Shane Black and Robert Downey Jr. first worked together on Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang, a detective noir action comedy that sparked the fuse box on Downey’s resurgence back into the world of film, reminded people of Black’s quirky talents and also gave Val Kilmer a life line.  This time they have a few more million(more like 200) to work with.  The director and star are teamed back together here in the second sequel to Iron Man, and the result is one of the most kickass highly enjoyable films you will see in 2013. If you go in expecting the Christopher Nolan chapter of Tony Stark, you will be very disappointed.

Comedy is also never forgotten here and is the signature blend of any Tony Stark story.  Black and RDJ keep things light and snarky, while pulling the story of our genius billionaire turned hero to another level with a credible story.  Connecting Stark’s current state of anxiety with flashbacks to 1999 and the ending of Avengers lingering in his mind(you may have some panic attacks if you nearly died saving the world from a fleet of aliens storming New York’s skyline), this movie places Stark in his comfort zone, which turns out to be discomforting self-doubt and pure introspection. (more…)