Fortune cookies are hollow
IRON MAN 3
Director Shane Black
Cert. 12A
Running time: 130 minutes
Iron Man 3 is a very entertaining blockbuster. It's also an excellent commentary on how idols ultimately don't work.
Screenwriters Shane Black’s and Drew Pearce's previous works both contain some elements that are decidedly non-Christian, so the insight they bring to Iron Man 3 is a great example of common grace.
With Tony Stark unable to sleep following the events of last year's The Avengers, which also, on analysis, yields some surprisingly Christian themes, Iron Man 3 explores Tony Stark's relationship with his (super)heroic identity of Iron Man.
At one point, Tony Stark is seen dragging his broken-down suit through the snow. Instead of being his servant, it's now become his master, and is thus a burden to carry.
There's a line in the film that says that fortune cookies are ‘hollow, full of lies, and leave a bad taste in the mouth’. This is used as a metaphor for idols throughout the film.
Too dependent
Other characters also illustrate, in various ways, the theme of depending on something too much and then having it let them down in the end, showing how this is something common to us all.
Of course, the answer is found in Psalm 25.15, ‘My eyes are ever on the LORD, for only he will release my feet from the snare’.
There's plenty to discuss and analyse about the film, which is as challenging as it is entertaining; perhaps more so. In one sense, none of us are qualified to address it; there's a big difference between understanding something intellectually and living it out in practice. We're all sinners, and as Christians, our sanctification is still stuck in the 'now but not yet' of Romans 7.
But that's the point of grace: if we repent and believe, Jesus forgives all our sins. So instead of trying to fight idolatry (or any sin) in simply human terms – which would be idolatry in itself - ‘Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of God’ Hebrews 11.22.
In addition to the typical action violence, the film features some of Shane Black's signature dark humour, though it's toned down to some extent for mainstream audiences.
Overall, Iron Man 3 offers plenty of action, wit, and emotion. It makes effective if not totally consistent use of 3D, and there's an amusing scene at the end of the credits. There’s also a lot to discuss and chew over afterwards, making for great talking points with non-Christian friends.
