Iron Mania Returns!

And, I'm back to my blogging ways. Back after a gap of what? 10 months, maybe? Can't blame anybody but me. Anyway, let's get down to business. I came back after watching Iron Man 3. The movie had already been spoiled by Shaumik. (He's a total jerk! He even spoiled TDKR for me the last year!)

Shaumik expressed his opinion over the movie, invited my comments, forced me into reading his blogpost full of spoilers, yet I found the movie a good one! In fact, one of the better SUPERHERO movies you are likely to see. (Okay maybe not as awesome as the Nolan Trilogy)

THE PLOT

The movie begins with a flashback narrative by Tony Stark, some 13 years ago. It's New Year's eve '99. Our timeless playboy Anthony Stark is in his Let's-party-Let's-get-laid mood. Accompanying him is his trusted bodyguard Happy Hogan (Random Trivia: In the comics, Pepper Potts and Hogan were romantically involved even married until the latter's death, that is) and his biologist friend Maya Hansen. While, Stark, Hansen and Hogan get into an elevator, in comes our Creepy-mad-scientist-next-door Aldrich Killian. (Who is well hopelessly nerdy in his looks) There he offers Stark and Hansen a job to join his new venture: The Advanced Idea Mechanics aka A.I.M. Stark tells him to wait for him on the roof and never shows up, this kinda ticks the nerd off and in a way constructs the major plot of the movie. Then, Maya and Stark discuss about her work, "Extremis" which is a tech doohickey which can be used to reprogram a living being enhancing their physique and even developing super powers.

Cut to the present, the Malibu residence of our protagonist who's working on his armors bullying his robotic instruments and exchanging witty banter with his Butler like A.I., J.A.R.V.I.S. Next, we move to Stark Industries, where Pepper Potts is expected to meet her ex-boyfriend (no cookies for guessing) Killian, who has mysteriously lost his buck teeth, nerdy glasses, crutch and the old nerdy ways. They discuss EXTREMIS and Pepper refuses any business collaboration. Hogan is doubtful about Killian, recognizing him to be the same nerd who showed up 12 years ago, he decides to tail his associate, which does not end very well. He ends up at the Chinese theatre at the time of a Suicide Bombing and subsequently is hospitalised. Meanwhile, Stark has been having panic attacks owing to his exploits during the Chitauri invasion at New York, and this has actually resulted in a strained relationship with Pepper, who has agreed to move in with him after the events of The Avengers. 

Between, all this there have been Suicide Bombings across whole of the world, with a terrorist leader named the Mandarin taking the responsibility. With Happy in a coma owing to a similar blast, Stark issues a threat to the Mandarin on national television, and well... Mandarin issues a preemptive strike, and some Ka-Pow, Boom and Bang later, Stark finds himself in the middle of nowhere, with his suit offline and him presumed dead. And, from there on he goes on to connect the dots with the help of a new found sidekick, a kid with a rockety mouth. There a few twists and turns, which ultimately leads to a spectacular climax, with 3 and a half dozens of Iron Man armors all operating simultaneously! 'nuff said! 

TIES TO THE COMICS

The storyline is loosely based on the "EXTREMIS" story arc

The storyline is loosely based on the "EXTREMIS" story arc. Then, there is the Iron Patriot! Iron Patriot is the War Machine armor painted "All American" commissioned by the POTUS to counter Mandarin. In the MCU, (Marvel Comics Universe) however Iron Patriot was the armor used by Norman Osbourne (yes the Green Goblin!) while he was in charge of the Homeland Security after the events of the Skrull Invasion. So, basically he was a villain. 

Norman Osbourne as the Iron Patriot. I hate him!

The movie also served as the official introduction to the Super Crime Cartel the A.I.M. into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which might have an implication in the Avengers sequel maybe? 

THE VERDICT

I wanted to watch a badass Mandarin!
*sigh*

Kudos to Shane Black, the movie is simply the best out of the 3 Iron Man movies. Downey Jr., is again a class act. You cannot distinguish if he's playing Tony Stark or if he's being himself. Being a comic book enthusiast I know one thing for sure that he has actually redefined one of the most dull comic characters of all times (Tony Stark, NOT Iron Man!) and transformed him into something awe inspiring! Guy Pearce sure did look nasty! But, it was Downey Jr. all the way. I somewhat missed Agent Coulson here. I hear that Clark Gregg is all set to reprise his role as the S.H.I.E.L.D. top agent Coulson in the ABC TV series, featuring the agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

However, I am thoroughly disappointed with the portrayal of the Mandarin, I expected a lot more! In fact, I even had sought a connection between the Terrorist group "The 10 Rings" (which is quite obvious, or was supposed to be) from the first part and the Mandarin, which only seemed logical, but sadly there wasn't one.

All in all, I went to watch Tony Stark, and he did not fail to deliver. 

The Avengers Initiative

Now that "Avengers", has smashed all the previous records at the box-office collections, they (Disney. Yes Disney owns Marvel) have confirmed the production of a sequel. Now, this blog concentrates, rather touches on those points which might have actually confused the viewers (or irritated the author).

So, I have compiled a list of such occurrences in the entire Avengers movie franchise:

• TESSERACT CUBE: 





Red Skull holding the Cosmic Cube

The Tesseract Cube was first seen in the post-credits scene of Thor. When Dr. Eric Selvig is requested by Director Fury to take a look, also in the room was Loki invisible to the other two. Next, we see the cube in Captain America: The First Avenger, where the Red Skull and Arnim Zola study the cube to manufacture energy weapons. The cube apparently kills the Red Skull (although I say, transports him into some other dimension) and then it drowns into the Arctic Ocean along with the Captain and the monstrous airship he was piloting. However, the cube was recovered by Howard Stark, tracking it from the unique gamma ray signature emitted by it. Sadly, Captain America wasn't that lucky.
Now, for the question as to what is the cube? The cube, is an Asgardian artifact, which is an unlimited source of energy, it can also be used to open inter-dimensional gates.
My guess, is this Teserac thingy is the movie equivalent of a Cosmic Cube with reality altering powers as shown in the Marvel comics itself.




Thanos: The Mad titan. Does that ridged purple jaw seem familiar?
Only, if you waited till the post-credits scene!!



• WHATEVER HAPPENED TO LOKI:
Towards the end of Thor, after the destruction of the Bifrost Bridge, Loki was seemingly lost in the endless space, but he somehow managed to survive. He ended up in yet another dimension inhabited by the Chitauri, and their mysterious leader (whom I believe, is the mad titan: THANOS).
Although, an accomplice of Thanos mostly appears in the AVENGERS movie, acting as the spokesperson and the negotiator both on behalf of Thanos. This, unnamed accomplice I feel is the Red Skull, going by the reddish teeth (the only facial features visible) it may well be Cap's long lost arch enemy!!



• STEVE ROGERS: CAPTAIN OR CADET AMERICA? 


Throughout the 2 movies, Chris Evans has been highly disappointing in Captain America's role. No glimpses of leadership, his part resembles more like that of Toby Maguire from Spider Man-2. Lack of confidence, Self-Doubt and boy he is confused like hell!! Or, maybe Robert Downey Jr.'s antics and/or the Hulk's smashing over-shadowed our very own "First-Avenger". I liked Evans better as the Human Torch in the Fantastic Four franchise, but I actually hate him now, for his SUPER-AWFUL portrayal of Cap. *sigh*



MARVEL UNIVERSE (DIS)CONTINUITY:
Now, for those who are familiar with the "normal" Marvel universe, the storyline of The Avengers and the related movies is well, a bit awkward. They didn't have a Cheer-leader dressed in the American flag for Captain America. Or, the Avengers working as government operatives. This, movie franchise is loosely based on the "Ultimate" Universe and all these characters are a part of the Ultimates or the Avengers of their respective universe.



WHY CAN'T WE HAVE WOLVERINE AND SPIDEY IN THE HOTSHOT SPANDEX CLUB?
Well, the answer is pretty obvious. Although, both Wolverine and Spidey are actually on the Avengers roster in the comics, but the rights to feature them in movies are held by movie studios other than Paramount,  so No SPIDEY, No WOLVY for the Avengers!!



SPECULATIONS FOR THE SEQUEL:

1. It is most likely that The Avengers would face Thanos in the sequel hence there is a high possibility that Ms. Marvel (and, you know what, SHE'S SMOKING HOT!!!) lands a place in the Earth's Mightiest Team of heroes, owing to her Cosmic Powers!  Moreover, Carol Denvers a.k.a. Ms. Marvel is a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent, and we don't seem to have any female member other than the Black Widow on the team!
2. There was a mention of "Vibranium" and "Wakanda" in Iron Man 2, a clear indication that we may soon hear from the Wakandan monarch T'Challa better known as the "Black Panther" (Marvel's answer to DC's Batman).
3. Return of the Red Skull, is yet another highly probable prospect, hopefully Red Skull'll inspire Evans to enact a better self-confident Cap.

Finally, a note to those readers who imagine an impossible team-up of the "Goddamn" Batman with the Avengers!!

PLEASE DIE!!!!