As the teaser states, I finally saw Iron Man 3. Worth it? Yes. But, it's a weak outing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Honestly, I don't think there is a movie less than good in the MCU. So, what killed the movie for me? The humor. I didn't want to believe it when I heard it. Went in with an open mind and around the time he leaves Harley, the humor starts appearing at unnecessary times, especially during the much more serious moments. At least **Spoiler Alert** when Pepper "Died" I was at least convinced through the peril they made the audience believe at that time and through Downey's performance **Spoiler end**. For once, you guys get to say "I told you so" I admit, the movie was as good as I said it would be. I was wrong. Anyways, what do I think Iron Man 3 means for the rest of Phase Two? Guarantee none of this hasn't already been heard but, here's my two cents anyways.
Much Darker Phase
Let's start with the obvious. Iron Man 3 went overkill with the humor (I honestly didn't like the end credits either. The credit scene was just fine). After seeing Iron Man 3 and seeing the trailer for, Thor: The Dark World. It's going to be much darker than one would think cause well, Marvel has been known for the more light hearted, family movies while DC is known for the darker, more serious movies. So, seeing the Thor trailer before Iron Man, It gave the overall sense that this is going to be but not exactly like "The Dark Knight" tone. Not brooding but, very dark and very threatening. Captain America: The Winter Soldier would be the best example we can give because of the story and how personal it is. Here is how I look at it. Phase One was pulpy, action packed and fun. Phase Two looks to be much darker, much more serious, much more personal. Filled with twists and cosmic elements (the cosmic part is speculation). Phase Three would be a dark end, new beginning. As in, dark finales (Cap 3, Thor 3, Avengers 3) and rise to a new beginning (Ant-Man, and whoever else).
Fantastic, Engaging Villains **Spoiler in this section, if you don't want to know what the big twist in the movie is incase you have NOT seen it, I suggest you skip this section**
Okay, so here's really where you guys are going to bitch and moan saying "They ruined the mandarin" "Killian is the fake Mandarin, they should bring in the real mandarin in Avengers 2",ect. Here's my take on this, The Mandarin wouldn't have worked well on screen. Seriously, alien tech rings? Can you imagine it working well on screen in a fight? No, I don't think so. Yes, **spoiler alert** Killian breathes fire **Spoiler end** but, it was to show the audience what extremis is capable of. His motivation? Not all villains need a great, master plan motivation. Some of them, just want one of two things. The first thing, as they say in "The Dark Knight" just want to watch the world burn. Some, as I gather from Killain in Iron Man 3. Have no real motivation except to show off their "power" and "greatness". Want to do wrong to those who did him wrong.
He didn't have much when he was crippled and now, he had the power, he wanted everything. That being said, Phase Two villains should be fantastic as they have great actors playing them. Well, Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers don't have them yet, well, Guardians don't to a degree. Guy Pearce was fantastic as always and did a great, Killian. I believe in Eccleston, I believe in Grillo, Redford, Stan (he's more-less the main villain) and anyone else in Phase Two as villains. We know they'll be great except Stan, I have yet to see him play a villain or in his case a "villain". But, I believe in them.
Twists
Not going into this one in case there are those here who still haven't seen it and don't know what the big twist in the movie is. All I'm going to say is, expect twists but I'm going to expect great twists cause this one made perfect sense and it worked. Not much to say here.
Events of The Avengers to effect our heroes
This is going to be the last section of this article. As Tony says in the movie "Nothing has been the same since New York. You experience things and they're over and you still can't explain them?" Tony definitely has some issues here in this movie, he has anxiety attacks and goes to his armor when he does cause he feels protected. The first demonstration of this was great. Loved it. Thor should be feeling effects from Avengers as well as Cap, hell, Captain America also determines where loyalties lie in Avengers 2. Things are definitely going to get interesting here in, Phase Two.
Well, that's all I got. Phase Two should be able to keep up with Phase One and be more interesting but better? We'll wait until after Avengers 2 to determine where it is compared to Phase One. Iron Man 3 in my opinion was pretty good. If I had to rank the cinematic universe from weakest to strongest, It would be: Iron Man 2, The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 3, Thor, Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel's The Avengers. Still no bad movie in the MCU but, the humor killed it for me. At least the acting, characters and action were all top notch. What are your thoughts on Iron Man 3? Excited for Phase Two? I still am but, not as much as I was hoping and not to start a flame war but, I still am not convinced Man of Steel will be the superhero movie of the year.