Although the first film, despite it's quality, didn't surprise much in terms of content, the denouement did so, by letting main character Tony Stark make a public statement the few second for the end credits, that he was the man behind the iron mask. This opened the door to the sequel and it became immediately clear that Iron Man is not a superhero like Batman or Spider-Man (who take their task as a heavy burden and always try to keep their identity hidden), but someone who has peace with his unusual life and simply regards his heroic deeds as an eccentric hobby. In Iron Man 2, that vision has hardly changed, so that the narcissistic Stark does not underestimate his achievements and is ready for public appearances in the Iron Man suit.

You're almost going to wonder why all the other superheroes are having such difficulties with their identity, Starks is playing his cards and hardly seems to have any problems. Sure, those aren't that far away, where's the movie without that drama? The government is after his assets, only shedding extra attention to the guy, a certain Russian criminal decided it's target practice and Stark is a perfect candidate.

In the role of Russians convicted criminal Ivan Vanko, we recognize Mickey Rourke, who made a comeback a few years before (like his counterpart and fellow (ex-)bad boy RDJ). After that wonderful role, the presence in Iron Man 2 maybe questioned, because there's little to Rourke's acting; which is more babbling/mumbling with a Russian accent and tacitly threatingly looking around, and being physically present in his action scenes. There isn't much more there otherwise. Other newcomer is Scarlett Johansson, as a result of Tony Stark's long-winded search for a new assistant. It's obvious there's more to the character from the start, but we don't really get a glimpse of that until the third act, we get shown briefly but vigorously that she's a stunning action heroine. Whether the character was necessary in the movie, or if she was just another piece in (back then) Marvel's puzzle for a bigger scheme may be doubted.

Best newcomer of the batch eventually turns out to be Don Cheadle, who replaces Terence Howard (who tipped overboard due to an oversized salary wish), in the role of soldier James Rhodes. In at least half of his scenes, the character is thrown back and forth for his loyalty between the American government and his best friend, Tony Stark. Cheadle plays him with his usualy tormented gaze and knows how to give his character a lot more sympathy than Howard did. Skeptic fans will forget about the cast-change as soon as they see Rhodes in the War Machine suit; first to protect his drunken friend, later to join in true sidekick fashion.

Follow-up films that match or exceed their predecessor are no longer an exception under the comic book adaptations. For example, Spider-Man 2 or the Dark Knight. Mainly because those can focus on character development because the origin has already been done. This made those two suitable (and much better) successors instead of dull repetitions. Unfortunaly, Iron Man 2 doesn't go for that opportunity, as in, it's not the movie it could've been, especially within this genre. The first part had Stark's essential metamorphosis from heartless weapon manufacturer to crime-fighting world improver, but that doesn't mean his character is "finished" with that. What made Spider-Man 2 and The Dark Knight so great was the fact that the main characters ended up in new situations and could only bring them to a good end by finding themselves again. Even though, for Batman, that ended ina pyrrhic victory.

There are plenty of new situations in this film for Stark, but the way he deals with them offers absolutely nothing new to this film or his character. It seems theré's never a moment that asks the utmost of Stark, at the end of the film the characters hasn't changed one inch from the previous film. Iron Man 2 is therefore not immediately a bad film, but it does make the difference between a solid sequel and follow-up film that improves and goes further than the original, adding something essential.

Don't get the wrong impression, Iron Man 2 is just a nice summer blockbuster with simply the same shortcomings and compensating qualities as the first part. Robert Downey, Jr. is in top form in his delicious bickering with.. everyone. The comedy blows life into the characters and the sparse action scenes are exciting and don't repeate each other. The fact that the film is rather coquettish to fans can't even be put as a valid criticism in this genre. With the right expectations, no viewer has to be disappointed by this film.

**7.3/10**

It was understood that the theaters would be sold out but when the three of us came there we just couldn't accept NO for an answer. So we were finally able to buy tickets BUT we were seated separately. It was fine though. The movie kept me entertained. Except for the guy near me who was snoring pretty loud, the movie was great.


Of course Robert Downey Jr was amazing as always. There might be weird critics with this movie but for me, I liked it. The action scenes were just right. It wasn't too much and it wasn't too little. It was weird seeing Don Cheadle though play Terrence Howard's character. I like Terrence better. And then there's Scarlett Johansson who is really sexy although I think there weren't that many acting for her in this movie. There weren't many lines. And what was weird also was that in this movie, the chemistry between Tony Stark and Pepper was not that much compared to the first movie although in this movie they actually ended up together. But all in all I liked the movie. Seeing old characters from the first movie and new characters. I can't wait for a 3rd Iron Man movie.


My rate for this movie is B+.

Yet another ridiculously high rated Marvel movie, we get it Marvel fanboys you just love it when a new Marvel movie comes out, so much that you forget any flaws in it and give it a 10 or a 9 anyways.

But come on seriously? Wouldn't you rather they spent a little time at actually writing a somewhat decent script and making it a bit more entertaining than to praise EVERYTHING they do to the skies just because you want a new chapter in the Marvel universe?

Cause this is NOT a good movie, 35 minutes of decent at best action and 85 minutes of nonsensical blabber.

Mickey Rourke was the only highlight in this movie, the scene at the racetrack with him was really cool but then he just became a wasted opportunity just like the rest of the movie.

A really boring turd of a film.

**A predictable sequel that continues the story of the first film without, however, being as good as it is.**

After an excellent first movie, this was a predictable sequel, but I have to admit that the movie is a bit over the top and that, sometimes, it feels like a very expensive video game. Furthermore, the main character, Tony Stark, is perhaps one of the nastiest and most irritating comic heroes, and this movie seems to try to accentuate that by turning the protagonist into a spoiled playboy who has expensive toys and looks at women like if they were, also, toys. Okay, I know the character was also portrayed like that in the original books, even though I'm not a comics fan. But the movie could give something that made Tony Stark someone we could really care about.

In this film, the hero will face his first great antagonist, the son of a Soviet scientist that Stark's father knew. At the same time, Stark has to face the US Army, who are eager to get their hands on the combat suits he created, discovering that his father knew of a new chemical element, not yet officially discovered, and in which lies the key for the survival of Stark himself. With these brief lines, we can see, right away, that the script is not exactly one of the strong points of the film. The feeling that remains is that the script shoots in several directions, trying to create a more complex story, but that something got in the way and prevented that objective.

The cast basically has the same names as the previous film. Robert Downey Jr. is back to the red armor for yet another film, where he has shown himself to be deftly sarcastic and irritating without losing his heroic pose. Mickey Rourke is a welcome addition to the cast, playing the villain. The actor was able to adapt to the character quite competently. Samuel L. Jackson, Gwyneth Paltrow and Don Cheadle also return, but they don't do more than they did in the previous film, still fulfilling what was asked of them. Scarlett Johansson deserves a praise for her work here, but the rest of the cast just do what needs to be done.

The film is yet another very expensive blockbuster, abundantly financed by Marvel, and it is very obvious that it will become one of the most watched films of the season. With so much money and financial interest involved, the film was doomed to a loud and flashy bet on high-quality, but still obviously false, effects and CGI. The film has a lot of action and the fights are excellent, although obviously choreographed and stilted. The cinematography is crisp, vibrant, and magnificently beautiful. The film bets a lot on quality props, good sets and costumes, as well as a good soundtrack.

**A long form review originally posted in 2010:**

I find, the best way to look at this movie, is as two movies. Sounds strange I know, but bear with me.

On the one hand you have this Super Hero movie, it's about the main character, Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), flying around doing comic book-character type stuff, and it's this pretty okay action film that's worth taking a look at. Then, there's this drama with a hint of comedy, this other film isn't really a genre, it's just about the characters interacting with each other, it's about the main character, Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), driving around doing billionaire-playboy type stuff, and this movie, is fucking great. Part script, and part flawless acting, this movie sets _Iron Man 2_ apart from any other Super Hero film out there. It was explored in the first film, and you get a similar thing there, but in this movie the division is more clear, and it bizarrely benefits from it.

When films go franchise-style, it's inevitable that there will be scheduling conflicts, it's an unfortunate part of the industry, particularly when you have a deadline to meet, and for whatever reason, an actor will be unable to return to their original role. Such an event takes place in _Iron Man 2_ when Lt. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes (originally played by Terrance Howard) is replaced by Don Cheadle. I personally think that Howard was better suited to the role, simply because he looks more like Rhodey does in the comics. But their way of dealing with the changeover is simple, and clever, the character's first lines, whilst making perfect sense in context, are "Look, it's me, I'm here, deal with it. Let's move on. Drop it." Very classy.

Although Mickey Rourke (_Get Carter, Sin City, The Wrestler, Man on Fire, The Expendables_) manages a very convincing evil Russian; Ivan Vanko, who's a perfectly good character, Whiplash as a villain is unfortunately somewhat lacking. Sam Rockwell (_The Green Mile, The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, Frost/Nixon, Moon, Conviction_) plays Justin Hammer, corporate rival of Stark's. Scarlett Johansen (_Eight Legged Freaks, The Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Island, The Prestige, The Spirit_) is another good addition to the cast, in the role of Natalie Rushman A.K.A Natasha Romanoff A.K.A Black Widow. Samuel L. Jackson (_Jurassic Park, Pulp Fiction, Jackie Brown, The Starwars Prequel Trilogy, Shaft, S.W.A.T, Kill Bill Volume 2, Snakes on a Plane, 1408, The Spirit, Inglourious Basterds_) portraying S.H.I.E.L.D Director Nick Fury, rounds out the newbies in the cast. And it's all good news.

The Hammerdrones are an attempt at revamping the whole boss-battle that was such a let down in the original film, which honestly, once again didn't really work out. Once again it's a case of the character interaction that makes the film what it is. The effects also went a long way in the line of helping out the film, 'cause they were awesome. There are a couple of negatives in the script, just those moments when the suspension of disbelief is not... suspend-y enough. As for example the line; "Congratulations sir, you have created a new element", is a little flawed.

Though if I was forced to choose between them, I would probably say that _Iron Man_ is the better of the two films, but _Iron Man 2_ has a better re-watch value in my opinion, which I prize highly. I wait with baited breath for the next Marvel film to come out, _Thor_.

63%

-Gimly