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!

Movie Blog: The Amazing Spiderman

While I haven't too vocal about it, I am a fan but not a hardcore Marvel comics fan so I have not much knowledge of what happens to these characters other than what I see on the big screen or what I stumble upon online.

**SPOILERS ALERT!!!!!**

Last weekend me and my BFFs ventured out to see The Amazing Spiderman and although I was looking forward to finally seeing the film, after many months of talking about the film, I must confess that I was not all that excited. I am more excited to see The Dark Knight Rises. I was only kinda interested in seeing Spider-Man. Even right up to ten minutes before the film started in the lobby of the cinema, I just couldn't muster up any excitement for it. It's not that I didn't think the film could be good. With the "The Avengers" dominating  box office records worldwide and with the "The Dark Knight Rises" set to definitively close the book on the most epic cinematic chapter in superhero history, everyone has been wondering what room is left for Peter Parker to spin his web once more. Well, nevertheless we have "The Amazing Superman", a film that retells the story we saw just ten years ago, about a boy, a spider bite and some great responsibility. 

Remakes. Reboots. Reimaginings. There are so many remakes in the works right now, and not just little films but big ones. Classics. Is that Ok?? I had a bit of a rant the other day regarding all the remakes and probably will continue to do so in the future. Then I see the trailer. Then, I see the film. Then, it's OK......sometimes! :)) 

Upon seeing the trailer, I've felt that this new remake is far too close to the original series of Spider man films that have already been released and I suppose, I didn't think this new spider man film is all that necessary.

The spider man films are an iconic, unforgettable benchmark of the Golden Age of superhero cinema. They represent the beginning not just of mainstream acceptance, but of mainstream embrace of these characters being truthfully represented in the big screen. To put it in context, "The Dark Knight" came out a year after "Spider man 3" and now the "The Dark Knight Rises" is coming out the same summer as a Spider man remake. It's seems like it too soon. I'm going to warn you all now that comparisons between this films are going to come thick and fast, as there's just not really any other way of looking at the film. 

Every last speck of integrity and endurance that makes Peter Parker a hero comes from Uncle Ben and Aunt May. His actual parents being dead was just an excuse to came up, in order to give Peter extra baggage on top of all of the problems he dealt with as teenage superhero. 

When I first heard that Andrew Garfield was going to play as Spider man, my thoughts: why are they replacing Tobey Maguire in the first place? Won't it be confusing? and Andrew Garfield? As Spider man? Eh. Then, I found out.....it's a different approach to the story of Spider man. 

Chief among the high points of this film is Andrew Garfield himself. Garfield injects an honest integrity and web-swinging electricity into Peter Parker, completely submerging himself in the role with brilliance. His performance is wonderfully toned and layered to the point where you fall in love with Peter as a real person and not as a cartoon classic. Peter is no longer the stereotypical nerd he was in the previous films and is far closer to the complex, socially challenged techie in the comics; his bedroom, his belongings and his very mind constantly cluttered with weird little inventions, his hairstyle and the general sexiness of his brand of geekiness. 

Who wouldn't love a nerd like him? :))

Actually, I think I just got used to Tobey Maguire as Spider man. After all, he did do three movies of Spider man. Honestly, he wasn't the hot type. His character then was really the geeky/nerdy kind.....but I did like him. Andrew Garfield was the hot kind of geeky/ nerdy......and I love him!! Another adds up in my list of crushes. Hehe

Like the evolution of comics characters, Spider man's humour always feels like a natural; development as a result of the confidence Peter's new identity gives him. Spidey's still not quite the comedian he is in the comics, but I was genuinely delighted by the three-dimensionality of Garfield's portrayal. For me, he is as close to the definitive Spider man as we've seen so far and I look forward to watching him continue to grow and develop over the course of more films. 

Emma Stone is predictably enjoyable as Gwen Stacy and her chemistry with Garfield is right on the track. It gives Gwen much more to do than MJ ever did in the other films and it's a delight to have such a strong female character a bit bookier; more prim and proper. 

Rhys Ifan is fine as Curt Connors/ The Lizard, the plot about cross-species and turning into a giant lizard creature is all done as well as it could be once again we're given the same tired mold of villain that Peter faced. Connors is an intelligent mentor to Peter before some science happens and he begins hearing voices that tell him he has to be evil and kill Spider man. This is exactly the same as Green Goblin and Doc Ock right down to the sinister voices in their heads. Can we please have just one Spider man film where the bad guys don't discover his secret identity? :P 

There's a scene near the climax of the film where a wounded Spider man is having trouble getting to OsCorp building to fight with the Lizard, so a group of crane workers set up a more convenient swing-through for him. It's funny, sweet touching little scene designed to show how much New York really cares for Spider man despite the negative press he receives. 

Simply put, I enjoyed "The Amazing Spiderman". I didn't see it in 3D, the inclusion of 'Spidey-Cam' was clever albeit a little head turning. The special effects were well done, Connors transition looked impressive. 

While watching the "The Amazing Spiderman", I suspected on a number of occasions despite its flaws, it might be the best Spider man film ever. Its devotion to fleshing out the the previously explored characters and giving a grittier examination of hows and whys of Spidey's weird life really impressed me, as did the high-flying special effects. The movie lived up to its name with the fast-paced action involved. It was really amazing! With the trick of making spider man's movements fast, made it look like he was a real spider. 

This version of Spider man showed different genres in one -- action, romance, family, drama and even comedy. I don't know if it's just because of Andrew Garfield that I became biased but for me, the story of The Amazing Spiderman is much more interesting. The Back story of Peter Parker and his parents gave viewers a clearer understanding of where the story is going. We all know that Peter Parker will try to uncover the secrets left by his parents and save his city from criminals of any kind.

With such a heavy story.....they were able to come up with calmer scenes that made it comedic in a way. Like when Spider-Man and Lizard were fighting in school, particularly in the library and an old man was there but didn't know anything that was happening behind him coz' of his earphones listening to classic music. Haha. The background music made it soooo much funnier!! :))

Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield love team really clicked! Their every scene made me giddy! :D

With that being said, "The Amazing Spiderman" is almost as good as it could possibly be. Despite a few serious problems stemming from a cliched villain and a really shabby mystery that does nothing but set up the sequel, the film does an admirable job at reawakening the web-slinger and what he stands for. I was pleasantly surprised at how well-executed the film was and would be quick to recommend it. It didn't blow me away totally and its flaws were considerable, but I'm glad to say that spider man is back and that it looks as though he'll be around for another while longer. 

I feel like this post is mostly about Andrew Garfield. Hehe. :)) than the movie itself. Oh well, Andrew Garfield is Spider man and Spider man is the movie, so I guess it's fine! He's amazing! The movie is amazing! It's The Amazing Spiderman! 

So yes! go see the film! even if you are a fan of the others, especially if you're not. As per most Marvel films, keep an eye and stay for the extra scene during the credits - I smell a sequel. I'm going to give this film an 8/10. 

Here's the exclusive 4 minutes SUPER PREVIEW: 

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