First off, I just want to say that I was one of the select few who enjoyed IRON MAN 3. However, I do understand why some of my fellow CBM fans did not like the film. The CBM community has been divided on this movie since it first hit theatres. Some, like myself, enjoyed the movie and probably saw it more than once. Others hated it and wanted nothing to do with the movie ever again. That being said, how has IRON MAN 3 managed to make into the top five highest grossing movies of all time? The answer is simple really and here it is... CBM fans are not the only movie goers in the world. I know, that's a huge shock, but it's true. Let's analyse a few of the the main issues that many had with IRON MAN 3 and discuss the effect on (A)CBM fans and (B)the average movie goer.
1. There was too much humour... it was simply too funny.
(A) CBM Fans: Is too there such a thing as too funny? Apparently, Shane Black found a way to make a CBM too funny, as this was a big complaint from the CBM community. We all love Tony's witty quips and a little physical humour goes a long way. However, for CBM fans, it seems that the comedy was a little (for some it was 'a lot') over done.
(B) Average Movie Goer: Everybody loves comedy and there was plenty of it in IRON MAN 3. For the average movie goer, the comedy in this movie would been simply entertaining. For the average movie goer, there is no such thing as too funny.
2. Too much Tony, not enough Iron Man. (A) CBM Fans: I have heard this one from a few of my local friends, but haven't heard much about it here on CBM. So, I'm not sure if this has been a hot topic on this site, but I know a few of my friends who were pretty ticked about how little of Iron Man there actually was in the film. CBM want Iron Man action and, for some, there just wasn't enough in the third instalment. Personally, I loved the fact that this movie was more about Tony and his personal struggles.
(B) Average Movie Goer: Only a CBM fan would've been upset with this issue. The average movie goer wouldn't been upset as long there was a purpose/reason to Tony not using his armour. The reason was fairly obvious, he had no access to his hall of armour and the one suit he did have access was busted. Besides, it was fun to see what Tony could do without the suit.
3. The Mandarin Twist. (A) CBM fans: This was the big one for a lot of people in the CBM community. This was the twist that rocked the CBM nation and, for many, it was the one thing they couldn't let go. The fact that The Mandarin was simply some patsy paid to act like a terrorist was too great of a change from the comic mythology for many to accept. This one issue alone pushed most over the edge from 'I don't really care for this film' to 'I HATE THIS F#*KING MOVIE!'
(B) Average Movie Goer: The average movie goer loves to be surprised. While this plot point may have pushed many CBM fans over the edge, everybody else loved it. The twist was such a HUGE shock and took everybody in the theatre by surprise. Only a CBM fan would have really been effected by this twist.
The conclusion from this is that IRON MAN 3 may not have been widely accepted as a good CBM, but it has been accepted as a great movie in general. While some CBM fans may have decided to block out the memory of this movie, the average movie goer has embraced it and launched into the top five highest grossing movies of all time. Marvel has successful bridged the gap between CBMs and the average movie audience. That's the reason for IRON MAN 3's success.
Thanks for reading!
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