Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on May 2013

2008’s Iron Man was a fun flick, mainly because of Robert Downey Jr.’s unique, irreverent and even believable portrayal as the brash-but-brilliant industrialist-turned-superhero. The 2010 sequel was, I thought, dutiful and a bit forced, and I really don’t remember much about the bombastic The Avengers. But I’m glad to say that everyone’s favorite skewed-hero Man in a Can is back in form with IM3. As with the first film, this one works because Downey spends a lot of time outside his ferrous super-suit engaging in his inimitable, rapid-fire one-liners. A highlight is Ben Kingsley, an absolute hoot as “The Mandarin,” an expectations-subverting super-villain whose vengeful, scorched-earth campaign against Tony Stark and all he holds dear severely (and sorry about this in advance) tests his mettle. Guy Pearce again demonstrates his range as a convincing secondary (or is it primary?) villain, one of those dreaded smarmy successful nerds. And of course Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle reprise their roles as Pepper Potts and Colonel Rhodes. Well paced, excellent special effects (in pointless 3D), pretty funny, entertaining from start to finish and a satisfying, character-driven balance of action, comedy and sci-fi.