'Iron Man 3' lives up to the hype

Just days ago, I wondered if the newest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Iron Man 3, could possibly debut with the kind of crazy-high numbers that The Avengers put up when it opened one year ago. So far? This film is on track to do extremely well. In just a matter of days, it's raked in millions both domestically and internationally.

The reviews for Iron Man 3 were, for the most part, really solid in the win column. I've loved all of the Marvel movie offerings in recent years, with the sole exception being Iron Man 2. Because of this, I was excited but leery about my own expectations as I purchased the (really expensive) tickets to see Iron Man 3 in IMAX 3-D. I don't often spring for the full treatment, but when I do, I expect to be entertained for at least two solid hours.

It is with great joy that I tell you this: Iron Man 3 lives up to the hype, the fuss, the buzz and whatever else you want to call the frenzy that's surrounded this film leading up to its release. No, this latest Iron Man installment isn't a perfect film by any means, but it has all the elements that made the first Iron Man so much fun, and none of the boring messiness that weighed down Iron Man 2 so terribly.

Why is Iron Man 3 such a hit? In a nutshell, it has all the hallmarks of a true blockbuster film: It has mass appeal (with a built in audience of Marvel faithfuls like myself and, if you are reading this, probably you too). It has that wonderful, charming, snarky, roguish lead character of Tony Stark, played perfectly by the charming, formerly roguish Robert Downey Jr. He's our hero, certainly, but Stark is troubled.

Without giving too much away plot-wise, let's just say that Iron Man 3 picks up where The Avengers left off, to a certain degree. Tony Stark is truly haunted by the events that unfolded in New York City, where our beloved heroes battled the Chitauri and very nearly lost. Stark has some major post traumatic stress going on, complete with panic attacks and insomnia. And yeah, he's really freaked out about his Iron Man suit losing power. He's obsessed with making sure that never, ever happens again.

This was the main element that, to me, made Iron Man 3 so compelling. I've always loved Tony Stark, but the tie-in to The Avengers just keeps this whole ginormous Marvel story chugging right along perfectly.

Note: No spoilers, but trust me when I tell you to stay through the end of the credits for this film. Don't leave. Sit right where you are. It's worth it.

Robert Downey Jr. is at his best in Iron Man 3, rattling off some hilarious crackerjack humor with the kind of wit he possesses in spades. It's a great balance with the seriousness of Tony's PTSD issues, trust me. The man is funny, and the real credit, I suppose, goes to director and co-screenwriter Shane Black.

When we got home from the movie, I did a little digging and realized that yes, this is the same talented Shane Black who wrote the brilliant screenplay for 1987's Lethal Weapon. For a while in the 1990s, Black was the hottest thing going - until he negotiated a crazy amount of money for two scripts for movies that, to put it mildly, weren't worth the mega-cash Black was paid for them (with the worst offender being 1991's The Last Boy Scout, ugh).

After that, Shane Black went on to direct what I consider an excellent film, the witty crime caper Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005. Now, with Iron Man 3, Black is back. His witty writing is perfect for Downey Jr. as Tony Stark.

Another reason I felt Iron Man 3 lived up to the buzz: Ben Kingsley, and oh, Ben Kingsley. Again, I refuse to spoil too much, but Kingsley plays a bad guy and oh man, he's so over the top in a way only Kingsley can be. Mad props to Kingsley, who never gives a bad performance in any film. You'll love it.

And of course, we're back to the main reason I (and millions of others) rushed to the theater to see Iron Man 3: It's a blockbuster. It's a totally exhilarating, suspenseful thrill ride of a movie. The action scenes are entertaining and the final action scene of the film is truly jaw-droppingly great.

I liked Iron Man 3 as much, or possibly more than the first Iron Man (I'm going to go back soon and re-watch that one to be sure). That's all I could've hoped for.

Did anyone else see Iron Man 3 over the weekend? Do you agree with me that it's a home run superhero marvelous Marvel movie? I'd love to hear what you thought in the comments.

Photos courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter and LA Weekly