The immense success of The Avengers (and the fact that Iron Man was the most charismatic hero in the group) will certainly help goose the opening weekend numbers for Iron Man 3.
That raises questions about whether "Oblivion" will hold well in the domestic marketplace, particularly with the highly anticipated "Iron Man 3" opening in just two weeks.
The opening sequence, showing Mardi Gras revels in New Orleans through the frenzied chiaroscuro of streamers and wrought iron, evokes psyches already ratcheted to fever pitch.
You hear the creak of caskets opening, the tap of tiny feet as cherubs dance excitedly, and the clanking of cast-iron doors as angels go about their business on narrow lanes lined with weeping widows.
Involved in one of two matches unable to finish on the opening day because of a torrential downpour flooding the La Costa course, Montgomerie resumed by hitting a glorious seven-iron to four feet and made the birdie putt.