I thought it was alright

Rating: 6/10 (3 May 2013)

I guess I should start off with the things I didn't like then wrap it up with the things I did.
I can't say that I liked the first 30 minutes/hour of the movie. It took a while to build some momentum and get off the ground not to mention that it was extremely 'kiddie' at some parts; some of the lines in particular felt extremely corny to the point of being cringe worthy. At times it felt like I was watching a cartoon because of some of Stark's humor and I can't say that I liked the whole 'nerdy guy gets back and becomes a villain' clichÃ©, especially out of something as small as getting stood up by Stark on the roof. However despite this you'll have to accept that these movies are specifically geared toward a younger demographic and not the aging comic book fanbase. Another downside I felt was that it was a little too much like Kiss Kiss Bang Bang at parts specifically with the narration and the whole Christmas theme was a little forced.
I was also pretty disappointed that there was NO AC/DC or Black Sabbath in the movie and got replaced by a generic superhero orchestra. I actually liked the Mandarin because it wasn't going to try to take a sensationalized anti-Eastern creation from a silver age of comics and try to apply it in a contemporary context. It was also a good way to have some sort of commentary as far as figureheads go, be it in the form of myths and/or symbols to perpetuate the initiatives of the state. I thought this was probably the most 'elevated' form of a villain I've seen in a comic book movie to date if anything.
And even though the beginning of the film severely lacked it more than made up for it toward the last part with the action sequences. My jaw was literally dropped wide open at the scale and sheer artistry of the choreography. It made me glad that Shane Black took this movie up. This was the kind of action that made the movies of the 80s and 90s action films so memorable kids.
If this was a concluding movie I think it capped off the story perfectly and I likened it over TDKR and its hamfisted Christ allegory.