Tony's extremely resourceful in this one, so when Rhodey and Pepper assist him it never does reek of "you loser." In fact, we see several times how Tony's still the best at what he does, even when others help. *I* just don't like how many times Tony's tech fails him and leaves him at the mercy of physics. And he does get chastised for his failings at other times, though.

I think that review is likely pointing out the way Tony is fooled, just as the viewer is fooled, into thinking the Mandarin is the great threat, and as a result is laid low. It's certainly one of those "you know if you go in alone you're gonna end up tied up in a lair!" situations. Really, you can feel how happy synecdochic is to learn the Mandarin is not what we think he is--it flavors her whole perception of the film.