It hit the $1 billion (I know!!) mark this week and reignited our shameless love for superheroes. Released almost exactly one year after the marvel that was The Avengers (see what I did?), Robert Downey Jr made a spectacular return to the silver screen in what is supposedly Iron Man's last solo film. Avengers 2 out next year, Spiderman 2 being filmed, a Superman reboot, Captain America 2, Thor 2...we really do like our men in lycra don't we!? Luckily, Iron Man is a man of metal and he's back for what I really think is the best in the trilogy by far. 

Is it a good film? Yes. Does it live up to the standards set by it's predecessors? Yes, and raises it by one giant iron bar. Former Playboy Billionaire Man is now in a committed relationship with sassy Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and just when you think things are smooth and plain sailing, The Villain comes along. Yep, in every film regardless of genre you're going to get your Hero and Villain. This one's particularly interesting though. Disaster is being struck by bombings with no forensic evidence left at the scene, and The Mandarin is to blame, played by the fantastically versatile Sir Ben Kingsley. At the same time, poor Tony Stark hasn't fully recovered from his ordeal (remember the falling from the sky?) in New York. In fact, the very words "New" and "York" are potentially more dangerous than the villain! I exaggerate. 

The cast is superb, and I simply cannot imagine Iron Man/Stark being played by any other actor. Downey Jr slips in and out of the suit seamlessly, and not just in the metaphorical compliment sense. Funny, cocky, and insanely clever. Gwyneth Paltrow takes centre stage and even gets to wear the suit - Iron (wo)Man...she's not just the pretty love interest. Jon Favreau, who directed the other two films and plays butch security man aka Pete From Friends aka Ultimate Fighting Champion, provides some light humour as a universally likeable character. Not to mention returning Don Cheadle as Rhodey, the other guy in the other iron suit. His is slightly more decorated though... The new cast members, notably Rebecca Hall and Guy Pearce are extremely significant and bring about a sci-fi edge with potential dangers and an important back-story. And also, a very cute kid who is undoubtedly the best sidekick in the world. Speaking of stories, the whole plot is genius. There's a twist (did you hear about the twist?) and a story that takes you up in the air and all the way back down in a weird but effective human paper chain. You'll see. The villain and his own sidekicks are kinda indestructible which makes it all the more interesting to see how Iron Man & co. deal with it. Interesting and clever.

Visual effects are superb and no less; Iron Man, aided by JARVIS (more than just a cool voice) is getting technologically better and more advanced, and it's interesting to see a lot of screen time of Tony Stark minus metal suit. Aided by scientific advances, and not giving too much away, the bad guys use a lot of CGI to make them so...bad(ass). 

So yes, it is another superhero film. Yes, there is a threat to destroy the world. Yes, it's up to the hero to save the day. But it's SO much better than three yes's. You'll laugh, cry maybe, and be treated to a two-hour-and-a-bit extravaganza reminding you why, for most people, Iron Man is the most popular Avenger. You'll have to do more than take my word for it; go to the cinema and see for yourself.