Reviewers miss the point. This really is a great movie!

Rating: 10/10 (4 May 2013)

I was stunned to see all the negative reviews for this movie. I avoided the reviews and spoilers and couldn't wait to see it since I have loved the Marvel movies so far and knew they were starting "phase 2". This movie really plays well off of the events in the Avengers without really relying on that movie. Tony has anxiety worrying he might fail, worrying that he is not able to protect Pepper now that he has someone he cares for more than himself and basically afraid that he cannot be good enough. Big difference from the swaggering Tony but he tries to keep up the swagger act.
Normally previews spoil surprises in the movie but I was very happy that here, the scenes shown in the previews were good and in the movie but in the course of the movie they actually played out differently than you would guess from the previews. For example, in the trailers/previews I thought several sequences took place well outside of the US but that was not the case. The previews did not spoil anything.
The plot was clear and fun. It took turns and was interesting. I have no idea how others think it was stupid and wonder if they actually saw the movie. People complain about the child and call him a sidekick or make fun of the hostage part. I found him to be a great addition and an effective way to further the story. The "hostage" thing with the kid was very minor and furthered the story in important ways. Far from being a silly plot device, I found it to be a smooth addition.
As for the comments about the Mandarin, things are not always what they appear. The movie was pretty clear about that over and over yet the plot twist involving him is something the naysayers take on faith. Marvel is starting phase 2 with this movie. Would the Mandarin twist fit into that or do you think there might be a lot more to it than was clearly apparent? Would Marvel have referred to him in the prior movies and put so much into the "ten rings" only to have it end like this? Viewers should ask themselves if Marvel would so misinterpret one of their major villains or would they just make people think that had to reveal more in a later movie?
As you watch the effects of the Extremis drug, see if your mind immediately goes to the Red Hulk? Could the Extremis effect be a springboard for characters in later movies? Better yet, how can it not?
I believe Marvel has shown that if we trust them a little, that trust will pay off. The naysayers are like fans who see the other team score first and just leave convinced that their team has lost. Yes, parts of the movie can be viewed as odd but don't most stories rely on creating a challenge for the heroes? I believe this is what we see here. It is a great movie that leaves some odd questions but I believe they will be answered soon enough