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**