The Dark World

The funny thing about the Mandarin twist was that the trailers really sold him as a great villain. I actually didn't care at all about him being in the series one way or another as I actually had major doubts that he could ever work on screen... But then Marvel really sold us Ben Kingsley as a really threatening, well acted villain. I never would've been upset with the twist in the first place had they not advertised him that way. I mean, the trailers literally had half a dozen Kingsley lines that weren't in the movie.

It was like "Hey, want a piece of cake?" "No thanks, I don't really like cake." "It's made with real cocoa and organic butter. Best frosting ever!" "Actually, that sounds great. Gimme!" "Sorry! There is no cake. Only pie."

And I don't dislike pie. Just don't get hyped on cake before offering it. 

On a second watch through I was able to accept the twist just fine. What still bothers me about it is how removed Tony is from the story. Instead being a proactive protagonist he's out in Alabama hanging out with some random kid.