Captain America: The Winter Soldier Melts Box Office

Marvel Studios Strikes Gold With The Star Spangled Avenger In His Second Landmark Film

WARNING: Spoilers ‘aplenty!

ON CONTINUITY

ARTH VADER (AV): Leaping higher than Batroc right out of the pages of Marvel comic’s biggest legends, this film is as surprisingly original as it is rooted in Marvel cannon. Since Marvel Studios–and it’s films–are essentially Marvel Comics, these films are both bold and solid gold. Bringing down the Hydra was Cap’s job long before there was a S.H.I.E.L.D., so it’s no wonder Captain Rogers has to go back to work against a Hydra. But he can’t do it alone so enlists the help of Marvel spy buster standout Black Widow, Maria Hill, Nick Fury, Sharon Carter and of course, his… AHEM!… wingman, the Falcon. This movie is the live-action embodiment of decades worth of Marvel storytelling, would you agree Pontificator? 

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): Hail Hydra Vader! It’s the second installment of Captain America and it very much lines up with the first film as well as the rest of the larger Marvel movie universe. The Marvel films may not retell exactly any particular story from the books (although the plot of this film does borrow from the Winter Soldier’s story in Captain America's comic and HYDRA being S.H.I.E.L.D. all along in comics), but they are consistent with the expanding canvas they are painting on the silver screen, as well as on the television (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.). 

CASTING, DIRECTING AND ACTING

AV: The gang’s all here, folks! I will let my esteemed partner rattle-off the big names in this film but I will discuss, instead here, the overall characterizations and near-brilliant cinematography and direction work. First, this cast is built for success from it’s DNA, Robert “All Is NOT Lost” Redford is a seamlessly perfect addition to the film’s mighty ensemble cast and screenplay. Marvel even went as far as to cast geek deity, Stan “The Man” Lee in yet another richly entertaining role. Acclaimed brothers and directors extraordinare, Anthony and Joe Russo, deliver such a meticulous, rich screenplay, there are times the viewer loses sight of the fact that this is a superhero movie. 

TP: Does anything really need to be said about the cast? Chris Evans, Samuel L. Jackson, and Scarlett Johansson have already proven themselves as Captain America, Nick Fury, and Black Widow. The story here is Robert Redford’s diabolical portrayal of Alexander Pierce, Sebastian Stan’s dedication to making the Winter Soldier a force to be reckoned with, and Anthony Mackie’s awesome characterization of the Falcon. The only thing better than a can-do-no-wrong cast is top notch direction that makes the film a thrill ride that you never want to stop. Yeah… it was like that. 

SPECIAL EFFECTS

AV: The seamlessly blended visual effects presentation in this film leaves the audience dumbfounded. The onscreen visuals are so well done, you simply take for granted that three flying aircraft carriers (or ‘heli-carriers’) are slugging to out over a giant fictional government facility called the ‘Triskillion’, high above the skies of Washington D.C. What I love about this movie, is how much physical choreography is blended with state-of the-art special effects. From the fist fights with Batroc and Hydra to the leaping, flipping and jumping of the final fights with the Winter Soldier. Watching the Falcon weave between the flying characters was worth the price of the 3D alone. And the breathtaking scenes of the three heli-carriers shooting themselves apart in the air is a sight I will never forget. Pontificator, what did you think?

TP: In a word Vader; spectacular. The CGI was great (as usual) and woven perfectly into the action. Of course I saw this film in IMAX 3D (is there any other way to go to the movies now?) and it was worth every penny. I’ve heard the filmmakers opted for live-action over CGI whenever possible, and the effort really shows as the unbelievable looks absolutely real as it jumps off the screen and into your lap. This film was a perfect example of taking all the tricks of sfx so far and melding them with live action to make a true blockbuster.

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK

AV: Many critics and fans have called this movie out as the best of the nine (so far) Marvel Studios to date. Being the fan I am, I can’t choose, because I love them all differently for different reasons. I believe what we have seen (and in many ways are still witnessing), is with every Marvel film, the formula keeps getting better. As the films deal with real life issues like PTSD for veterans, Sam Wilson (the Falcon), moderates a discussion group for Veterans of the Middle-Eastern wars. Steve (Cap), as hunky as he is, has a hard time finding a date and even struggles with etching out his place in our ever-evolving technology–saturated world, something we can all relate to as well. This makes the characters less super and far more relatable–and human.  

TP: *SPOILER ALERT* Taking a deeper look has significant meaning for this film as there are a ton of easter eggs in it. I won’t go through them all as a quick dive into Google will bring you to numerous sites talking about them, but I will mention a few that I noticed that really aren’t being talked about. In Agent Sitwell’s explanation of what gets a person on Hydra’s hit list, he mentions SAT scores, to which Cap and Widow share a look in reference to the 2004 film “The Perfect Score,” about a bunch of kids that steal answers to SAT’s. Evans and Johansson are those kids. In the third act, just before the helicarriers were destroyed, there was a Hydra commander that looked like Grand Moff Tarkin from “Star Wars” that delivered the line (“You may fire when ready”) also delivered in the third act of the 1978 blockbuster…just before the Death Star was destroyed. Lastly is the scene when Widow asks Cap when he got so good at stealing cars, which was a reference to the Captain America film from 1990 wherein he steals cars multiple times. It seems to me that the filmmakers had a lot of fun making this movie, which is a good thing since it was a lot of fun to watch. 

ON SEQUELS

AV: The news is that the brothers Russo are already hard at work on the next Captain America installment. Personally, I could do with about ten more films of this quality and magnitude. If they can make even a fraction of the cylinders fire that they did in this one, it will be a hit. As the formula for what constitutes a great Marvel movie evolves and gets more sophisticated, then moving the Captain America narrative forward is going to be a sight to behold. Bring ‘em on—and “make mine Marvel!”

TP: I’m very much looking forward to Captain America 3 and can’t even imagine where they are going to go in that film. That said, with Sebastian Stan signing a nine film deal, I won’t be at all surprised to see him in Cap’s uniform sometime in the future, although Evans will still be committed to two more movies after Avengers 2.

RATE IT!

ARTH VADER rates Captain America:The Winter Soldier: Once again, Marvel Studios has outdone itself, which after nine (9) feature films, says quite a bit. Even those completely unfamiliar with the finer details have had such a good time as many are calling it ‘better than the Avengers.’ While my jury is still out on that thought, this is the first big blockbuster of the summer (well spring anyway) and a must-see for just about any cinema lover. That’s why, when Captain America throws his mighty shield, no one can oppose the incredible box office yield. (That was for all the deep Cap fans) I wouldn’t dream of not giving this film a perfect 10 busted blocks and say to Marvel, ‘keep ‘em coming’

THE PONTIFICATOR rates Captain America: The Winter Soldier: Truly a blockbuster with an epic presentation, this film is among one of the greats. It has it all, action, intrigue, comedy, drama…easily targeting nine (9) busted blocks while hailing Hydra!

Captain America: The Winter Soldier: 9.5 / 10 Busted Blocks

Thor's Hammer Nails Another Hit

Thor: The Dark World Sheds Exciting New Light On Some Familiar Faces And Gives Us A Glimpse Of A Wider Marvel Universe 

ON CONTINUITY 

ARTH VADER (AV): Marvel's Phase 2 is rolling like so much thunder (get it?). Thor: The Dark World carves a deeper swath into the lore of Thor, Asgard and the mythos of the 9 realms. Derived from a story buried waist-deep in Marvel cannon (history), Thor 2 unleashes the full creativity of Marvel Comics, Marvel Characters and of course, Marvel Studios, Bringing the audience for a showdown with the villainous Malekith the Accursed, Marvel continues to tap it's deep, rich well of original stories and content that has been in creation since the 1960's, With some noticeable yet easy-to-overlook differences between the books and the screen, this movie leads the audience on one heck of an intensely exciting ride. Pontificator, you're up. 

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): Continuity has become something made up for the films, but at least this film was consistent with the first and all the new characters weren’t just made up for the film, but real existing characters from the comics.The translations of the characters from comic book to film was very well done and with such a long and rich history in the books, Thor has been handled like a deity (from Asgard… get it?).

CASTING, DIRECTING AND ACTING

AV: All the usual suspects return to the big screen for the sophomore installment of Thor 2. While I will let me esteemed and accomplished partner delve deeper in the cast, I want to first comment on the movie direction. Alan (Game of Thrones) Taylor and James (Guardians of The Galaxy) Gunn co-direct arguably the the most entertaining Thor so far and thread their unique cocktail of comedy, drama, sci-fi, huge battle-sequences, teaser content and eye-popping special effects into one fun and memorable fan-boy joy ride. With a scope as grand as the 9 realms, this movie is paced exceedingly well and keeps the viewer on seat's edge darn-near the entire film. For this Marvel-ite, the movie was a  real thrill. 

TP: The cast was, in a word, excellent. I’ll start at Chris Hemsworth in his return to the role of Thunder God, and move onto the return of Natalie Portman and Sir Anthony Hopkins in their roles as Thor love interest Jane Foster and All-Father Odin. Loki was a show stealer, easily usurping the screen every time Tom Hiddleston became the villain. Christopher Eccleston (best known to me as the 9^th Doctor Who) was superb as the menacing Malekith. Once again, Idris Elba delivered as Heimdall. There was no place this film went wrong with acting and with the steady pace of humor and action, was very much what it set out to be… a blockbuster.

SPECIAL EFFECTS 

CAUTION: Spoilers, dead ahead!

AV: Okay Ponty, for me, to even discuss SF/X in a movie, I need to see something I haven't seen before. Not landmark, just a story prop that pushes (or even just nudges) the movie-going experience in a new direction. Thor:TDW does that. The trans-dimensional slug-fest that is the movie's grand final is furiously fast and fun. Watching Loki morph into several noted characters and even into the star-spangled Steve "Captain America" Rogers, was terrific. The fight scenes were big, bad-ass and bold. Seeing the 9 realms collapsing in on one another was awesome. The top notch effects were stunning and I dare say, 3D made it just that much better. Pontificator, your thoughts? 

TP: I expected no less than awesome Vader, and this film delivered like the mailman. I don’t know where to begin, and the film didn’t know where to end (literally). The weapons of the Dark Elves were jaw-dropping and the landscapes of the realms were spectacularly rendered. I shouldn’t have to mention that a film like this should be seen in IMAX 3D because the sound and effects are soooo much better! I know it’s an often overlooked part of the effects, but costume design goes a long way to set the tone of the film and adds to the overall effect, that makes the film special. 

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK

AV: This movie goes deep, Ponty. Real deep. Forget the greater exploration of Asgard or the heavily discussed mid-credit scene with the Collector. I want to look to two different examples specifically. First, let's talk about Erik Selvin's  blackboard. This one scene could be harbinger of years of forthcoming Marvel movies! On this board, Erik outlines The Fault (Planet Hulk anyone?), the Crossroads (hello, Inhumans!) and the board even went as far to call out Earth 616. Good lord, Ponty!

Second, the visuals of the Nine Realms converging in on Each other. Did we see the 'flaming realm', Muspelheim? The realm ruled by the 900-foot evil of Surtur and his legion of Fire Demons? Are you kidding me? This is one fan-boy about to plotz over the implications of this board! Pontificator, please tell me I'm not alone here! 

TP: You are not alone Vader. Looking deeper, it was clear this film had so much more of all the elements that made the first film so good. There was no shortage of humor, I mean the kind that has you laughing out loud…but it was well contrasted to the dire feel of imminent doom the Dark Elves represented, and spectacular action sequences that broadened the scope of the film. At times it felt like a war film, at other times a buddy flick. There have been many times in the books where the brothers have teamed together for a common goal, and the betrayal of Thor by Loki is always an inevitable end. I was very pleased how those elements were played out onscreen and even knowing the scenario, was presented as fresh as the first time it ever happened.

To add to your “nugget list” Vader…how about the rock creature Thor dispatched at the beginning being from the very first Thor comic book appearance, Journey Into Mystery #83…? Want more? The same creature was seen in the Planet Hulk animated movie, so now we actually have two ties to some future smashing seen in this film. Sounds like we’re coming full circle here.

ON SEQUELS

AV: I have always said; "The greatest trick Marvel ever played was to convince the world Thor was legit." – and this movie (ahem) hammers that point home–in spades.  As an obscure Marvel character, the success of Thor and Thor TDW are true testament that Marvel is capable of making fun, engaging movies that entertain and build the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The truth is, Thor has been developed over 50 years (debuting in 1962 in Journey into Mystery #83) and if Marvel makes this movie matter, they have a rich and plentiful reserve from which they can pull new stories, new characters and new blockbusters. Bring me more Thor! 

TP: Well it goes without saying that Marvel is going big for its onscreen universe and this film sets up for the story to continue, in so many ways than the obvious.

RATE IT!

ARTH VADER rates Thor: The Dark World: For the sake of full disclosure, there are some continuity problems with this film and their are a ton of places the uninitiated casual moviegoer can get completely lost. But even if you were unable to follow the story, the movie is entertaining and delights with a careful formula of whimsical dialogue, character-driven intrigue, and enough special effects to appease even the most dissuaded sci-fi fan. In short, Thor TDW delivers. So with a mighty burst of lightening, Thor: The Dark world electrifies 9 (9) busted—and vaguely Tesseract-looking–busted blocks. Ponty?

THE PONTIFICATOR rates Thor: The Dark World: This film was better than the first in nearly every category, except maybe the romance… but I didn’t come to see the God of Thunder get soft over a mortal. I came for pulse-pounding action, worlds in peril… and Loki, and I got all three! With a great story to fill the interim before Marvel onscreen explodes, great special effects and superb character acting, this film thunders in at nine (9) busted blocks.

BUT WAIT—THERE'S MORE! (This part is purely for the geeks. Oh and uh… SPOILERS!) 

AV: So we do have to speak for just a moment, on the mid-credit scene shot by director James Gunn. The scene was curious fro me, Ponty. To those who missed it or forgot, Lady Sif (Jamie Alexander) and Volstagg (Ra Stevenson) deliver one of the Infinity Gems to The Collector (Benicio Del Toro) in an effort to keep more than one from being in Asgard (there are six total). The Tesseract (from the Avengers) is widely believed to be the Mind Gem. If indeed this scene holds true to Marvel cannon, then the red gem that was turned over was the Power Gem. This is an awesome development.

In the scene, an untold number of intergalactic items of interest can be viewed by including a member of the Flora Colossus, if not Groot himself of Gunn's forthcoming Guardians of The Galaxy. And then of course, is the cocoon. IS Adam Warlock inside? Wearing the Soul Gem? Ponty, help me out here, because I honestly can barely keep it together

TP: I’ve seen this film a few times, and always sit there and try like heck to figure out what I’m looking at in that scene. I know there are nuggets there…and worse still, they are probably the most obvious one’s we’re overlooking.

 

Thor: The Dark World 9 / 10 Busted Blocks 

Re-Introducing Wolverine. Again.

Following the 2009 debacle of X-Men Origins: Wolverine, FOX inches ever-closer to getting it right with The Wolverine.

ON CONTINUITY

ARTH VADER (AV): At this point, continuity in all these non-Marvel Studios movies is a joke, Pontificator. Without going down the long, winding (and uninteresting) road of not following the source material, these (mutant) movies can't even follow their own story arc in chronological succession. I can be somewhat forgiving on this topic but it can't be ignored. The last Wolverine movie–that supposedly took place in the 1970's–left Logan without memory and grabbing a brew at bar in Japan (see post-credit cut scene from X-Men Origins: Wolverine). So what happened here Ponty? Did Logan not like his Japanese beer and left to go hang with the X-Men for a while before heading back to hibernate in Alaska? I'm confused...

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): This film takes place after the events in X-Men: Last Stand (instead of X-Men Origins: Wolverine), so the continuity remains intact (if you swallow the red pill), as far as the films are concerned Vader. As far as keeping pace with the comic books, the X-Men films by Fox Studios left continuity behind a long, long time ago... in an alternate universe (my best guess).

CASTING, DIRECTING, ACTING

AV: Until the day I draw my final breath, Hugh Jackman will evermore be Wolverine to me. There, I said it. Newcomer actress Tao Ocomoto may just yet become my newest movie actress crush. Smart, sophisticated and mysterious, her portrayal of Logan's one true love, Mariko was great. Director James Mangold (3:10 to Yuma, Girl interrupted)'s vision of Wolverine was captivating. While the screenplay certainly had some holes, the casting was spot on in The Wolverine. So much so that any movie goer, fan boy or other, could watch and have a really good time. Your thoughts?

TP: Hugh Jackman is Wolverine... until they find someone better to fit the role. He has branded the character with his own interpretation of Logan, and it has been pretty good. The overall acting the film was alright and I had no real complaints except for Svetlana Khodchenkova... who I found to be unnecessary and a waste of a character. I’ll get more into that later, but the slow pace of the film didn’t do it any favors either. To be a true summer blockbuster, you have to come stronger than this film O’Dark One.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

AV: Two parts of the film stand out as ridiculous SFX shots, Ponty. First, the train scene. While this scene may very well eclipse every good moving action sequence in the history of the action movie genre, this train ride seriously goes (ahem) off the rails–at 180 mph. Its a ridiculously fun action sequence that serves no purpose but to deliver gratuitous levels of adrenaline-soaked mayhem. The second is the end sequence featuring the robotic and awkwardly re-imagined Silver Samurai. While the premise of the idea is just downright stupid, it looked phenomenal. Kind of a running theme in this film. 

TP: <Snikt>...we’ve seen it a million times now, the popping of the claws, the healing factor, and so I wondered where could they find an opening to dazzle me with effects? Fortunately the filmmakers have learned all the lessons taught by others in CGI and were able to pull off the Silver Samurai much better than I anticipated. It was menacing and believable... unlike the train fight scene which was not new (see: Skyfall, Spider-man 2 and Mission Impossible) and quite predictable. Aside from the Silver Samurai, there was nothing being offered in this film in the effects department, that hasn’t already been digested before.

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK

AV: It's a tired conversation to state these non Marvel Studios films go off on weird story arcs and unnecessary tangents. These screenplays butcher perfectly legit stories and dumb them down to experiments in absurdity. The Wolverine suffers from a wandering, listless identity crisis... BUT, the first half of this movie is introspective, exceptionally well shot and so rich in character-driven story telling, it may be amongst the best I have seen. The end is unfortunately a mish-mash of bunk that is as hard to swallow as it is to watch. The beginning feels very much like an entirely different movie than the ending. That said, I liked it overall and would encourage others to check it out as well. P-Man? 

TP: I don’t know exactly where they dropped the ball here Vader, but I can think of a few areas that certainly need some attention, starting with the plot. With so much material in comics, for the plot to be so shoddy is inexcusable. Somehow we are supposed to believe that the gratitude of having your life saved culminates in a murder plot for the one that saved it. Umm... lame. In comics the Silver Samurai has innate power, so why not simply keep that instead of making Viper a mutant... which she certainly is not. Such a rich and profound character reduced to a “mutant” cameo... sad. On top of all that, losing the claws was just dumb. All it did was open the door for a future plot device, equally ridiculous. The complete mish-mash of so many comic elements from past Wolverine stories, thrown together with no coherent plot, made this film as dicey as the bloodless ninjas on the business end of the claws.

ON SEQUELS

AV: As of the writing of this post, Hugh Jackman is discussing a four-picture, $100 million deal that would cement him as Wolverine for the foreseeable future. There is no doubt we will see him in future installments. The post-credit sequence is clearly a build-up to X-Men: Days of Future Past, due out next summer (2014) and his one of the most exciting moments in the film. We need more Wolverine and we demand better scripts! Ponty?

TP: Why was I so sure somebody wanted to look back on the Wolverine films and say “trilogy”? Now you say four? I shudder to think where they will go next because they never seem to get there via the familiar roads already paved. Yes, after the credits we get teased by a scene that looks toward the future for the X-Men... but that doesn’t make me any more optimistic about another Wolverine film... never mind another two.

RATE IT!

ARTH VADER Rates The Wolverine: Somehow, even after a fifth appearance on screen, the Wolverine is almost but just not quite there. It's fun, he's furry, he's furious and unfortunately the screenplay still plays like a schizophrenic day dream. But that doesn't stop this from being a frenzied, fun-filled fight fest full feral, flash-ripping fun (don't worry true believers, the theatrical release sports a PG-13 rating but the forthcoming director's cut Blue-Ray DVD will show this movies true color: Red!). Though it still struggles to find it's sense of self, The Wolverine is worthy of a healthy eight (8) Adamantium-filled busted blocks. 

THE PONTIFICATOR rates The Wolverine: I really tried to like this film and it helped to have some good scenes and Jackman’s rendition of the character be so endearing, but in the end, much of it was stale. Even though I enjoyed the Silver Samurai (changed as he was), the final battle was somewhat anti-climactic and the waste of Viper and the opportunity for some serious ninja scenes left me feeling heavy... and left this film only able to slice six (6) busted blocks.

The Wolverine: 7/10 Busted Blocks

Lots of Man, Not So Much Iron

The exciting–and curiously deviant–Iron Man 3 leaves lots of questions concerning the future of Marvel's Iconic Tony Stark.

ON CONTINUITY

ARTH VADER (AV): Iron Man 3 is a fun, frantic and fractured look at arguably the most iconic personality in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As an Iron Man movie it was cool, but we got a little less Iron and a little more man in this third installment of the franchise. The MCU owes everything to Iron Man, Tony Stark and Robert Downey, Jr. This movie is the first big Marvel movie effort to drop in Marvel's vaunted Phase II, the first post-Avengers cinematic release and this film took a very strange turn for the Golden Avenger. 

THE PONTIFICATOR (TP): Marvel has been pretty good with continuity within the movie universe they have created and this film is no exception. If you stuck around after the credits, then you saw the tie-in to the Avengers movie(s). Now if we are comparing it to the comics for continuity and accurate portrayal of the material, then there are a few areas where this film falls short... specifically, the Mandarin.

CASTING, DIRECTING AND ACTING

AV: It's been said once, if not a thousand times, Robert Downey Jr IS Tony Stark. Honestly, if anyone out there happens to be reading this blog and  you don't at least know who Stark is, even just by earlier movies, stop here because NONE of what we have to say will matter to you. Marvel movies are nothing if they're not deep characterizations–and IM3 delivers. Curiously, Jon Faveau did not direct here and I, for one, noticed. 

TP: Everyone is back, and everyone did what was expected of them. Robert Downey Jr is Tony Stark, there is no question. Don Cheadle was given the opportunity to showcase why James Rhodes should be considered for his own film. It remains to be seen if he made the case well enough. Guy Pearce has established himself as a movie bad guy and just added to that legacy with his role as Dr. Killian. I expected Ben Kingsley to blow me away as the Mandarin, but instead was disappointed my expectations weren’t met... while at the same time Kingsley delivered within the role he was given.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

AV: As THE premiere hero of Marvel's 'technology age' of comics, Iron Man is all about tech and SFX. This movie offers some very cool effects shots I will call out two of my favs. First, the Extremis villains are fantastically portrayed on screen. Watching limbs regenerate and hyper-intense molten skin shots were great to establish a sense of villainy–more than just another super-villain or tech robot. It's so well done, the effects feel understated and thats some of my favorite kind of SFX.

Next is the 'armored legion' of remote controlled Iron Man suits at the movie's finale that are a fitting tribute to (Tony) Stark's incredibly cool genius as an inventor, scientist and arms dealer-turned- power magnate. Watching almost four-dozen Iron Men onscreen at once.. well, it was enough to make me plotz. Pontificator? 

TP: Although they were excellent as expected Vader, I also feel that there was an opportunity missed here to do something above and beyond, to push the envelope to a place we haven’t been yet. Don’t get me wrong, I wasn’t displeased with the effects... in fact I was very happy to see all the different armors although I wish they could have went more in depth with the differences between the types of armors. The tidbits they showed were just enough to wet my whistle, but I wanted to be dowsed in armor envy.

TAKING A DEEPER LOOK

AV: There were a few things that I took issue with in the film. First, I hated the fact that the Mandarin was essentially a joke. He's just way too cool a character (in the Marvel comic world) to laugh-off and make into some sort of dopey prop. Sir Ben Kingsly did a stellar job as a reluctant world-class terrorist – but it was still very disheartening. 

Next, why is Stark blowing up all the armor? I love the story arc showing us how Tony is 'letting go' of the Iron Man persona and making the story more about Tony than about Iron Man, but seriously WHAT THE HELL? Are you kidding me? It's insane. Sure he can make more but… ugh! 

Lastly… surgery to remove the arc reactor? Again, the storytelling aspect offered great symbolism but come on! That's why there's an Iron Man in the first place. I felt VERY much like Marvel was writing off Iron Man (yes I did read in the credits that "Tony Stark will return) but this was another huge mis-step to me. I'm not alone here am I Ponty? 

TP: No Vader you're not alone. There was misuse... and missed opportunity. That about sums up this film. The Mandarin was a chance to really do something spectacular, and instead it was simply a plot point to take us somewhere else. That somewhere else we were taken was to another missed opportunity in the form of Extremis. Surprisingly they stayed pretty accurate with what it does and how it works, but to not have Stark incorporate it into his tech, as he did in the comics, was probably (and quietly) one of the biggest missed opportunities of recent filming. It was a chance to take the special effects a notch higher. It was a chance to springboard in the upcoming Avengers film. It was a chance to take the character into a new direction... something that would have added more punch to this film. It was interesting of them to play up Tony Stark more and show us more of the man inside the armor, but I went to see that man... when he’s IN the armor, with every expectation of going somewhere we didn’t go before. Unfortunately where we were taken wasn’t anywhere I wanted to be.

ON SEQUELS:

AV: Yes, please. As of the posting of this installment, Robert Downey Jr is asking for a reported $100 Million for a new set of appearances including Iron Man 4 (slated for a 2016 release), Avengers 2 (2015) & 3 (2018) and an undisclosed number of cameos in related and future inter-connected Marvel movies. I say he's worth every penny. It's a steal. Hello? Marvel Studios? This is a no brainer: make it happen. You will make two-dozen times that or more. What's the hold-up? Where's my pen…?

TP: I would have been content if this was an Iron Man trilogy... and they moved on to other characters and more Avengers movies. If they wanted to, they could make many more Iron Man films than just the next, but to do so (and do it well) would mean they would have to really dig back into the source material and come up with something broader in scope, but narrower in vision... and that would take an effort that I’m not sure Marvel would invest in.

RATE IT!

ARTH VADER Rates Iron Man 3: All said, I really liked this movie. A loaded story that featured a lot more Man than Iron but that was ok (who wasn't delighted by Tony's interaction with the kid or the Tony Stark: Spymaster sequence where he uses his inventiveness to fashion a deadly arsenal out of stuff from Home Depot?). While it left me with tons of questions–what's the future hold for Iron Man/Stark? How did Pepper get surgically cured from a gene-altering injection? Why were the Iron Men so easy to take down?–but I gotta say, as ever, I was blown away. 

Lots of humor, lots of great story and dialogue and a ton of Easter eggs for the fans (how about the giant "A" left standing in the rubble of Stark's house… West Coast Avengers anyone?). This movie is worth double the admission price –yes, I did it see it twice on opening weekend. All told, Iron Man 3 Repulsor blasts his way through to eight (8) glowing, white-hot busted blocks. 

THE PONTIFICATOR rates Iron Man 3: A good film with great effects and maybe a little too much comedy, I can’t help reflecting on those areas and missed chances to make this film even better. It was entertaining and fun, and in the final analysis, this is the true measure of why I even go to the movies. Even through all of this, the movie was able to uni-beam seven (7) armored blocks. 

Iron Man 3: 7.5/10 Busted Blocks