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Film Reviews Blog: 'Iron Man 3'

Iron Man 3 Official Trailer #2 (2013) - Robert Downey Jr. Movie HD by Rotten Tomatoes Trailers on YouTube

The Armored Avenger returns!

"Iron Man 3" does something very few threequels have accomplished, and many more fail to do: stay fresh.

True, unlike most franchises, director Shane Black (replacing series director Jon Favreau) doesn't have to reintroduce us to the characters years later, but we've seen this Iron Man in four films in the last five years, so it's easy to quickly get tired of seeing the same thing. Still, Black crafts new life for the superhero by taking Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark out of his comfort zone.

Picking up where last summer's blockbuster hit "The Avengers" left off, we see a more agile Stark fearing for the safety of his loved ones since his near-death fall from space. His home is destroyed (don't worry it's not a spoiler, this part is in the trailers), forcing him out onto the "streets" and fending for himself.

Instead of being introduced to many more characters like we were in the second film (Black Widow, Hammer, Ivan Vanko, Nick Fury and even a new Rhodes), we get to enjoy more screen time from our hero. After all, between all the action and comic nerdiness, Iron Man is what audiences want to see, not People magazine's most beautiful woman (sorry, Pepper).

Much like "The Avengers," "Iron Man 3" is full of action, wit and enduring characters that continue to demand the audiences' attention.

Perhaps the most attractive aspect of the film is all the suits -- much more suits. Without spoiling the end, all I will say is this is the most action-packed ending of all three Iron Man films. It might even top "The Avengers" (feel free to argue in the comments).

Without a doubt, this film will dominate the box office as one of the season's must-see films.

By the way, don't forget to stick around for the post-credits scene.

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