Iron Man 3

Firstly, I heard on the radio today that this movie had the 2nd largest opening weekend ever! It made 156 million dollars more then the top 10 recent opening movies combined, and I must say, I can see why

The third installment of the Iron Man series right away set itself apart from its 2 older brothers. Now, I have always been a fan of the series, but always felt like there was just something lacking that made me feel like I should care about Tony Starks' character. There was also a flavor of...cartoony action and lack of realness in the first 2 movies that this 3rd movie absolutely brings to the table. The sense of pain and depression that you get from Stark are very real emotions and something that the audience is not used to seeing in his robust, over the top character. They touch many times on the fact that Tony is having some form of post traumatic stress from his dealings with defending earth in the Avengers 2. There was something about what he experienced that is now giving him anxiety attacks and troubles sleeping, he is simply spread to thin. Robert Downy Jr. once again kills his role as Tony Stark and I love that fact that being with Gwyneth Paltrow's character Pepper Pots makes him more humble and likable.

Those things were not only what made the film stand apart from Iron Man 1 and 2. Finally the villain and his henchman were actually threatening and scary! The first movies really lacked in bad ass villains. Both were essentially robotic threats that were being controlled by less then scary characters. Micky Rourke was one of the dumbest villains of all time! Anyway, their pick for The Mandarian to be the villain was an exceptional choice. The fact that he is so similar to actual evil terrorists looking for justice makes it even more scary and real feeling. I really thought that the villain story line was well written and fun to see unfold, the back story told at the start of the film really ties it all together.

Top notch digital effects, classic Tony Stark humor, and a more developed plot really make this movie my favorite so far out of the 3. Make sure to see what the hype is all about and check out Iron Man 3, in theaters now.