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Summer movie season begins with "Iron Man 3."

Iron Man 3
Starring: Robert Downey, Jr., Don Cheadle, Ben Kingsley, Rebecca Hall, Guy Pearce, Jon Favreau, and Gwyneth Paltrow
Synopsis: Looks like the summer of 2013 has begun the same way the summer of 2012 did — with a film based on a Marvel comics property tearing up the Box Office. This time, instead of the group success of “The Avengers,” it’s back to individual stories with the third “Iron Man” film. This isn’t the first time that Robert Downey, Jr. has paired with writer/director Shane Black. The two had a ball, and created something memorable, with “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang” back in 2005. Though an “Iron Man” film with its action, special effects and big budget would seem to have little in common with “Kiss Kiss Bang Bang,” the similarity is in the tone. There is an element of humor and fun to both films that is a hallmark for Black — who also wrote “Lethal Weapon” and “The Last Boy Scout.” That tone lends itself well to the “Iron Man” films and their star, Downey, Jr. By now we know what to expect from these films. While this might be the last “Iron Man” film with Robert Downey, Jr., it’s another in a continuing group of films from Marvel that have dominated the Box Office. While this is the highest grossing “Iron Man” film, it might not be the best. That’s just a mark of how popular these films have become. What has made this franchise — and this incarnation of the character — great is the performances. Downey, Jr. is great in this role. He bring humor, great timing, grace under pressure and believability to the role. That helps ground the universe and make the films fun. This film has a great supporting cast, too. Paltrow and Cheadle are good in their roles, and Favreau — who directed the first two “Iron Man” films — brings some comic relief as well. The villains are also good. Kingsley does a good job being menacing, and is even better in one of the twists of the film. Pearce, who has played a number of villains, also hits the right notes as Killian. Black does a nice job with this film as well. The special effects and action elements of the story are more extensive than in his other films, but he brings his trademark humor and character development. It’s an element that adds depth to the film. “Iron Man 3” is a little heavier on plot development than the previous films in the franchise. It’s also got plenty of action and effects-driven sequences. It’s what you’d expect from this kind of summer movie. It’s more of a popcorn film than something serious, but it delivers what you’d expect. It’s a good film, not as good as “The Avengers,” but largely entertaining and a fitting third installment for the “Iron Man” franchise.
Rating: PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi action and violence throughout, and brief suggestive content.
Verdict: Three stars out of four.

Upcoming Releases:
Friday, May 10 — "The Great Gatsby," "Peeples"
Friday, May 17 — "Star Trek Into Darkness"
Friday, May 24 — "Fast & Furious 6," "The Hangover, Part III," "Epic"
Friday, May 31 — "After Earth," "Now You See Me," "The Purge"