Review: IRON MAN 2

I made the unfortunate mistake of watching a certain movie critic doing a review of IRON MAN 2 two weeks ago on youtube. That certain movie critic placed a small seed of doubt in my mind before the screening. I officially want to say to that movie critic: Go read a fucking comic book.

For me, IRON MAN is the best superhero film we have seen to date. I know that all of the DARK KNIGHT fanboys are going to light me on fire later but I said it and I have no problem going a few rounds with you to prove why. Jon Favreau directed a perfect, and what should/is widely considered to be the epitome of a comic book movie. There isnt anything I would change about the original.

I will be the first to admit that after they announced the release date for this film just days after the huge weekend box office that the first film had in 2008, I was more than a little skeptical. I just think its bad business to announce the release date for a sequel to the film without having signed the director to come back, have a written script, or any of the other things people typically do when announcing core details.

Well luckily all of that worked itself out, Favreau signed back on to direct, Justin Theroux came on board to write the sequel, and 75% of the original actors would be back. The only exception…Terrence Howard who played Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes. Reports say that there were some issues with salary demands from the Howard camp, which led to them recasting the role with Don Cheadle. Personally I loved Terrence Howard as Rhodes, and I think IRON MAN 2 suffered a bit because of it.

I think that’s enough back story for you all…lets get into it. IRON MAN 2 picks up 6 months after after Tony Stark reveals that he is Iron Man, and Tony is unveiling the Stark Expo. After the expo he is confronted by the sexiest subpoena server in the history of subpoena server’s played wonderfully by Kate Mara. Stark is set to appear in court to defend the Iron Man suit against claims from Senator Stern (Garry Shandling). During court we are introduced to Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), and the newly recast Lieutenant Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle).

Before the 6 month time shift, we learn that Howard Stark wasnt alone in developing some of the technologies it takes to run the Iron Man suit. The Arc Reactor was also developed by a russian named Anton Vanko. His son Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) will later become Whiplash in order to seek revenge for his father against the Stark family.

Somehow in all of the trailers we only see Justin Hammer for a split second, but his character has a somewhat large role in the film. He is essentially the less talented, more nerdy version of Tony Stark. Since the departure of Stark Enterprises in the weapons mfg, Hammer Industries has stepped in and taken over all of the government contracts.

I said it previously and I think it deserves stating again that Terrence Howard should still be James Rhodes/War Machine. I say that as a HUGE fan of Don Cheadle and his body of work, but the majority of the lines just didnt feel right coming from him. Howard has a great delivery and he would have utilized the scenes much better. Howard had a swagger in the role, and I just didnt feel that from Cheadle.

Scarlett Johansson plays two characters, by day she is Natalie Rushman, a paper jockey who works in the Legal department at Stark Enterprises. In her spare time she is S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff also known as Black Widow. I have heard from a few different critics that they felt she was unneeded in the film and was essentially wasted. To that I say A) how dare you and B) introducing additional superheroes especially ones that will play a role in The Avengers isn’t a bad thing. She doesn’t feel out of place and I definitely wasn’t upset having to see her in the leather jumpsuit.

Samuel L. Jackson is back as Nick Fury (What? You didnt watch past the credits in the first IRON MAN?? Shame on you), who is the head of S.H.I.E.L.D. and ultimate badass. He steps in to help Tony Stark get his act together, and provide him with a few missing pieces to his puzzle.

Robert Downey Jr. does an equally perfect job as Tony Stark in the second installment. He embodies the character better than I ever visioned him on screen, and after having seen the movie twice now, can’t wait for the third film. Downey Jr. has come full circle and its a breath of fresh air to be seeing him in his second big movie in less than a year.

Surprisingly Jon Favreau’s character has a bigger role this time around and it couldn’t be anymore welcome. Happy Hogan, Stark’s bodyguard, provides quite a bit of comic relief in almost every one of his scenes. I was stoked to hear that his role was bigger in the early reviews, and I am hoping that we are just seeing a setup for the Happy Hogan origin movie (hah).

Speaking of Favreau I would be remiss if I didnt touch on the fact that he has now delivered us two of the greatest comic book movies ever made. His directing capabilities are off the charts and I am very excited to see what he does in the future.

So for those of you keeping count, I said one negative thing about the film previous to this next sentence but it has to be said. I felt like there should have been a little bit more action or fight scenes. I noticed it a lot more the second go around with the movie and its pretty easy to miss. However after having it pointed out to me I looked for it more the second time. The movie works perfectly, and its easy to see how action was substituted by story and setup so I wont knock it too much because of that.

Also, big props to DJ AM who makes his last appearance in anything…RIP good sir.

All in all this movie is a MUST see, especially since any downside to the film has about 3 upsides that make it even more worth your time. Whatever you do this weekend get out and see IRON MAN 2.

Overall Rating: 4 out of 5