Marvel Cinematic Universe: Ranking all 18 movies after Black Panther

Credit: Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Pictures; poster for Iron Man 3 (2013)

12. Iron Man 3 (2013)

Of all the Iron Man films, this was the one which proved most divisive with fans. Virtually all the criticism leveled against the movie centers around the twist with The Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), or how Tony’s false retirement as Iron Man at the end. These are valid criticisms, to be sure. Yet there’s also a strong case that Iron Man 3 is also one of the better entries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and certainly better than Iron Man 2.

For starters it’s a logical continuation of Tony’s story from The Avengers, as he shows clear signs of post-traumatic stress. Directed Shane Black, the writer of Lethal Weapon (1987), it’s also the most action intensive of the Iron Man films, with the Mark XLII providing for some highly inventive fights sequences. It also shows just how resourceful Tony Stark really is, particularly when he makes his homemade weapons after shopping at Home Depot. Plus, for all the controversy surrounding the Mandarin twist, it’s still brilliantly executed.

Some might also find themselves annoyed when the film detours into a subplot involving Stark befriending a ten-year old prodigy (Ty Simpkins). Rhodey (Don Cheadle) being re-branding as Iron Patriot is both unnecessary fan-service and, in the context of the film, very on the nose. Moreover, it’s pretty obvious Guy Pierce’s Aldrich Killian is the real villain, considering how movie’s prologue devotes itself to why he feels slighted by Stark.

Yet it’s because of what this film did to Iron Man’s greatest adversary is why some fans tend to dismiss Iron Man 3. They shouldn’t. While it’s not the same caliber as the first Iron Man, it’s far better than the second, and thus deserves greater appreciation.