Saturday, May 4, 2013

Movie Review - Why watch IRON MAN 3

Hey Coffeeholics! Its been more than a week already since Iron Man 3 came out so I'm betting that most of you have already watched it. I must admit I was only able to watch it last Wednesday (finally!). To tell you the truth, I never watched a trailer of the movie. But I've been hearing mixed reviews about Iron Man 3.. that some say it was dragging and boring especially in the middle part while some say that they absolutely loved it. So what is it? Is it boring? Predictable? Lacks action? Or was it sooooo cool that you just had to watch it again? Did it suck or did it rock?


WARNING: SPOILER ALERT

If you haven't watched the movies and you don't want to be bombarded by spoilers, now is a very good time to skip this post. :P

5 REASONS WHY I LIKE IRON MAN 3


1. Vulnerability.  Usually when we hear IRON MAN we usually think of him as the super cool hero. This  arrogant, narcissistic, bad boy playboy billionaire genius in a hi-tech suit that can shoot missiles, a laser beam, and basically save the day. There's no denying that he is indeed all that. But what I really like about Iron Man 3 is that this time, we get to see beyond the surface rep of Tony Stark. They showed him to be more human.. to be vulnerable.. that he is like one of us. Who couldn't relate to his panic attacks.. in facing the reality that he is human and he can't do anything about what's happening around him? Who can't relate in his struggle through his fear and trauma.. his insomnia (ok so maybe not 72 hours of no sleep! lol).. his fears spilling over to the subconscious and becoming a disturbing nightmare? 


Tony Stark was vulnerable just like you and me and it showed when in despite owning a super cool iron suit that can defeat an army, he still is a typical human being who experiences stress and fears triggered from a traumatic experience (his near death experience during The Avengers timeline). He was vulnerable and it showed through panic attacks that were triggered by innocent statements from kids (which is kinda ironic by the way - a kid reducing the Iron Man to a puddle of nerves!). Of course in the end, he learned how to overcome his fear and deal with it which is heroic in itself. He showed that its ok, we have fears but we can deal with these fears and shortcomings if we set our minds to it and in the process become stronger. 


2. The Mechanic vs. Iron Man. Everyone knows Iron Man is THE Man. But what happens if the suit runs out of juice? When it fails to "assemble" and "assimilate" on Tony Stark? When it crashes into a truck and scatters into a million pieces like lego? Actually most of the movie seems to "mock" the iron suit on how unstable and unreliable it is making Iron Man useless at times. And for some reason I liked that. Why? Coz then we were able to see how Tony Stark - The Mechanic worked.

One of the pivotal scenes for me was during one of his panic attacks when he found out that his suit was NOT charging and he was on his way to Miami to finish off Mandarin. He was freaking out and he got out of the car and was hyperventilating on the floor coz he didnt know how he would be able to defeat Mandarin without his suit when the kid on the phone reminded him who he was -- that he was first and foremost, the Mechanic who "made" Iron Man and can "fix" things. Brains and action without the Iron Man suit ensued afterwards which I felt was pure genius on his part. It is the MAN that makes the suit, not the other way around. Enough said.


3. Tony Stark on Humility.

"I have a lot of apologies to make... Nothing's been the same since New York. You experience things, and then they're over. I can't sleep, and when I do I have nightmares. Honestly, there's a hundred people who want to kill me. I hope I can protect the one thing I can't live without..."

I bet all the other girls sighed too when he said this line to Pepper. I think its rare to see or hear him admit he was a mess and hearing him say sorry (a lot of times) is refreshing. There is hope after all for bigshots and egoistic arrogant alpha males! So if Iron Man happens to be your role model? Learn after him. A man who admits his mistake, apologizes, and learns from it will live another day.


4. Tony Stark's Love Language. 
I laughed so hard when I saw his gift to Pepper. The huge stuffed bunny and the necklace at the very end (I'm sorry that is not spectacular enough of a gift for a genius ex-playboy billionaire). It sucks. So definitely giving of Gifts is NOT his forte (HA! Remember in Iron Man 2 and the basket of strawberries? FAIL!).

But his way with words surely stole a place in our hearts and yes Pepper's too. His funny and droll wit and proper use of sarcasm seems quite to be a hit (many thanks to Robert Downey Jr.'s fantastic portrayal!). But when he delivers those sweet mushy lines like -

"Things are different now, I have to protect the one thing that I can't live without. That's you." 

That's Pepper in the Iron Man suit!
Well you bet that definitely makes up a lot for the unforgivable gifts earlier. And what girl cannot forget that sweet move when he immediately suited Pepper up in his Iron Man suit during those explosions which essentially protected her. Considering her above his own safety is definitely plus points! And of course yes, we know. We know! When a guy gives up his "toys" (gadgets, games, hobby.. ) for quality time for you -- that's FIREWORKS baby! And mind you, that's Tony Stark saying goodbye to his 40+ Iron Man suits. :)


Hot Pepper!
5. Pepper Girl Power. Ok so your love interest is a super hero. Must you always be a damsel in distress? NOT! Thank goodness that in the end, Pepper pretty much saved the day (and Iron Man!) with her kick ass moves as an altered volatile super soldier. My favorite part was when she jumped high, punched one of the suits, and thrust one of the Iron Man arms in her hand like a glove and went all Bionic Woman on the Bad Guy. Epic epic epic. :)  I wanted to see more of Pepper going bad ass but then well..  the movie is all about IRON MAN after all. So we only got a glimpse of that.


Anyway, so did it suck or did it rock? Well duh, obviously it ROCKED! I watched it again on the next day. LOL. Seriously though I have to tell you that the action is packed only in first and last part.. most of the middle part is really a lot of talking, some upgraded MacGyver fiddling, and the developing of a nicer and more adorable Tony Stark ever. I mean what gal wouldn't  want to be in Pepper's place--hugging and comforting a distraught Tony Stark admitting that he was a mess and needed her a lot? The second time I watched Iron Man 3, I just leaned back and soaked in the drop dead gorgeousness of Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.




Photo source - Matsuda FB
Did you notice all the different kinds of sunglasses that he wore? Smoking hot awesome stuff! I searched the net and most of the eyewear he wore were from Matsuda. I also just noticed most of the photos that I got of him ay lahat masungit look. Haha. Whats up with that? Sabi na nga ba..only him and Sir Chief can get away with the haughty and handsome look.

Anyway enough of the fangirl mode. What about you? Did you like it or found it boring? Do you agree with my points or not? Let me know what you think about the movie. I'm sure pure Marvel fans have a lot to say about this movie (a point which I did not touch since I'm not an expert about that!). Basta ako I enjoyed it. Ikaw? Drop a comment and let me know! Oh and if you haven't watched the movie but read this anyway, will you still watch or not?

Have an awesome weekend! mwah mwah!

Photo source - google. XD


12 comments:

Dan O'Neill said...

Good review Kai. Keeps the franchise going and makes the summer seem like it's going to be a great one at the movies.

Kai Sensei said...

Thank you Dan for reading and visiting!

Franc Ramon said...

I think it's seeing more humanity of heroes like ironman that attaches them to people.

michymichymoo said...

I liked the movie as well. :) The comic enthusiasts didn't like the movie but I don't care. It's romantic and it's human. :)

Franc Ramon said...

It's also nice that they gave Pepper some action scenes to work with.

NinMonster said...

Love this review! You've got all the best points in the story! And I'm on a Robert Downey Jr./ Tony Stark/ Ironman phase right now! Soon baka Wolverine naman, then Spidey. :))

Kai Sensei said...

Yup you tagged that right. The humanity behind the hero. Awesome sauce.

Kai Sensei said...

IKR!!! Its more romantic than the last 2 movies. XD

Kai Sensei said...

What I would have love to have seen was more Pepper action!

Kai Sensei said...

Hope you were able to watch it and liked it as much as I did! Thanks for dropping by. :)

Kai Sensei said...

Ahhhh yes.. Wolverine has a movie again noh? Meh, I've been a solid fan of Robert Downey Jr. ever since Iron Man 1 AND Sherlock Holmes. Thanks for dropping by Janine! Mwah mwah!

Leau Andreea said...

I just saw this movie and it was AWESOME!