Iron Man 2 Review

Tony Stark was made for film and Tony Stark was made for Robert Downey Jr. His role in the first film ends with the immortal line "I am Ironman" and the entire premise of Iron Man 2 follows. This entails Stark's alter ego crossing flight paths with Lieutenant Colenel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), providing a competitive business for Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) and having epic duels with lead villain Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko. Add the returning Gwyneth Paltrow, newly appointed assistant Scarlett Johansson and SHIELD's own Samuel L Jackson, director Jon Favreau is ambitious in covering so many possibilities in a two hour film. All this to an AC/DC soundtrack.

Now summing up the plot like this makes many wonder whether Iron Man 2 falls into the same trap Spiderman 3 fell into. The approximately 500 million villains, the compulsory love-interest as well as the main character exploring his dark side proved too much for the Spiderman fellowship to bare. The relinquishing of great power and great responsibility by both director Sam Raimi and actor Toby Maguire has resulted in the need for a new lead in a planned but possibly premature reboot. The comic book movie industry is one of the most demanding genres in terms of output. With an already contracted threequel in the works as well as a role for Tony Starks in the Avengers film in 2012. A poor show was not an option.

Consequently Iron Man 2 plays like it's predecessor just on a bigger budget (not that you could tell the difference mind). This means the action sequences are even more spectacular, noteworthy and original on a big screen. One instance in Monte Carlo demonstrates Stark's swagger of James Bond proportions from in the bar schmoozing with the ladies (he goes as far as ordering a martini!) to high octane racing with the big boys in a fetching overall. What ensues can only be aptly described perhaps as Favreau's opinion on how to make Formula 1 more interesting.

Although action is very much on the agenda for most of the film, make no mistake Iron Man 2 is also casually funny. Mostly thanks to Downey Jr's charm, it is also down to director Favreau himself who plays Stark Enterprises chief bodyguard. The term "bodyguard" is used loosely though as Favreau provides sparring partner, portable baggage handler and comic sidekick throughout the film. With attributes like those one could consider him a triple threat on screen but his talents from the chair is what probably pays the bills.

It's clear when watching that everyone involved had a great time in making it. The absence of Terrence Howard, who was reportedly, on the biggest contract of the main cast (!) in the original as well as Favreau's alleged dislike in his portrayal of Rhodes led to his replacement, Don Cheadle, getting the role in the sequel. Nevertheless the film's spotlight firmly shines on Downey Jr. who can check superhero sequel off his "to do" list. One wonders if the series will catch 3D fever because watching Iron Man 2 you couldn't help but be intrigued and excited to see the results.