MARVEL Studios has had a lot of success on the big screen lately and the company's latest superhero adventure is sure to continue the trend.

In Iron Man 3, Robert Downey Jr returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man, now crippled by panic attacks following the events of The Avengers.

When an attack by the terrorist known as The Mandarin seriously injures his friend Happy Hogan (Jon Favreau), Tony vows revenge - leading to the enemy's forces attacking him personally.

Left alone and on the run, Tony must find out if he has what it takes to be a hero without his high-tech suit of armour.

With the series' original director Jon Favreau stepping down, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang director Shane Black is now the man in charge - and he immediately gives the film a different tone to its predecessors.

Black keeps things fresh by introducing a slew of new - mostly villainous - characters including the Mandarin (Ben Kingsley), enforcer Eric Savin (James Badge Dale) and scientists Aldrich Killian (Guy Pearce) and Maya Hansen (Rebecca Hall).

Fortunately the film still has the series' biggest drawcard - leading man Robert Downey Jr, perfectly cast as sarcastic, reformed womaniser and billionaire inventor Tony Stark.

Also returning is Gwyneth Paltrow as Tony's long-suffering girlfriend Pepper Potts, and Don Cheadle as Iron Man's ally James Rhodes/Iron Patriot.

While Iron Man 3 features some impressive special effects, it's the dialogue that really shines, with Downey delivering some cracking one-liners.

The film even introduces that most horrifying of Hollywood archetypes - a cute kid - and manages to make it work.

If the series can continue with this level of quality there's no reason Iron Man shouldn't return for many more adventures in the future.

IRON MAN 3

Rating: M

Starring: Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Kingsley, Guy Pearce

Reviewer: Matthew Pearce

Verdict: 3.5 stars