Marvel has really done something quite amazing with the Marvel cinematic universe. If you're a fan of the DC superheroes you can bow in and out of them as you please - like Batman but not Superman - fine - watch one and not the other. But with Marvel, to get the full experience and all the references, you really need to show up each time - especially to get the benefits of the Avengers when they all team up. It turns it into a really interesting and integrated series.
So that brings us to the third (or I suppose 4th) outing for Tony Stark. Tony easily has the most interesting arc of his entire series here. The events of the Avengers fucked him up. Iron Man started off as something very grounded in reality, and so it works nicely that as we expand the Marvel universe we discover other heroes with different powers - Tony is merely a human being, and intelligent one, but just a human. Up to this point he's truly believed that he needs his armour. And that's not untrue. So what's really great about this storyline is that just when Tony needs all his toys the most, he's stripped of them and forced to be enough just as he is. Much like Thor not being able to use his hammer for the majority of that film, Tony doesn't really get his powers back here until he's worthy of them. It's great storytelling. Add to that Shane Black's trademark jaded humour and you've got the kind of summer flick that most should aspire to.
It's hard to imagine and fan of this franchise didn't run out to see this opening weekend, but if not then do so - this could be the best so far - and if you're new to the Marvel universe - start from the beginning. It really is a ride worth taking.
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