I’d describe this movie in two words, neither that I ever thought I’d use to describe it going in: Boring and lackluster. I loved the first “Iron Man” film. The second film was disappointing on my first viewing, but I appreciated it more after multiple viewings and I think it really helped tee up “The Avengers.” This movie gets off to a great start, with a really cool nod to the first film and the trademark humor we expect from the film series. After that, it’s just boring. It takes a long time to get to the first major action sequences, and when it arrives, it’s probably the best in the movie. Then it drags again, and the move battles two tough villains: Plot holes and the always cringe-worthy move of a hero relying on the help of a young kid. The final action sequence is good, but there’s a bit too much going on and most of it is irrelevant. This film also makes the Iron Man armors cardboard cutouts of the amazing suits we’ve seen before, and it doesn’t help that everyone and their mother seems to end up in one at some point. (Or, more often than not, nobody’s in them.) They seem to try too hard with the humor. They just keep trying until something finally works. Overall, the acting is solid. Ben Kingsley initially shines as the Mandarin, but after the direction they took with him, the less I say is better. There is a post-credit scene, but it’s more Shawarma than Thanos, so don’t get too excited.
** 1/2 out of *****