An early installment to this summer's blockbusters, Iron Man 3 delivers plenty of action, even if not much substance. This sequel to Iron Man 2, directed by Shane Black to a screenplay he co-wrote with Drew Pearce, makes some attempts at a changed Tony Stark, aka Iron Man, but fails with creating believable motivation for the film’s villain. The film enjoys fine acting by its cast, led as before by Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle, with Guy Pearce, Rebecca Hall and Ben Kingsley in main supporting roles. While the Stark character enjoys moments of dry humor, perfectly delivered by Downey Jr, episodes of anxiety, portraying posttraumatic stress disorder, and a few sweet scenes of bonding between a weakened, yet not broken Iron Man, and a bullied boy who assists him, somehow these seem to be more of decorations to the hero's figure rather than signs of any substantial transformation. Far worst is the treatment of the villain who, by no fault of Guy Pearce, acts without any clear reasoning. Still, the film has a twist or two and is packed with dazzling action – a little over the top when it comes to its finale.
Since its clear this franchise still has plenty of installments to come, one can only hope future chapters will deliver more than just fireworks.