“Iron Man 2” Movie Review

Iron man costumes on display at Comic Con 2009, San Diego, CA. Photo by S. Valle

If you expect to be blown away by “Iron Man 2” as you most likely were when you watched “Iron Man”, you won't be disappointed! There's enough explosions, electrical charges, and protons and neutrons being displaced per minute of celluloid in this film to create another element for the periodic table.

“Iron Man 2” is sure to be a blockbuster, but what I'm not too sure about is if it's due to Robert Downey Jr. 's lasting impression as the smart, smooth-operating and witty Tony Stark, or if it's the staying power of the Marvel franchise — we'll have to wait after this weekend to find out.

But. If the applause at the end of last night's screening of “Iron man 2” (IM2) at the Gaslamp Theaters in San Diego, CA is an indicator of how much audiences are in love with the super hero himself or Downey, then hold on to your ticket because IM2 might set a record.

Let me tell you right off the bat that “Iron Man” is by far my favorite contemporary action movie (after classics like “Indiana Jones” and “Star Wars”), so the sequel had a lot to live up to; sharp, unrelenting dialog; an unpredictable course of events based on current events, sustained sexual tension between the main characters, and an action-packed build up to a gratifying ending.

Did it fulfill my expectations?

I'll tell you in a minute.

First, I have to make a disclaimer. Robert Downey Jr. 's  performance in the first IM is tattooed in my brain as an unmatched, unequaled and (insert your favorite adjective for great here) successful comeback for an actor. Having said this, every movie he's been in since then (“Sherlock Holmes, “Tropic Thunder” and “The Soloist”) has captivated my full and undivided attention regardless of its quality — though his acting has been superb as well.

With this is out of the way, let's break down IM2.

Without squelching your obvious excitement (like mine) to be thoroughly entertained by this follow-up film, I'll keep my opinions short and to the point. After all, movies are a matter of personal taste.

The beginning gets off to a slow gritty start with Mickey Rourke playing a Russian physicist who barely utters a few heavily-accented lines throughout the film.

Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, the much anticipated hero of the previous installment, delivers the same physical substance to the film, BUT, I'm sorry to say, not during the first 15 minutes of his self indulgent, high-kicking, over produced grand entrance. The self-centered arrogance of the movie's central character almost put me over the edge –fortunately Scarlett Johansen appears just in time to keep the focus on the plot.

Gwyneth Paltrow, I thought, was less spicy as Pepper Potts this time around, and the sexual tension between she and her boss wasn't as flagrant.

Samuel L. Jackson's short performance was confusing, and his repetitive references to the “Iron Man” suit had me recalling his voice in “The Incredibles” every time he said the word suit: “Where's my suppa suit?!”

Don Cheadle recaptures his previous character as Stark's best friend and protector, however, at one point between blasts and suit changes, I was confused about whose side he was on! 

Oh, and was that DJ AM as himself? Yes it was. His part was filmed before he died.

Overall, I found there were too many good guys after a few bad guys who were all in collusion to destroy Stark.

The finale left me with an uneasy feeling which I can't quite place my finger on; the battle scenes were prolonged; the gadgets and effects practically the same as the first installment, and as for Potts and Stark… they didn't do it for me this time.

I know there's going to be an “Iron Man 3,” but the ending to this sequel didn't quite leave me wanting more… and I was bummed about that.

“Don't Think. Drink,” is a line delivered by Stark. 

If you make sure this is your mindset when you go watch “Iron Man 2”, then you'll probably love it!

The movie is rated PG-13 for strong and violent action sequences and some language.

I give “Iron Man 2”  (3 1/2) out of 5 smiles. (And Downey gets the rest !)