Following the enormous box-office success of last year’s The Avengers, Marvel are back to making standalone films for those superheroes involved in the blockbuster hit. The one to start it all was Iron Man, who made an instant impact in the superhero genre with his well-oiled debut film in 2008 which almost overshadowed the popularity of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight! But despite an underwhelming sequel in 2010, the metal-suited hero makes his big-screen return as he gears up for his third solo film (and the beginning of Phase 2 of the Marvel universe) albeit under a change of direction. With original helmer Jon Favreau electing to settle for a small role in this installment, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’s Shane Black replaces him behind the camera and reunites with his former actor Robert Downey Jr, who continues his impressive turnaround from celebrity bad boy to Mr. Hollywood….

SYNOPSIS: Having recently saved the world with help from his fellow Avengers, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr) struggles to cope with panic attacks much to the concern of his l0ver Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). But when a dastardly new villain named the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) starts reigning terror on innocent people and threatening to have the President killed, Stark publicly challenges the terrorist leader to a showdown with major preprecussions.

As was the case with The Avengers, Marvel have begun initiation on Phase 2 with this commanding sequel that ends up being one of the better threequels in film franchise history. While losing Jon Favreau’s direction was a disappointment to some, the promotion of writer Shane Black as his replacement proves an inspired choice as he carries on Favreau’s legacy. Once again he manages to lay out the witty dialogue but at the same time chooses to add more emotional frailties to Tony Stark that affect him throughout the film. For the first 40 minutes, Stark is his usual self, but once the Mandarin’s attack on his home takes place, the ego-mastic billionaire is forced to start over after being stranded in the snowy state of Tennessee. Though that segment half-way in the film may slow things down in the action department, it enables our hero to experience the bumpy ride that caused similar problems for Bruce Wayne in last year’s The Dark Knight Rises. But the explosive thrills don’t stay away for long, as Black succeeds in creating three enthralling set-pieces that keep you on the edge of your seat. The destruction of Stark’s condo is spectacular to watch, even if most of its footage was used in the trailer, while the daring rescue of several people falling from Air Force One is riveting and slickly filmed by the production team. However, the best is saved till last, as Iron Man and his robotic companions work together to tackle the film’s villain and his dangerous henchmen in an awe-inspiring showdown scene worthy of the big-screen experience. What Black also does well with (especially with Kiss Kiss Bang Bang) is his ability to include sharp wisecracks in his dialogue that continue to be spoken unmercifully by Robert Downey Jr. Even random characters get to indulge in the satirical writing that come from Black’s script including one henchman who decides to quit working for the bad guys because he thinks they are weird. Spearheading this installment for the third time, the flamboyant Downey Jr keeps us engaged in his portrayal of Stark as he brings the usual laughs and digs to the floor (the Christmas Story kid anyone?) but also conveys vulnerability to the character’s persona that has changed in the past couple of outings. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper becomes more central to the film’s plot as she grows fearful of her lover’s predicament, but their subtle attachment makes their relationship one of the strong points of the entire trilogy. Don Cheadle also works well with Downey Jr as the pair exchange quips about their superhero status’s while Guy Pearce produces another villainous portrayal (though not as memorable compared to his sinister turn in Lawless) as the slimy scientist Aldrich Killian who seeks revenge on Stark for not investing in his dangerous formula many years earlier. However, the most pleasant surprise in the cast is Ben Kingsley as he hams it up in his role as the intimidating Mandarin whose threats prove anti-climatic when the film’s ingenious (yet controversial) twist reveals a different side to him that wouldn’t have been expected in the comic-book.

But while some fans may be scorned over the Mandarin situation, my own criticism of the film comes from some strange decisions made by Black and his writing team. As most people have complained, Stark’s bizarre decision to challenge his nemesis by revealing his home address was never going to work out well, and it comes as no surprise that Total Film recently voted it the ‘dumbest moment’ in film history. The sub-plot involving Stark working with a young Tennessee kid named Harley comes across as too clichéd even in a superhero film, which was thankfully absent in the previous Marvel films. Though the dialogue between the two is humorous at times, it becomes rather tedious seeing someone as intelligent as Stark having to rely on help from a random kid who happens to be a whizz with technology. Finally, the addition of the lovely Rebecca Hall as Stark’s former flame Maya proves underwhelming, as her character’s back-story is rarely explored and ultimately comes to a crashing halt halfway in the film. However, it is fortunate that someone as talented as Jessica Chastain dropped out of the role previously!

VERDICT: Marvel Studios continue to pull no punches with their intent to crash, bang wallop entertainment as Iron Man (and the in-form Robert Downey Jr) makes another blistering comeback in Shane Black’s superior sequel.