The actors are all game, but even they can't save Iron Man 3... or is it Avengers 1.5?

Rating: 5/10 (3 June 2013)

"Iron Man" was one of the best superhero movies I had ever seen & "Iron Man 2" was a worthy sequel, despite many disagreeing. But some of the early information regarding "Iron Man 3" surrounding it's new, darker tone & the eventual trailers got me worried. It felt like the creators of "IM 3", like those from "The Amazing Spider-Man", wanted to go "Dark Knight' style too much.
But like "The Amazing Spider-Man", the darker tone didn't really distract from the actual film. Still, "Iron Man 3" doesn't live up to it's two predecessors.
Ben Kingsley's talent is just wasted as his potentially larger then life villainous character known as "The Mandarin" is subjected to a quasi "Batman Begins"-style twist & reduced to a drunk actor who doesn't know what's going on. On top of that the real Mandarin, Aldrich Killian (a very good Guy Pearce)is interesting enough to hold your attention, but his motivations just aren't there. They just aren't. So his plan is to kill the Vice president & then take over the US government? Really? Is this the Avengers version 1.5 or something? Loki's ambition on a smaller scale? Ah, whatever...
I was also surprised by the more graphic violence in relation to the two previous films. I don't mind graphic violence when it's done with caution & wit, but it just seems out of place in an Iron Man/Marvel movie.
Redeeming factors are the solid performances of the actors (especially Robert Downey Jr.)& the well staged action sequences, but at the end of the day I'll probably watch Iron Man 1 & 2 more then this one.