Third time's the charm; Buckle up!

Rating: 9/10 (5 May 2013)

IRON MAN 3 (2013) ***1/2 Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall, Ben Kingsley, Jon Favreau, James Badge Dale, Stephanie Szostak, William Sadler, Dale Dickey, Ty Simpkins, Miguel Ferrer, (Voice of Paul Bettany). Third time's the charm in the indefatigable Marvel Comics' superhero franchise with Tony Snark (er, Stark - Downey in smart mode) facing the pitfalls of THE AVENGERS' after-math with an international terrorist, The Mandarin (Kingsley), out to destroy America with the help of genius bioengineer Pearce who has a personal ax to grind with Stark and his main squeeze Pepper Pots (Paltrow having more to do thankfully and with pithy aplomb). More wows and guffaws thanks to loosey-goosey direction by Shane Black (who collaborated on the fun and fast screenplay with Drew Pearce) and some nicely attuned set pieces (my fave, the hairy "Barrel of Monkeys" free-fall). Buckle up!