"Iron Man 3"

After the rather disappointing second film in the series, how has this second sequel faired?

Thankfully I can say that it is considerably better.
The World is need of Mr. Stark's metal creation once again, even though he is still recovering from the aftermath and effects of the attack on New York in "Avengers Assemble". There is a global terrorist at large called 'The Mandarin', wreaking havoc and spreading his words of vengeance via messages across television networks, and leaving a path of destruction in his wake.
Over at Stark Industries Ms. Potts has settled into her new role, and is a fine figure head for the Company. The Organisation receive an offer from a former acquaintance, Aldrich Killian, who is on the verge of a major breakthrough regarding redesigning human DNA especially when body parts are hurt / injured. It can basically reheal itself in seconds through this new process. At the moment there is a slight hitch, in that the body can get really hot at times, like a mini volcano, and some of the subjects have been known to explode, and causing quite a lot of damage along the way.
Killian seeks the help from the Stark Company to further his research, but they decline.
This is the second time that Killian has been left standing in the breeze by Stark, and is understandably pissed off. He seeks to get his own back on the cocky playboy with the cool toys.

The Mandarin looks to take aim at the biggest target of all, the President of the United States. There is an attack on Air Force One, and POTUS is taken hostage. Stark is attacked at his beachside property, and is left for dead, with his home and gadgets in ruins.
It all builds to the huge climax, which has a few surprises and no mistake.
As has become the staple diet of these movies, there are plenty of action sequences, involving some truly jaw dropping visual effects. It is when you see films like this, that we all know have far we have come. One of the highlights of the film has to be the 'barrel of monkeys' sequence.

As ever Downey Jr excels as the loudmouth cock sure Stark, Pearce is ok as scientist Killian, but for me Ben Kingsley steals the show as 'The Mandarin'. A great performance that I am sure everyone will be talking about.

There is a certain something missing from the film, and I can't quite put my finger on it, which is probably why I still rate the original as my favourite, but don't get me wrong, this is a highly enjoyable film, which is a flyaway smash hit......8 out of 10. 

"The Avengers Assemble"

After a plethora of films are featuring a variety of Marvel comic characters, now we have the Daddy of them all....the World becomes threatened by a force so evil, that one Super Hero will be insufficient against the power of what is to come.
S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury gets his mobile out and calls up all the greatest Super heroes to do battle against Loki (rather pissed off God from "Thor") and his Army. One or two of them are a little reluctant to participate, but with a little gentle persuasuion, they soon form their merry band.

The film is split into two halves, the first being the recruitment of the super-heroes and the attacks by Loki, and second being the fight back by the Marvel Army.
As one would expect from this film there are plenty of action scenes and many explosions, the story pretty much takes second fiddle to the visual effects and the action scenes. The story merely serves the purpose of having an excuse to bring the Marvel Characters together. So don't go expecting some Oscar Winning literary masterpiece with the writing.

With a running time of almost two and a half hours, the film does an admirable job of keeping you entertained. It has to be said that after such a great 3D conversion with "Titanic" that I felt that the 3D effect on this film was disappointing.
The film is a little light on good laughs, but there are two really great laugh out loud moments, and are almost worth the price of admission alone.
As said, the film is about seeing these great characters come together, after we have seen their individual stories. It is also about the visual effects which are some of the best on screen. For such a high level of effects, I am amazed that it cost only $220 million.

A good movie, not outstanding, but still highly enjoyable, some of the Marvel stand alone films fair better......7 out of 10

" Sherlock Holmes A Game of Shadows"

It may baffle some as to why one has seen this sequel given the loathing I had for the first film. I can sum it up in four words......curiosity and Stephen Fry.

So Mr. Downey Jr can thank the increase in box office takings to the host of "Q.I". Mr. Fry is indeed in the movie playing the at times clotheless Mycroft, brother to Sherlock.
In the film the dynamic duo must face up to their greatest nemesis, Professor Moriarty, as he seeks to bring an end to the civilised world.
At times the film is visually stunning, there is a sequence when Holmes and party are effecting their escape in a forest, and some rather large cannons are used to bring their escape to an end, it is a very effective sequence, a highpoint of the film.

The chemistry between Downey Jr. and Law is undeniable, and a real strength of the film. But like the first film, the characters of Holmes and Watson are so different to any pair previosuly seen, though thankfully not as oddball as they were in that first film.

But the saving grace of the film is Jared Harris as Prof. Moriarty. He is very chilling, bringing real fear to the role, and there are times, when if you close your eyes, you can hear his father speak.

Elementary that it is an improvement......6 out of 10