More Thoughts On IM3

[redbrunja]

Some more random thoughts on IM3. (If you missed it, my first post re: this movie is here.)

Pepper’s abs looks FANTASTIC. As did her Forbes cover. (Really sad I wasn’t able to read the headline.)

I liked that Rhodney had more to do and some serious moments of badass in this movie. And I actually believed that he and Tony were friends in a way I didn’t buy that actor as Rhodes in IM2. (WARMACHINEROXX.)

I thought that they did a great job with Maya in the context of Tony/Pepper – which was, of COURSE Tony had a one-night stand with her thirteen years ago and it really wasn’t an issue for Pepper, beyond being an aggravation of an existing fight. That said, I was not thrilled about Maya’s face-turn at the end. JUST LET HER BE A MORALLY-COMPOMISED, KIND OF EVIL LADY SCIENTIST, OKAY? I promise you, there are not enough of them running around.

I know that I said it in my last post, and I’m afraid I didn’t memorize any of the dialogue, but sweet jesus did I love the Tony/Pepper relationship. I love Tony was clearly committed to Pepper, I love that they both had a sense of humor about their relationship, even when they were at their wits end (or Pepper was 1000% done and packing bags), I love that neither Maya or Killian was an actual threat or presented as a threat (*cough* Natalie Rushman *cough*) to Tony and Pepper’s relationship. I also really love that despite Killian’s makeover, and despite Pepper’s interest in Killian’s tech, CEO Potts was clear in her refusal and didn’t engage with Killian’s attempt to manipulate her.

Comments

[ericadawn16.livejournal.com]

It was something like Potts Brings Stark Up or something...it was definitely saying that she had improved the company.

I thought it was kind of interesting to have that parallel between Pepper and Killian where they were both were promised by Tony that he would meet them on the roof and he never showed up but they led to very different results. Whereas the idea that Maya was still pissed all these years later? Really? I didn't like that, just let her be incredibly ambitious and it got the best of her, just like Bruce and so many others...

I did like the realization I had today that the whole movie is Tony recounting what happened to Bruce.

[callmeonetrack.livejournal.com]

I think the headline was Pepper Potts Stirs Up Stark.

Ha ha. I just said same thing about Maya on your other post. Either keep her totally good or make her totally bad. Don't HALF ASS IT.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Either keep her totally good or make her totally bad. Don't HALF ASS IT.

Exactly. Preferably have her bad, because there are NOT NEARLY ENOUGH bad girls in fiction.

[mollivanders.livejournal.com]

Can I just say how ~pleased I was that the Captain America makeover of the Iron Man suit was a COMPLETE red herring and had nothing to do with Tony? And that Tony thought it was dumb? WARMACHINEROXX LOLOLOLOL

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

And that Tony thought it was dumb? WARMACHINEROXX LOLOLOLOL

I LOVED that they lampshaded how fucking ridiculous the Iron Patriot armor was. Because seriously, it made Steve's outfit look... slightly less ridiculous.

[lady-with-cats.livejournal.com]

...that fandom thought tony was going to make that for someone. really.

[lokifan]

Rhodey was so awesome in this :) It was another way that Tony being suit-less helped, too, Rhodey being the only main good guy with fighting skills that don't come from armour or Extremis :)

And yes, omg, Tony/Pepper FOREVER. I kept being scared that it was about to get messed up and they kept being awesome.

[redbrunja.livejournal.com]

Actually, when we first started hearing rumors about this movie, I was SO afraid Pepper was going to die.

[errant-shadows.livejournal.com]

Pepper was amazing, but is it weird that I'm almost disappointed that she was actually fighting?

There was a lot about it that worked, even if it was completely obvious that she'd survive the fall. She looked amazing, she got to kick ass and ultimately she was the one to destroy Killian. I'm a huge fan of women saving themselves and it's something that is tragically under-represented in film.

However - and this is just me being picky - but as Tony said, Pepper was perfect before all of that. She didn't need to be a fighter to be amazing and that's one of the things that always impressed me about the character. She was strong enough to handle Tony's quirks, loyal enough to put up with them, intelligent enough to keep up with him, she demonstrated grace under fire even when she was terrified and she was always classy and elegant even when she was flustered.

My issue is that she was terrific the way she was - they didn't need to add anything to that. I feel that putting her in a fight scene was their way of saying that the only way you can have a strong female character was to have her kick ass - like violence is the only way they can be strong.

Sure, it's infinitely better than making her into a damsel who has to be saved all the time, but to me it's clear that the representation of women in popular culture has eons to go before they are portrayed with any sense of equality.