Iron Man 2 Review

One word: FINALLY!!!!

I have finally seen the first truly spectacular film of 2010. I walked into this film eagerly awaiting what was to come, and I walked out of “Iron Man 2” with a huge smile on my face and a body pumped full of adrenaline. I got a major high off of this film. My hands are still shaking with joy as I’m at my computer typing this review. I can’t contain my enthusiasm and excitement for this film. If you’ve already seen this film, then keep reading. If you haven’t, why the fuck are you still sitting at your computer? Get off your ass and go see “Iron Man 2”. NOW!

“Iron Man 2” begins 6 months after Tony Stark reveals to the world that he is in fact Iron Man. Tony Stark is still that smooth-talking billionaire playboy we remember from the first film. However, Tony starts to realize that what is keeping him alive (the arc reactor in his chest) is also killing him. Plus, he’s running out of way to charge the reactor and needs to discover a better element to charge the reactor. Then you have the subplot about how the U.S. government wants possession of the Iron Man suit. And the one about the increasing sexual tension between Tony and his assistant Pepper Potts, and the fact that a new potential love interest arrives on the scene in the form of Natalie Rushman. And let’s not forget about the subplot involving a Russian physicist named Ivan Vanko who decides to kill Tony Stark for past transgressions against his family. And how does Ivan decide to exact his revenge? By creating his own arc reactor and using its power to create electric whips.

My biggest concern walking into this film was all the subplots. Subplots could be the kiss of death for a film if not juggled fluently and entertainingly. Past victims have included “Batman & Robin”, “X-Men: The Last Stand”, and the awful “Spider-Man 3”. Thankfully, “Iron Man 2” never allows itself to drown in its subplots. All of the subplots in this film provide their own reasons why they are vital to the story and how important they are in the long run. One subplot that I know that has been getting a lot of bad reception is the subplot involving Tony’s father, Howard Stark. I actually found that subplot to be rather interesting because it reveals a new side of Tony Stark. It allows Stark to overcome his own doubts and fears, and for him to come to the realization that he was born to be Iron Man. But my favorite subplot involves Iron Man being challenged by Ivan Vanko, who becomes Whiplash. A big reason why the subplot works incredibly well is the great performance from Mickey Rourke. He is everything you want a comic-book villain to be: creepy, intimidating, and downright menacing. But Mickey Rourke adds a whole other layer to Whiplash that raises him from being a good villain to a great one. And when you have Iron Man and Whiplash duking it out, shit hits the fan. Hardcore.

Speaking of hardcore, the action in this film is a major improvement over the first one. While the first film had a few good action scenes, this film has many fantastic action scenes. The last 20 to 30 minutes of “Iron Man 2” is the best action scene I’ve had the thrill of watching since the Bat-pod chase in “The Dark Knight”. The scene is so crazy and so fucking awesome that I thought I was going to have a heart attack. In fact, every action scene in this film is amazing. The stunts are expertly done, and they are a blast to watch. Another thing that increases the quality of the action scenes are the visual effects, which are some of the best I have ever seen. It’s the littlest details that truly bring the effects to life. The way Whiplash’s electric whips radiate and seem to have a mind of their own. The ways the Iron Man suits look also add another level of awesome to the effects.

One of the strongest points of the first film was the acting, and that is even better here. Robert Downey Jr. is still brilliant as Tony Stark. I cannot imagine another actor playing Stark and giving him the same charisma and charm that Downey Jr. brings to the table. He is so cocky to the point of being a complete asshole, but we still like him and definitely root for him. Gwyneth Paltrow is also great once again as Stark’s loyal assistant. Don Cheadle (replacing Terrance Howard) is fantastic as Stark’s friend James Rhodes, who eventually becomes War Machine. Sam Rockwell is also a superb casting choice as Stark’s business rival Justin Hammer. His slimy personality never gets old as the film progresses. But the one actor who I really wasn’t expecting anything good from was Scarlett Johansson, but she gives a good performance in what little screen time she has. An appearance by Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury is also welcomed with open arms. Garry Shandling is great, plus he gets to deliver one of the film’s funniest lines. Hell, even the routine Stan Lee cameo was good.

The one minor complaint I have against “Iron Man 2” (and keep in mind people, one minor complaint in an otherwise incredible movie) is that I didn’t feel the script was as witty as it was in the original. Don’t get me wrong, the script works very well but there really is no big pop to the dialogue like in the first film, especially during the second-third of the film. Other than that, no complaints.

Overall, “Iron Man 2” is the perfect summer film. It makes you walk out feeling good and excited. I can’t wait to see this film again. I recommend it to anybody looking to have a fun time at the movie theater this weekend. “Iron Man 2” is the sequel I was praying and hoping for, and it’s one of the best Marvel films ever made. A-