Iron Man 2
Downey Delights with Charm and Derring-Do in Swashbucking Sequel
Iron Man 2
Rated PG-13 for profanity and intense sci-fi violence.
In English and French with subtitles.
Running time: 125 Minutes
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Film Review by Kam Williams
Excellent (4 stars)
What makes Iron Man stand apart from other comic book screen superheroes is
the savoir faire of the title character’s debonair alter ego. Billionaire
inventor Tony Stark is always quick with the clever quip, whether reacting
flirtatiously to the arrival of a new employee ("I want one!"), impulsively
entering the Monaco Grand Prix ("What’s the point of owning a race car if
you can’t drive it?"), or dismiissing an insufferable adversary ("You look
like you have friends in low places.").
This makes the movie a delight to watch not only during the obligatory fight
sequences but the rest of the time as well. Credit in this regard must go to
by Robert Downey, Jr. for lending an abundance of natural charm to the role
and to director Jon Favreau for ostensibly encouraging his star’s
inclination to augment his scripted lines with lots of inspired ad-libs.
Besides Downey, other returning cast members include Favreau as Stark’s
chauffeur Happy Hogan; Gwyneth Paltrow as his employee and potential love
interest Virginia "Pepper" Potts; Leslie Bibb as reporter Christine
Everheart, Clark Gregg as Agent Phil Coulson; and
Samuel L. Jackson in an
expanded capacity as General Nick Fury. And foremost among additions to the
A-List ensemble are Don Cheadle who replaces
Terrence Howard as Stark’s pal
Lt. Col. James "Rhodey" Rhodes; Mickey Rourke as his nemesis Ivan Vanko; Sam
Rockwell as his business rival Justin Hammer; and Scarlett Johansson as the
inscrutable temptress Natalie Rushman.
The sequel picks up right where the original adventure left off, with Iron
Man serving as a formidable deterrent to those even thinking about causing
trouble anywhere on the planet. Because his identity has been revealed,
Stark is soon subpoenaed to testify in front of the U.S. Senate Armed
Services Subcommittee by a showboating Senator (Garry Shandling) demanding
that he share his secrets with the military. But the suspicious genius
inventor, feeling that he has successfully privatized world peace, refuses
out of a concern that the state-of-the-art technology could fall into the
wrong hands.
Meanwhile, half a world away, Ivan Vanko, a maniacal Russian physicist with
a personal grudge to settle with the Stark family, is meeting with
frustration while working on his own impenetrable suit of armor. His limited
resources and lust for revenge conveniently dovetail with the needs of
munitions manufacturer Justin Hammer who has plenty of money but not the
know-how to compete with Stark Industries.
This straightforward setup hints at the inevitable battle royal between the
forces of good and evil. En route to that spectacular, special
effects-driven showdown, expect to be engaged by a variety of intriguing
subplots revolving around everything from Tony’s failing health to Rhodey’s
loyalty to Pepper’s promotion to CEO to Natalie’s true identity.
Overall, a satisfying sequel signaling a promising start of the summer
blockbuster season. Just be sure to hang around clear through to the end of
the closing credits for a big clue about which Marvel superhero might be
adapted to the big screen next.