’s a massive, massive spoiler so, if you don’t want to know, please go away. Beware. Seriously.

SPOILER ALERT!!!

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LAST CHANCE!!

Wow, still here? Okay.

"We create our own demons."

So goes the very first line of this three-quel, opening to massive expectations and no doubt, box office following Iron Man's last triumphant movie as part of the superhero powerhouse which was The Avengers.

Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as billionaire Tony Stark - who, has been off the superhero scene, distancing himself from everyone and struggling with his inner demons. And, this time around, he is suffering a little anxiety attack from PTSD following the events at the end of the alien invasion masterminded by Loki during post-Avengers' incidents. As he deals with this completely out of character crisis of confidence he’s suddenly faced with one of the greatest terrorist threats mankind has seen, The Mandarin.

Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.)

Facing a distinct lack of sleep, Stark has been distancing himself from the love of his life Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), who's working hard at Stark Industries and is choosing to dwell on building other Iron Man suits within his basement.

Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow)

The trailer didn't really reveal a predictable storyline as well giving this 3rd movie a fresher plot. The trailer portrayed the movie to be dark and challenging, which is unfortunately nothing like the movie. The trailer built up to The Mandarin, which completely falls on its face. But I couldn’t mention the spotlight without a nod to The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), is a fabulous addition to the group of Marvel baddies, who was set up in the trailer so awesomely as the main antagonist…He’s just an actor in the movie, a “mascot” for the terrorist group – he didn’t even know he was working for terrorists! Haha to say too much about this bearded Bin Laden-esque terrorist.

The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley)

Then there’s Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), is yet another villain of Stark’s making. The film serves up plenty of spectacle – explosions, chases and brilliantly choreographed fight scenes. Pepper Potts finally gets something more than her usual role proving to be the perfect match for Stark. And yes she finally gets the suit. Gwyneth Paltrow and Rebecca Hall (Maya Hansen) certainly add more to the characters.

Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce)

Rebecca Hall (Maya Hansen)

The rapport between Stark and Harley (Ty Simpkins), the young kid he meets who will not only enable him to overcome his PTSD but also become an unlikely pre-young sidekick significantly enlivens the film.

Harley (Ty Simpkins)

Robert Downey Jr. is forever brilliant as Tony Stark and he explores more of the character. What more? Iron Man 3 turned out to be quite a smart continuation, focusing on Tony Stark's coping with his post-Avengers struggles and self-reassurance of his superhero capabilities as a natural human being. The dialogues are hilarious, very human and these characteristics make their actions heroic indeed. Use of cool, amazing and high technology for the Iron Man suits was pretty awesome.

The level of entertainment makes the movie's obvious flaws and plot holes very forgivable for me. They managed to balance the film to be an adrenaline-pumping action flick with a healthy dose of comedy. The most surprising element of Iron Man 3 though, is just how funny it is. Dry wit and banter from every character make the two hours whip by and manage to lift the mood in almost every scene. The line exchanges of jokes were really much more hilarious than the past two Iron Man movies. RDJ is on top form this time out with the script having the audience laughing loudly and continuously throughout. I can’t help but think at how very intelligent and crazy (in a good way) the script was written. Intermixed with the comedy are the action sequences. There's nothing like blowing stuff up, major explosions and lots and lots of Iron Man suits to get the edge of the seat high you get from the big screen.

Of course what’s an Iron Man movie without some man-in-a-suit-of-armor action? Tony! Tony! Tony! Tony! Admit it! The real reason why Iron Man is so cool is because of the oh-so-ubercool-and-unconventional – superhero.

Will it lead to an Iron Man 4?

That's the big question - with the Iron Man 3 ending feeling like a kind of wrap up, and Downey Jr's contract being finished with the role, you'd have to wonder if this is the end for Stark. But given this latest performance, he's irreplaceable - and Marvel would be hard pressed to bring anyone else into a role which Downey Jr. has made so emphatically his own.

Oh, and make sure you stick around for the obligatory post credits sequence at the end....Yes, of course there is, it's Marvel. But probably not worth the time waiting. Hihihi :))

According to Latino Review, here’s the post credits sequence:

“It starts with a close shot of Tony Stark on a couch talking about his various traumas, obviously he’s talking to someone, as if he was seeing a shrink, the tone of the scene is light and supposedly funny. Then we discover that the person he’s talking to is Bruce Banner/Mark Ruffalo, who fell asleep because of Tony’s boring story. Tony remarks that Banner has been sleeping during the most part of his story and yells at him and Banner just mumbles and says “You know, I’m not that kind of doctor!” Then Tony recalls another memory and resumes his monologue, and then we see Banner starting to fall asleep again.”

As with all big releases, Iron Man 3 is available in 2D, 3D and iMax, I’ve seen it in 2D and honestly there’s nothing to warrant the extra spend, unless of course you prefer the 3D format. Whatever way you choose to see it, do see it; it’s set to be one of the blockbusters of the summer.

Overall, hands-down. It was an insanely watchable, super fun, well paced action movie. With enough action going on around, it will be a bad choice if you think you can just watch this on a DVD (unless of course you have cinema-like home theater system). Although this film has its flaws, it won’t stop you from thoroughly enjoying the ride. Amazing, just amazing! I wouldn’t decline to watch it twice at all! :)

Go and see Iron Man 3!!!!

Here’s the trailer for those who haven’t watch it in the big screen:

Check out the video featurette below to know more about the film:

A quick video guide to everything you need to know about Tony Stark, the Armored Avenger himself, in anticipation of Iron Man 3!

Book Review: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hello everyone! Like I promise before I'll post now my book reviews here in my blog. This is the first one. Enjoy guys! :) Warning: SPOILER ALERT!!!

"May the odds be ever in your favor."

*SUMMARY from Goodreads:

In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, the shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to death on live TV. Sixteen year old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the games. But Katniss has been close to dead before and survival. 

*REVIEW:

That's right! I finally read it and watched the movie as well. I read The Hunger Games a couple of months ago before the movie hit the big screens. I absolutely love the first book (and enjoyed the series as well). I've avoided it for so long because this kind of story is not usually my thing. You know the whole dystopian future sci-fi thing - it just doesn't usually do it for me, I think it's more of a guy thing. Except now I think maybe it does. Or the series does, at least. I can certainly see why the book was such a hit. This novel struck many characters and themes (teenage love, poverty, family, sci-fi, and more), was an easy and quick read, as well as full of action. 

The author builds a fantastical yet believable world where it takes a future vision of United States no more but instead a country now called Panem which divided in twelve districts with the Capitol at the center. The rest of the story follows Katniss through training and competition in the game and of course the two people venture Katniss and Peeta, on to the journey to fight for their lives. The story has a fast paced, it progress quickly with well defined characters who have odd names. What the hell a 'Peeta Mellark' name??!! (Well, everyone has an odd name in The Hunger Games Trilogy, but still...Haha.) Well, what really hooked me in was the characters. They're brilliantly established a good portrayal of their part - especially Gale, who barely gets any face time in the book and yet have a strong presence. I liked the fierce Katniss, her prowess with the bow and arrow are unrivaled. How can you not like her?? So happy to see a lead character who could put the "hero" in a heroine.

I can certainly understand how the young or young at heart crowd fell head over heels for this novel. For me though, the love triangle between Peeta and Gale is a cliche, that might be passable for the intended audience. But I loved the spice of violence and bloodshed. The constant suspense kept me turning page after page, as I assume, most of those who read the book. 

Collin's prose is well pace filled with humor which cause the book to become addictive and hooked on every details the book describes. Like any good story, you are immersed in the world built around you, yet you know it is not real but you can't stop reading. There was a time, while you reading every chapter you are completely engross in Katniss character, feeling everything she felt, sees everything she saw. To the point where you have to choose between Peeta and Gale. Seriously, I love those guys - Wow! Who could pick between them? The baker's son versus the long time best friend. 

That being said, I was still blown away by the fact that book is still able to have some emotional impact to its readers as reading it for the first time. I might not remember the finer details but I knew the big elements.  I disliked the mutts part, but since this is a part of successful trilogy, were the audiences stuck around to find what happens. Plus, Collins has crafted such great characters with a very interesting love triangle and twists, at least. Brilliantly done, Miss Collins. Until then, I'll start writing review for Catching Fire. Yeah! I'm addicted. For those of you that haven't watch the movie yet, here's the trailer!! Check it out!!