Super pissed about this film.

Since the original Iron Man film, Ive waited patiently for the Mandarin to be introduced and put into a movie. THE arch-nemesis of Iron Man.

I get trailers that look insane. Ben Kingsley to play the Mandarin was brilliant casting.

Then I get to the mid-point of the film, Marvel just shoves the double bird in my face, and basicly says "**** you, we arent doing The Mandarin, but thanks for paying the price of admission, chump." "The Mandarin" in the film is just a front for some douchebag throwaway movie villain based on a character that barely had any part in the actual storyline the movie takes its material from.

We're going to give you a half-assed reimagining of the Extremis story arc, and we're going to completely shit on The Mandarin. That's what I got for my money.

I cannot believe that THE arch-nemesis of Iron Man took a back seat to a character that committed suicide in the story arc, but was somehow found to be more interesting than the ****ing Mandarin.

God Dammit. I cant believe that Favreau didnt object to this in some way. I know he wasnt directing this one, but he was still involved with it. I have no idea how anyone could think that doing this to The Mandarin was a good idea.

I think im detecting a pattern here to the love it or hate it audience.

Loved it: fans of 80s/90s action movies...basically Shane Black grafted Iron Man on top of a typical gun play action flick. Probably some old script hes had laying around since the 80s

Hated it: Comic book nerds who wanted something more faithful to the original comic book chracacters.

Blame Marvel studios heads. They are the ones who signed off on it.

Personally, im in the loved it crowd. They took a risk, and tried something that no one expected.

Marvel was heading in the right direction. The only thing that got this to the second place weekend box office gross is it was riding off of the Avengers success, and Robert Downey Jr.

Another gripe.
I understand the Avengers not being involved but you would think if terrorists were blowing shit up all over the place that SHIELD might be a little interested in that.
But I guess that would have taken screen time away from the fire breathing dragon demons.

Hahaha. The nerd rage is palpable.

Don't really care about the comic books. It was a great movie, and easily the best Iron Man movie. Never liked the first one past the origin story, and the second one had weak villains, as entertaining as it was.

Look back through this thread. That's not a flaw just with this movie, that's a flaw inherit to all Comic book heros that are part of established larger universe.

They did their best to try and isolate Stark and threw a line in there from Cheadle about "terrorists, not being superhero business".



But yea, it is what it is and sometimes you just have to roll with it.

I'm right there with you. I fully acknowledge there are problems. But the fact is that I am/became emotionally invested in the characters and was entertained. Mission accomplished.

But I empathize with the people that hated it. There are a lot o movies that I can't suspend my disbelief because of my experiences. I'm sure this is the same way.

And IMO the movies, avengers in particular is worth it.

Well I work really hard (as we all do!!!) and can appreciate some simple down time. I saw it Sunday at "before 4:00" prices and I was entertained... It was worth the price for sure. And taking away the worries and letting we kill the cell for a few hours was worth even more! Like!!

SHIELD is not an organization of super heroes.
EDIT: Im also all for keeping characters story lines separate and isolated but if youre going to kidnap the president of the United States youre gonna have to expect people to wonder why no one else seems to give a shit.

I also would like to acknowledge the fact that if you were not going into this movie with fanboy expectations it was entertaining and a well made movie.
I was still pissed when I threw out the Transformers comparison as that is not accurate at all.
That doesnt mean Im backing off my feelings about where this movie went.

What I can admit is that they probably could have made a BETTER movie with a full-fledged rendition of The Mandarin.

I'm not sure why they didn't try to do that. Maybe too ambitious.

I've decided it's a not-very-good film, but was still enjoyable. Just too many flaws.

1.) The stupid kid in the middle act. No purpose whatsoever.

2.) "The Mandarin", and taking a giant shit on the fanboys and the canon.

3.) Too much Tony Stark out of the suit.

4.) Sucky end action-scene too reminiscent of "Iron Man 2". Empty suits controlled by a computer? Really?

5.) "Iron Patriot". Another shit on the fanboys.

What saved it:

1.) Robert Downey Jr.

2.) See #1.

The kid was awesome. Shut up. Be entertained.

Wow....lots of butthurt in the tread.... Let it go man!!!

Pretty much where I'm at.

I love the idea of him still being a man. That the events of Avengers ****ed with his head. Very good idea and Jr. did a good job pulling it off.

The BS with the villain $3it was horribly stupid...