Review: Iron Man (15)

As comic book action films go Iron Man 3 is about as Bond-like as it is possible to be. With his world in flames and his invention in pieces Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) finds himself isolated, vulnerable and largely helpless as a mysterious terrorist called The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) calls the shots.

There is also another shadowy figure manipulating events in the manner of a James Bond-style megalomaniac. But while director Shane Black unleashes wanton destruction on this alternative America – a sequence involving helicopter gunships demolishing Stark’s cliff top home is astonishingly impressive – he incorporates a monstrous trick at the heart of his movie that inevitably weakens it, possibly fatally.

To say more is to give away the big ‘reveal’. Still there is much in this second sequel to enjoy, principally the humbling of Downey’s billionaire playboy/inventor as he comes down to earth with a crash.

Combining fantasy with the harsh realities of modern-day terrorism makes for a brave movie and Kingsley’s Mandarin soaks Iron Man 3 in a sense of cloying dread. He steals the film from Downey – no small task – and elevates himself above the established repertory (Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Jon Favreau et al). Yet amidst the death and destruction, multiple flying superheroes, molten villains and Guy Pearce as a rival scientist with his own agenda is a smart and hugely entertaining rollercoaster ride that is easily the best of the Marvel series thus far.