Film Review: IRON MAN 3 (2013)

Director: Shane Black
Writers: Drew Pearce, Shane Black (screenplay), Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby (comic book)
Running time: 130 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Sci-Fi
UK Release date: 25^th April 2013

Watched at the Cinema Sunday 5^th May 2013.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE UNINTENTIONAL SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Having seen and enjoyed the previous two ‘Iron Man’ films, I though it only appropriate that I complete the trilogy with a trip to the cinema. A balmy Sunday afternoon, I knew it wouldn’t be too busy and I was right; only twenty or so punters, mostly youngsters with a parent or two for good measure. I had a most enjoyable afternoon’s entertainment, but was it a fitting end to this trilogy? Well I’ll tell you after this very brief summary.

Like all the Marvel films this one has quite a complicated plot, so bear with me here. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) discovers he’s suffering from anxiety attacks after the events that unfolded in The Avengers film (no clues here in case you haven’t seen it yet). It doesn’t help that there’s another bad guy in the scene; The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) who is taking credit for all kinds of odd explosions around the US and other parts of the globe. Also, a former lover, Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall) has reappeared on the scene, much to the annoyance of Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). It seems that Maya suspects her boss, Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) is working for The Mandarin. She is about to reveal this when The Mandarin strikes and blows up Tony Starks house. He survives but everyone else thinks him dead. He uses this to re-charge his batteries and form a plan to strike back at The Mandarin. To this end he elicits the help of War Machine (re-branded ‘Iron Patriot’), Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle). But who is really the power behind the throne?

A very well made film with the kind of top-notch special effects as we’ve come to expect from these guys. I’m not going to get into the 2D vs. 3D debate but I have to say I did watch it in 2D and I can’t really see how 3D would have improved it. All the performances were excellent as usual with Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow taking top plaudits (for me anyway). I also have to mention the young Ty Simpkins who plays a kid, Harley Keener, who befriends Tony when he’s ‘dead’. He played his part very well and we can only hope it leads to bigger things for the young man. I did enjoy this one though despite a rather complicated plot and the usual over-the-top fight sequence towards the end it’s definitely worth a look.

SteelMonster’s verdict: RECOMMENDED

My score: 8.2/10.

IMDb Score: 7.8/10 (based on 78,750 votes when this review was written).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300854/

MetaScore: 62/100: (Based on 43 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 79/100 (based on 288 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 83/100 (based on 140,414 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300854/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
The Mandarin: Ladies, children, sheep... Some people call me a terrorist. I consider myself a teacher. Lesson number one: Heroes, there is no such thing.

Tony Stark: I have a lot of apologies to make... Nothing's been the same since New York. You experience things, and then they're over. I can't sleep, and when I do I have nightmares. Honestly, there's a hundred people who want to kill me. I hope I can protect the one thing I can't live without...

Tony Stark: Dads leave. No need to be such a pussy about it.

Mandarin's Guard: [after Tony Stark incapacitates almost all Mandarin guards, the last one quickly surrenders] Don't shoot! Seriously, I don't even wanna work for them. They are so weird!

The Mandarin: My soldiers are coming. NOTHING can save you!
Tony Stark: We'll see about that.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ironman?ref=ts&fref=ts
Official Facebook Game: https://www.facebook.com/IronMan3GameS?ref=tn_tnmn
Official twitter: https://twitter.com/iron_man
Official Site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/quills/
Trailer:

Film Review: SEXY BEAST (2000)

Director: Jonathan Glazer
Running time: 89 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 18

Genre: Drama/Crime
UK Release date: 12th January 2001

Watched on Sky+ Friday 29th April 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

Whenever I’m in a conversation about British gangster movies, this one always comes up. Much to my dismay, I haven’t been able comment because, for one reason or another, I kept missing it. This was remedied recently when it finally re-appeared on TV. It’s an interesting film that’s marked by one particularly extraordinary performance and an awful lot of profanity (swearing).

Gary 'Gal' Dove is a retired gangster, he lives in Spain with his wife, Dee Dee. His friend, and ex-colleague, Aitch and wife Jackie live nearby and they barbecue, hunt, eat, drink and generally lie in the sun and have a good time. This is until the day Jackie receives a phone call from Don Logan. Don is a nasty piece of work who has decided he wants Gal to come out of retirement to do one more job. The thing is, Gal is happy with his life and doesn’t want to go back, but Don is on his way to persuade him. Also, an ulterior motive is revealed for Don’s visit that leaves all involved feeling quite uneasy. Now, the heist is being planned by crime boss Teddy Bass and it involves the robbery of a depositary owned by a character known as Harry, but can Gal be persuaded.

There is a really good cast in this one; Ray Winstone plays Gal very well, he has all the attributes to pull off this role with aplomb. Amanda Redman plays Dee Dee, his wife, Cavan Kendall is Aitch and Julianne White is Jackie. Teddy Bass is played by another well known British actor, Ian McShane, as is Harry, who is played by James Fox. But the star accolade must go to Ben Kingsley as Don Logan, I don’t know what he was on, but he pulls of a masterly performance in this one. It’s so different to everything else I’ve seen him in and I loved every minute he was on screen.

I really enjoyed this film, admittedly, the performance of Ben Kingsley has a lot to do with that, but there were also a few rather innovative touches that made the story a bit more interesting that it might have been. So, over all, it’s a pretty well made film with a decent cast, an interesting plot, one stellar performance and an awful lot of swearing… Recommended.

My Score: 7.5/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0203119/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sexy_beast/
Trailer:

Film Review: PRINCE OF PERSIA: THE SANDS OF TIME (2010)

Director: Mike Newell
Running time: 116 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

UK Release date: 21st May 2010

Watched at the cinema Saturday 22nd May 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

As a player of the original video game, back when computers were clunky and slow, I was quite interested to see how the Prince has evolved. I wasn’t disappointed; a lot of the moves and mythology from the original game survives in this film. Obviously the graphics are much better, and the film isn’t too bad either.

Dastan is an orphaned street urchin when he is taken in and adopted by King Sharaman, who has seen something he likes in the boy. He grows up alongside the kings’ two natural sons, Tus and Garsiv who treat him as an equal even though he will never inherit the throne. The king’s brother, Nizam is with the three brothers when they approach a city that the king has told them not to take. Nizam tells the brothers that a spy has found evidence that the city is making weapons for the Persia’s enemies. They take the city and Dastan comes into possession of a mysterious dagger that everyone seems interested in. Princess Tamina, who rules the city, also wants the dagger, but to protect it. The king comes to the city and is murdered, seemingly by Dastan. Fleeing for his life, he takes Tamina with him. That night, he discovers the dagger’s secret, it can turn back time, but only the person holding the dagger is aware of it. This makes the dagger a very powerful weapon. It will only work for one minute though before the sand is all used up. The magical sand is hidden below the city and if it is released, it will destroy the world. Can Dastan discover who really murdered the king, and can he and Tamina keep it safe from those who would use it for evil? Well, since I don’t want to spoil the ending, I’m not going to tell you right now.

As with previous Disney/Jerry Bruckheimer productions, I’m thinking of the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ films, there plenty of swashbuckling action. It’s a very well made film, as you’d expect with some very good special effects. Decent performances from all of the main cast, Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan, Gemma Arterton as Tamina, Ben Kingsley as Nizam, Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar, Steve Toussaint as Seso, Toby Kebbell as Garsiv, Richard Coyle as Tus and Ronald Pickup as King Sharaman.

A special mention for Alfred Molina as Sheik Amar, his comic role reminded slightly me of Robert Newton as Long John Silver. There was plenty of action, although I felt the ploy of running and jumping over rooftops was a little over used. Over all a very entertaining film with some great action and a pretty reasonable story, a great one to take the kids to! Recommended.

My score: 7.0/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0473075/
Official Site: http://adisney.go.com/disneypictures/princeofpersia/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi3849520153/

Film Review: TRANSSIBERIAN (2008)

Director: Brad Anderson
Running time: 107 mins (approx)
Certificate (UK): 15

Watched on Sky+ Saturday 23rd January 2010.

PLEASE NOTE: POSSIBLE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I always find films that involve a journey quite interesting. Maybe because of the ever changing scenery, or maybe because of the interesting people that are met on the way, I’m not sure. And so I came to this film with some anticipation. The setting is, not surprisingly, the Transsiberian railway that runs from Vladivostok on the East cost of Russia through to Moscow. There is also a line that joins the Transsiberian that runs north from Beijing in China.

A young American couple, Roy and Jessie have been doing some work for their church in Beijing and have decided to travel back to the States overland, and so they take the Transsiberian from Beijing. They share a cabin with another couple, Carlos, from Spain and Abby from Seattle. Carlos and Abby are worldly wise and advise the somewhat naive Roy and Jessie on how best to avoid attracting attention from the authorities. Jessie seems to get particular attention from Carlos, who shows her a collection of Russian nesting dolls that he says he plans to sell in Amsterdam. During a stop, Roy and Jessie get separated when Roy is accidentally left behind. Jessie has to wait at the next stop for Roy to come through the following day. Carlos and Abby decide to wait with her. Whilst there, Carlos takes Jessie out to photograph an old abandoned church out in the frozen countryside, leaving Abby back at the hotel. He starts to make a move on Jessie and, at first she responds, but then backs off. Carlos doesn’t like this and pursues her through the woods. Jessie, now desperate, picks up a piece of wood and hits him with it. She hits him with it several times and before she knows it, he’s dead. She heads back to the hotel and goes to the train station where Roy has just arrived. They continue their journey with a new cabin-mate, a narcotics detective, Grinko. He tells them how smugglers were now using mules to get heroin into the country and forming it into everyday objects. Looking in her case later, Jessie finds the Russian dolls Carlos had shown her earlier… I think that’s enough spoilers for now.

Quite a well made film with some good performances; some of the cinematography was really excellent. The setting was a little constricting, but the story seemed to flow quite well despite this. As I said, good performances from all of the leading cast, Woody Harrelson as Roy, Emily Mortimer as Jessie, Ben Kingsley as Grinko, Kate Mara as Abby, Eduardo Noriega as Carlos and Thomas Kretschmann as Klozak.

This is a film of two halves, the first half up to the murder of Carlos, and the second half involving the mysterious Detective Grinko. Although I found the first half slightly predictable, I thought the second half didn’t quite live up to expectations. It seems to be a recurring theme with modern thrillers; it’s almost as if writers have forgotten how to write an ending. Over all, it’s not a bad film, a good one to watch on a rainy Sunday afternoon perhaps.

My score: 6.3/10

LINKS:
IMDb Site: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0800241/
Official Site: http://www.firstlookstudios.com/films/transsiberian/
Trailer: http://uk.imdb.com/rg/VIDEO_PLAY/LINK/video/imdb/vi2246508825/