TDKR vs Iron Man 3: Which is the best SH threequel?

[TheDreamMaster]

I haven't seen IM3 yet, but I'm probably giving it to IM3. I love the Nolan trilogy, but when I first saw TDKR, I was so hyped I gave it a 9/10. After 3 or 4 rewatches, Its about a 6/10. It just doesn't hold as well as the other Bat films. I'll edit this once I see IM3.

 

[Bim]

For me, hands down Iron Man 3.

 

[747]

Iron Man 3 is damn good, but The Dark Knight Rises is near fantastic.

 

[kvz5]

TDKR is easily the weakest of the TDK trilogy for me but I still prefer it over IM3.

 

[jacobed]

Tdkr easily. Im3 was a pathetic attempt at being bigger and more clever than it actually was. The only redeeming about it was RDJ finally gets to act in these movies and the action was decent though I hate the type of violence Tony is fine with inflicting. TDKR is about a 8/10 while Im3 was lucky to get a 6/10

 

[Quasimod0]

IM3 easily. Enjoyed it much more than tdkr, even though tdkr is my favorite of the trilogy

 

[Piper Maru]

Spider-Man 3 by far.

 

[Destructus86]

I voted IM3...TDKR was a massive let down for me

 

[Monsieur Xavier]

Spider-Man 3 by far.

You forgot the tongue in the cheek emoticon.

 

[flickchick85]

Ugh, I'm torn because I really did love both. TDKR was certainly more of an epic experience, but...I think IM3 will have a lot more re-watchability for me, so I think I'm gonna have to give the edge to IM3.

 

[Bruce Malone]

Shouldn't this be in misc. comic films?

 

[DarkSovereignty]

You mean the elephant graveyard of the general movies sections?

 

[Bruce Malone]

You mean the elephant graveyard of the general movies sections?

There are about 4 active threads in there right now with similar questions to this one. Not really dead at all.

 

[DACrowe]

This thread already exists? Sheesh.

I imagine Iron Man 3 will win this poll this weekend/month because it is new and shiny, but TDKR by a mile and a half.

Iron Man 3 is actually the only superhero threequel to not be the worst in its trilogy/series up to that point, but only because Iron Man 2 was so mediocre.

Iron Man 3 is a very fun and entertaining piece of popcorn that even subverts the Nolan style of storytelling to a degree. But TDKR just is a much more exhilarating movie with better moments like the Bane sewer fight, any scene with Catwoman/Selina Kyle, or the ending.

Bruce Wayne's closing arc feels much more organic and earned than the slapped on resolution to Tony's story from IM1 and it features a far better villain. Because while I will not give away (at least without brackets) the twist in IM3, let's just say The Mandarin has nothing on Bane.

And a few spoiler points:

Spoiler

Anyone who criticized TDKR about plot holes better take a good, long look at the second half of IM3. Why did they kidnap Tony Stark and keep him alive? If they needed him to help with Rebecca Hall's research why kill her off and leave him alone? Also, why leave Rhodes untied and/or alive after taking the armor, thereby ensuring he will run amok on the compound? And lastly WHY DIDN'T STARK AND RHODES CALL IN FOR ANY BACK-UP TO WHERE THE PRESIDENT WAS KIDNAPPED?! I get the VP was in on it, but after the Air Force One fiasco Rhodes decided not to call the Air Force, the marines, the Feds, the local sheriff department?! No one?!

With that said IM3 is a great entertainment that should not be picked apart like that. It is about giving audiences a thrill ride and I had a blast with it. Just doing to IM3 what Marvel-ites did to TDKR for a moment.

P.S. Is Pepper killing "the Mandarin" better or worse than Catwoman killing Bane?

I enjoy both, but for me IM3 is a fun 8/10. TDKR is an unforgettable 9/10.

My thoughts.

 

[Fenrir]

Iron Man is the best superhero origin movie to date (BB and Superman a very, very close second). TDK still remains the crown jewel of the genre. TDKR was sloppy in many ways, but you had to admire its ambition and the general overall quality of filmmaking despite the occasionally weak script. Iron Man 3 is certainly a competent film, and is a respectable outing for the character, but when the dust settles, time will be more favourable to TDKR than it will be to Iron Man 3, and you can take that to the bank.

Here's hoping Man of Steel knocks it out of the park. Superman's origin story is by far the most grandiose and involving out of all the superheroes', and provided it is as good as people are expecting it to be, it may very well take the first Iron Man's spot in the comic book movie hall of fame.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

At the moment I would have to give it to TDKR, but I have seen that about 5 times and IM3 only once, so that may change when I see IM3 a few times. I think with time though, I will still prefer TDKR simply because it has grander themes and deeper emotions.

 

[TheDreamMaster]

For sure now, IM3. Funny though, one thing I noticed was, in different ways of course, both have a

Spoiler

clean slate as a plot device at some point

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

I'll come right out and say these are the only third acts I think are worth a damn. But it is almost as if they are cursed. Both of them have huge issues.

 

[pr0xyt0xin]

Spoiler

P.S. Is Pepper killing "the Mandarin" better or worse than Catwoman killing Bane?

Spoiler

Better I say. Just because Batman is known for obsessively keeping his villains alive. And Killian is known for, well... being dead. BUt I choose to believe that neither Bane nor The Mandarin is dead. ;D

 

[LeoGal83]

"I liked TDKR more than TDK" (2).

So...

 

[DACrowe]

Spoiler

Better I say. Just because Batman is known for obsessively keeping his villains alive. And Killian is known for, well... being dead. BUt I choose to believe that neither Bane nor The Mandarin is dead. ;D

Well, hope springs eternal and all that.

 

[A Necessary Evil]

I love TDKR, but I don't think IM3 is as nearly flawed as TDKR. So, Iron Man 3.

 

[TheIrishAvenger]

They're both B+ films for me.

BUT despite Iron Man 3's few too many characters (at times) and it's clean cut ending, it doesn't get me as frustrated as some of TDKR's issues.

I think I like IM3 a tiny bit more in the end. It's a tighter, better organized film and more focused film than TDKR.

 

[Octoberist]

I think they're both on par. Both movies are entertaining and have great individual scenes but they both don't the right notes for some reason. At least for me.

But as much as I love Nolan I think Iron Man 3 is slightly better than TDKR. It's a little more focused.

 

[redfirebird2008]

Iron Man 3 is certainly a competent film, and is a respectable outing for the character, but when the dust settles, time will be more favourable to TDKR than it will be to Iron Man 3, and you can take that to the bank.

Completely agree. Newer is not always better.