Wonderful! They absolutely played this one just right.

Rating: Null/10 (22 April 2013)

I love the fact that Marvel knew "we can't go bigger than we've just gone." Meaning that to try and follow Avengers with bigger wild action would have been futile. So, they went in a unique, deeper and more powerful direction. Sure there are stunning action sequences but everything is in context of a greater theme and the entire story. They absolutely played this one just right. They let The Avengers sit on its own and didn't do anything but feed off the momentum and actions of that film.
Everything here is focused on Tony Stark and his immediate universe. Avengers 2 is the last thing on anyone's mind watching this and, as much as I loved Avengers, that's a good thing. Everything needs to kind of re-set and take a breath. This movie is NOT concerned with being connected to anything larger or having Nick Fury come in and solve or oversee anything. The events in The Avengers are addressed but only felt as to their effect on Tony's psyche. This movie is about Tony Stark's journey after we've seen him last. It really does perfectly explore his character and develops him deeper than we have seen since the first act of the very first film. It really is the perfect way to go and everything is exceptionally well done.