Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) is still shaken by the events in New York. He doesn’t sleep. Instead, he tinkers. He spends his time coming up with new Iron Man suits. He must protect that which he loves most. Pepper (Gwyneth Paltrow). Ironically, while trying to protect her, he is pushing her away.

We travel back to New Year’s Eve 1999. Where Tony unknowingly makes some enemies. While seducing Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall), a genetic researcher working on a way to help organisms regenerate when they have been damaged, Tony tells Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce), a less than attractive man who walks with a cane, that he is interested in Aldrich’s research and to meet him on the roof in 10 minutes. Of course, Tony never shows.

Back to present day. Aldrich show up at Stark Enterprises, now handsome and without a cane, to present his ideas to Pepper. He has worked for the past 14 years to perfect Maya’s research.

Meanwhile, a terrorist, named the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) has been broadcasting messages after each of his attacks, throwing the world into panic. When his bodyguard, Happy (Jon Favreau) is severely injured, Tony calls out the Mandarin. Tony vows revenge. The Mandarin, teaching the world a lesson, does not back down from the Iron Man’s challenge. Tony’s whole life is torn apart. Pepper goes into hiding with Maya. And their home, along with all the Iron Man suits are destroyed. Left with nothing but his latest prototype, and the help of Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Tony must find a way to stop the Mandarin and put his life back together.

Finally, we have the conclusion to the Iron Man trilogy. One of the few trilogies in which I have deeply invested myself. The first two were great films, if you are a fan of the graphic novel (comic book) genre. I am. But will this final installment live up to the standards set by its predecessors as well as The Avengers, and all the films that go along with it?

Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow don’t disappoint. This type of film suits them well. And Downey’s comedic timing is better than ever. I have to say, this is probably the funniest of the series. I know it’s an action film, but it has plenty of comedy thrown in, just to keep things light. Ty Simpkins, as a young boy who helps Tony rebuild his suit, almost steals every scene he is in.

I appreciate that the films writers don’t ignore the events in The Avengers. While never directly mentioning the élite team, they definitely incorporate what transpired during the film into Tony’s character. He is deeply troubled by what has and could potentially happen.

The action is what you expect from Iron Man. It is intense. I’m torn, however. There is a battle scene where Tony goes from one suit to another. While it is great to see what Tony can do given some free time, I almost feel that we don’t get to see the potential of each suit and its unique capabilities. I would have enjoyed a little more here, but I feel it would have taken too much to give each suit the time it deserves. Overall, it’s pretty well done.

While probably not the best of the series, it is definitely worth seeing. Aside from it being a highly entertaining film, you get the conclusion to Iron Man’s story. I’m anxious for the next Avengers film to see what they do with Tony and the crew. I would definitely recommend seeing this in the theater, giving it the proper viewing it deserves. I would say to go for the 3D, as well. But if you see it in 2D, I still think you won’t be disappointed.