"IRON MAN 2" MOVIE REVIEW
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Iron Man became an overnight film sensation when it opened on May 2nd, 2008. Two years later, the sequel aims to fly higher than the original, but it doesnt have the same emotional weight as the first one.
Robert Downey Jr., on the other hand, is bigger and better than ever as billionaire turned super hero, Tony Stark. We all know Downey Jr. is the man, and hes in full visceral force in the sequel. Only this time, not only is he battling personal demons, Stark discovers the palladium in the arc reactor of his Iron Man suit is poisoning him.
Daddy issues are at the center of Iron Man 2. Stark re-launches his late fathers extravagant Stark Expo to showcase its humanitarian innovations. Meanwhile, his nemesis, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), sets out to destroy Stark because of the sins of his father.
Rourke plays an effective villain and its mostly due to the megalomaniac nature of his character. In one of the films best action sequences, Vanko, in full regalia as the character Whiplash, terrorizes Stark at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Stark transforms into Iron Man via a suitcase handed to him by Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). The result is a really cool transformation scene that will have you clapping in awe.
The other girl in Starks life is played by Scarlett Johansson. Shes the mysterious and sexy Natalie Rushman who becomes Starks assistant when he promotes Potts to CEO of Stark Industries.
Director Jon Favreau gives himself more screen time with the sequel. His character, Happy Hogan, Tonys driver and bodyguard, is in most of the scenes in the first half of the film. One can argue that Favreau was busy acting than directing which makes the sequel far less thrilling than the original.
Also making a bigger comeback in the sequel is Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. Hes not just a mere footnote in the film, his character provides some necessary exposition. As many Marvel Comics fans know, Fury is the leading agent of the espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. and will play a major part in the upcoming film Ultimate Avengers, where all Marvel characters are gathered together much like D.C. Comics Justice League.
Iron Man 2 pays homage to Captain America and Thor, that it feels like the sequel is a 2-hour infomercial for future Marvel films. Hint, stay through the closing credits and you will catch a glimpse of Mjolnir, the powerful hammer of mighty Thor.
As expected, Iron Man 2s technical aspects are solid. The special effects are larger in scope, aided by the beautiful cinematography by Matthew Libatique. What Im most concerned about is the clunky script by Justin Theroux. He may have had us laughing with Tropic Thunder, but the plot mechanisms he used in Iron Man 2 are grating at times.
In the acting department, Don Cheadle successfully replaces Terrence Howard as Lt. Col. James Rhodey Rhodes. Sam Rockwell also steals some scenes as the fast-talking Justin Hammer, whose company, Hammer Industries, wants to be a major player in the weapons manufacturing game.
But Iron Man 2 is Downey Jr.s film, and he carries it through from the beginning to the end. Just like the first film, the movie mirrors the actors persona from downfall to career highs.
The secret to enjoying the actors portrayal is knowing that Iron Man is much more interesting without the suit and Downey Jr. gave his all as Tony Stark. The sequel may be a big-budget Hollywood excess, but the actor kept it all grounded. And thats enough to recommend the movie. Plus point for Paramounts decision not to release Iron Man 2 in 3D.
RATING:
Iron Man 2 gets 3 clanging kisses