Iron Man 3 Review

Stark and his beloved Iron Man in Iron Man 3

Photo Credit: Marvel Studios 

Iron Man 3

B

A Review by Frederick Cholowski

Last year Marvel and Joss Whedon changed the mold of the super hero film with the Avengers. They took their characters and put them into a bigger situation where the stakes were off the charts and the action was bigger and bolder than ever. Cut to this year Marvel and writer director Shane Black attempt to deal with the aftermath of the aliens with the most charismatic of the avengers Iron Man. Like it’s predecessor (which 3 years ago I grossly overrated) Iron Man 3 tires to do some interesting things and goes into some interesting directions but ends up never going all the way and thus suffers from unevenness and ultimately falls apart by the time the climax comes along.

After the events of the Avengers Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is experiencing some serious PTSD. Stark can’t sleep at night so he continues his “hobby” of sorts building newer technology to try to keep the love of his life Pepper Pots (Gwyneth Paltrow) safe. In the process he seems to alienate Pepper and the people who he cares about due to being constantly involved with his toys. When things are beginning to go downhill a new threat to the country begins to arise, the deadly terrorist who goes by The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley). The Mandarin is setting off a series of bombings in other countries and sets his other target straight for Stark himself. This forces Stark to go on the run and find out key information about the Mandarin and about an old demon from the past Aldrich Killian (Guy Pierce) who is also causing some trouble.

Iron Man 3 tries to play with its setup by visiting Tony’s Psyche and for the most part this attempt succeeds. The middle of the film is a true treat as the film deviates from being a high action picture and is, if only briefly, something more. The film deals with survival, relationships, and mental illness briefly and is more successful for it.

The problem is that this is a summer blockbuster and thus doesn’t commit all the way. The audience is quickly reminded that this is a superhero movie throughout with attempts at small set pieces while Tony is temporarily out of the action. It leaves the pace of the film feeling uneven and unsure of itself throughout the middle of the film. By the time the film reaches its climax it becomes a full on superhero film and ultimately disappoints. The film’s climax, like the first two films in the series (it feels even more so in this film), is its Achilles heel as it’s a generic mess that tries too hard to be crowd pleasing. By the time the end of the film roles around all of the films neater ideas seem to have left and the audience is again reminded that this is ultimately a formulaic superhero film.

That doesn’t mean it isn’t enjoyable. For the most part the film is written sharply enough and there are many good times to be had throughout the film. Robert Downey Jr. remains in top shape and at this point he is Tony Stark. Downey never feels like he is going into auto pilot here as he seems like he is constantly engaged in the film and it’s a pleasure to watch. Downey is only matched by Ben Kingsley who is just as fantastic as The Mandarin (for the most part for reasons that I can’t divulge in this review unfortunately) who is succulently terrifying as the terrorist who can attack at a moment’s notice. Paltrow is still solid, although she has little to do, in this one and Guy Pierce get’s to play a sleaze like only Guy Pierce can.

The direction by Shane Black fits right in with the prior Iron Man films. The film looks and sounds good yet familiar, pointing out how unremarkable Favreau’s direction was in the last two films. That being said the set pieces present in the film, while not as spectacular as the Avengers, are solid and work on many levels. There is enough excitement and tension built in the action sequences that it provides a solid ebb and flow, and there are a few that stand out here and there (like an airplane sequence teased in trailers). The score is generic enough but works well to cover moments with new and familiar tracks.

Ultimately Iron Man 3 is a good way to start the summer, but it’s really nothing special. The film is solidly written, acted, and has some cool set pieces but can’t seem to shake the normal rhythm of a superhero film. All the different ideas presented at the opening of the film are lost by the mish mashed climax. Iron Man 3 is a solid film overall but can’t escape feeling like another Marvel Superhero film.

Mad Men “Man with a Plan” Review: Epic Mind Games

 Don draper observing the creative room on Mad Men

A little bit of a longer (but still shortish) review of tonight’s Mad Men as soon I introduce Bob Benson…

“First day of school, you nervous?”

-Ted

And so the morning after begins. After last week’s impulsive decision to merge agencies Mad Men picks up with the direct aftermath. Egos collide,mind games begin to be played, and history is repeated in another week of great Mad Men.

Before we start with the office let’s begin with Don’s first mind game target this week, Sylvia. The episode starts with Don overhearing (through the elevator of course) a furious Sylvia telling off her husband and him taking to the chase afterwards. Don’s attempts to control Sylvia once she claims that he is all she needs, in a creepy yet fascinating turn of events that takes on many forms. At first Sylvia is intrigued and almost turned on by Don’s control, but slowly realizes what Don is doing isn’t very good at all, in fact it’s brutally manipulative. Sylvia drops out of the manipulative affair leaving Don lost as a puppy and doesn’t understand the situation, he’s lost another mind game and is forced to return to his marriage looking worse than ever before.

The power struggle in Don’s affair is a part of one of the episode’s main themes history repeating itself. Peggy returns to the same office with a similar introduction (although now on much friendlier terms then way back in the first season) by Joan and to the same emotionally abusive and self destructive boss she tried to get away from last season. Peggy is again uncomfortable in the new environment with a group of people she didn’t want to return to surrounding her again. Don hasn’t changed much since the last time again using harsh words to describe his feelings towards her and often emposing the same shadow upon her. He just isn’t empathetic and understanding like Teddy was and still is. It’s a return to a familiar yet unflattering situation and brings home how history is beginning to repeat itself.

But this time history is a little bit different. Last time Peggy moved in and the agency was introduced Don didn’t have a near equal to contend with like Ted. Ted is a Don who shows up on time with collaborative ideas and not the self destructive mess of a worker that Don manages to be. Don tires to take Ted down a peg with a drinking session (not unlike the one he tried to put Roger through in season 1) and at first it seems to work, but ultimately it seems childish and mundane. Ted rises above as he flies Don to a Mohawk airline meeting and ultimately get’s Don to let him take the lead. While much is parallel to an earlier time in the office much will change and the working relationship between Don and Ted is one of those larger changes.

Then there is Pete who is now getting shut out and outmatched in both his professional and personal lives. His dementia laden mother now has to stay with him at the least opportune of times as Pete begins to be shut out of his work (for example Don and Ted go to the Mohawk meeting without Pete). Despite her Dementia Pete’s mother seems to be correct with her analysis of her son and it seems to be hitting Pete in tough ways.

The episode ends with history repeating itself again with the death of another Kennedy. As with the rest of the show history repeats itself slightly differently with a different Kennedy being shot in a different way than before. After the last Kennedy got assassinated Don’s life went into a downward spiral, it will be interesting to see if history will repeat itself in that regard again.

Some other Musings:

• Another point of history repeating itself Burt Peterson returned to the Sterling Cooper area again only to be fired by Roger right away. Roger seemed to take even more pleasure out of it as well.

• Bob Benson!!! Yes Bob learned the power of being nice to people this episode as him caring for Joan saved his job (and put him closer and closer to potentially screwing over Pete). Good old Bob also had a great scene with Burt Peterson after he was fired.

• While I feel bad for Peggy the character it’s great to see Jon Hamm and Elizabeth Moss getting to act in the same room again. They have always had great chemistry.

• With the relationship of Don and Meghan going the way it is do we need to see Betty ever again? I always ask this but I like the show so much better without her and Henry’s storylines.

• On the same kind of topic there hasn’t been much Sally so far…

For the last week I have exams so the review might be late or super short again next week but after that freedom!

That’s just me though, what did everyone else think?

Mad Men: “For Immediate Release” Review: Some Quick Thoughts

 Roger and Don waiting for the Chevy pitch in Mad Men

A really quick array of bullets on tonight’s Mad Men (sorry I’m still in full exam mode) as soon as I fall down the stairs well being furious…

“Never felt better in my life.”

-Don

Wow that was amazing! If last week’s episode was my least favorite episode then this was easily my favorite (no contest)! What an entertaining hour of television! Here are some quick thoughts before I retreat back into my hiddy hole:

• Pete fell down the stairs! And there is a gif! http://i.imgur.com/oQnzqR3.gif  (sorry had to get that out of the way)

• So many parallels in this one (you’d think that David Simon wrote it). Let’s start with Don and Pete. At the premiere I mentioned that Pete was trying to do affairs like Don and ended up failing at it. Here he tries to get out of situations like Don and utterly fails at it. Mind you Don only gets out of it through a series of lucky coincidences and his actions will still have major consequences. It’s all about how it ends up though and Don’s impulses end up with a merger and Chevrolet and a dumping with Herb and Pete get’s a divorce and a loss of an account.  Both are reckless and utterly impulsive, one ends well the other ends with utter destruction.

• Speaking of the merger there were some great callbacks to the two best Mad Men episodes ever (“Shut the Door and Have a Seat” from season 3 and “The Suitcase” from season 4) in this one. First instead of yelling at her and breaking down crying when distressed Teddy kisses Peggy! And Peggy likes it! A great parallel drawn to Don before Don actually merges with Ted and his company! For Chevy! That scene in the bar was one that was absolutely fantastic, with the conversation of how they weren’t going to win apart but they could, crazily enough win together. So very, very great!

• Even better Peggy’s shock! Peggy get’s to walk in to that room expecting one thing and get’s Don telling her that they got it. The horror that Peggy was feeling in that moment was perfectly conveyed by Elizabeth Moss. Peggy has to go back to working for the man she tried to get away from for 2 seasons and when she finally did, she ends up right back where she started. I can’t wait to see how this new dynamic turns out in the next few weeks.

• Poor Pete, poor little piggy. While I mentioned him a bit above Pete really screwed up this episode. First off trying to go public behind people’s backs (at least it gave Bert something interesting to do) was interesting. Then trying to be impulsive with his father in law who saw him in a brothel and losing both the account and his dwindling marriage was just sad to watch. Then again he really diserved that one, he’s had it coming for a while.

• While Joan only got a few scenes in this one, her reaction to Don dumping Jaguar was easily one of the many highlights of the episode.

• It’s good to know Megan isn’t dumb and knows that her Marriage was slowly going down the toilet and so she impulsively put on a dress that made her and Don have some loud wall sex.

• Secret agent Roger! Sleeping with a flight attendant easily one of the best things that you can do I guess. By the way Mad Men, doing ABC’s Pan Am better then Pan Am ever could.

• More impulses with Arnold quitting his job! Giving Don the chance to give some interesting Don phrases (call back to some “Shut the Door and Have a Seat” stuff)

What an amazing week for this amazing show! I can’t wait to see how this will play out! Easily one of the most entertaining hours of television that I have watched in a long time.

Remember I’m busy with exams again next week so next week’s review will either be late or look like this again…

That’s just me though. What did everyone else think?

Mad Men “The Flood” Review: Love and Death

 Don Draper will see you at the movies 

Photo Credit: Amc

A review of tonight’s Mad Men coming up as soon as I create a Molotov cocktail add…

“Everybody likes to go to the movies when they're sad”

-Bobby

When death hit’s chaos erupts. Especially when it is the death of a figure of great importance that dies. Mad Men delivered death and chaos in one of its most scattered episode to date. Yet the magic of Mad Men is that it managed to tie chaos into a theme and make the episode feel almost right. The Flood ends up being chaotic, emotional and a good hour of television.

The chaos comes from the death of Martin Luther King Jr. and the spoils of his legacy being poured onto the streets of New York. Matt Weiner and crew set up the tragedy properly, taking around 15 minutes to introduce the actual event and setting up the disposition of the characters. Don at the beginning of this episode is still distracted with the world around him, as evident with the scene early one when he asks his favorite couple Sylvia and Arnold where they are going after he knows where they are going (clearly missing Sylvia’s wondrous sex no doubt). Then the add awards sequence is set up quite naturally. The sweeping shots, the Megan and Peggy reunion, and the parallel to Ginsberg on an awkward date all seem to be normal in an episode of Mad Men. The scene starts with an interesting speech from Newman and then…

…Bang! Out of nowhere the episode and its tone take a massive turn for the worst. Out of nowhere the assassination of Martin Luther King is shouted out right in the middle of Newman’s speech and chaos. Mad Men sets the rest of the episode on how the characters react to the event and what kind of emotions and pent up frustration is brought up from the reactions. It’s truly devastating and powerful and brings out some good character moments.

The best part of “The Flood” are not the reactions in the moment per say (we saw how that went wrong in season 3 with the Kennedy assassination) but instead of how the characters deal with the melancholy on the day after the event. It’s powerful to see these characters who are all definitely affected by the tragedy have to live another day and deal with their lives as the life picks up the next day. Peggy for example has to deal with another day at work and an attempt to buy a new apartment. Peggy’s still reeling from the events that have happened and yet she gets a call from her retailer right away asking her to take a bid while everyone is still off guard. Life goes on as normal and the lives of these characters lives don’t stop with certain events. Thus emotional chaos happens.

Perhaps the idea of going on is best delivered through Ginsberg’s storyline (yes you heard that right) where it’s found out that Ginsberg seems to be afraid of women and dating. Yet his father keeps pushing even after the tragedy because it’s how we move on that counts and that someone always needs another especially in times of strategy. It’s an interesting concept presented in Ginsberg’s storyline and I would love to have some more regarding the strange “alien like” individual.

The storyline that didn’t work so well this week was Betty and Henry’s, because in all reality who really cares about Henry at this point. It was really out of place and uninteresting to listen to what Henry is going to be politician wise and even less interesting to see how he is reacting to the assassination. Henry and his relationship with Betty still seems just as uninteresting as ever and honestly I would be happy never seeing them again on this show. Not that the performances are bad or that they are poorly written or anything but because they always are the least interesting and good part of the show. It seemed oddly disconnected (even they were tied to the theme in some way) to go to Henry and Betty this week and it deterred from the characters that were actually fun to watch.

In the end though the best, most disturbing piece of next day fever was that of Don. The tragedy seemed to bring out the fact that Don really isn’t a great father at all. First off he forgets to pick up his kids again, and get’s scolded by Betty for it (in the part of Betty being there that actually helped the episode). Then he can’t connect with Sally, who is clearly mad at him, and thus they go out with Megan leaving Don and Bobby together to go to the movies. We see his inability to connect with his son in full display as he stumbles to find the right words to display his thoughts in the movie theater.

Then for Don comes realization, and maybe even as spark of transformation. In one of the best scenes Jon Hamm has delivered in a while, Don’s breakdown was the emotional high point of the episode. His speech about being a potentially fake and terrible father, until one is enlightened (like Don is when Bobby talks about people in the movies) and realizes the spark is still there. The sequence is a magical little piece of acting on Jon Hamm’s part and made the episode’s themes come singing through.

Ultimately the characters see transformation at the end of chaos. We see Don reevaluating his role as a parent, Peggy looking elsewhere for an apartment after she couldn’t get her first choice, and the world adjusting after the death of Martin Luther King Jr. Structurally the episode wasn’t entirely great this week but it provided many powerfully emotional and well acted moments to keep me reeling hours after it’s finish. Not great but certainly a solid hour of the show.

Some other musings:

• Randal, Roger’s client whom he clearly found through an acid trip provided a fun deviation this week with his very strange Molotov cocktail that was good for some dark humor. Roger’s reaction to it was priceless!

• Hey Harry when you’re being told off by Pete about how bad of a man you are then you need to start evaluating your life.

• Some callbacks from last season including pivotal scenes involving round tables at an add event and a movie theater.

• Apparently according to the lessons that Don teaches his children only important men are in danger. Hey at least it was a good shot at Henry.

• We need Stan and/or Ginsberg to have an episode or two. That would be golden!

A reminder that this is going to be the last review of Mad Men that will be out the night of for a few weeks now due to exams (so I can get some sleep before they happen). I’m hoping to chime in at sometime during the week but don’t expect these to be up right away for the next two or three weeks or so.  Unless something jaw dropping happens…

That’s just me though. What did everyone else think?