IRON MAN 2
Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark, the wealthy playboy whose exploits as Iron Man are now public knowledge after his admission at the close of the first film. In the follow-up, Stark is pitted against his Russian arch nemesis, Whiplash (Mickey Rourke), and corporate rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell). Also making their Marvel debuts are Scarlett Johansson as the sexy Russian spy Black Widow, and Don Cheadle, who takes over the role of Colonel James Rhodes from Terrence Howard. ~ Jeremy Wheeler, All Movie Guide
Director: Jon Favreau
Cast: Robert Downey, Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell.
Release Date: May 07, 2010
Rated PG-13 for violence, some language and intense sci-fi action
Runtime: 2 hr. 4 min.
Genres: Superhero
Review:
Bloated, unfocused and kind of a bore Iron Man 2 start the summer movie season with a unexpected whimper. Jon Favreau loses focus of what made the original so much fun, Downey. Jr. charisma and smart quips, instead attempts to make everything bigger and better. Larger louder and much cheesier action sequences are the order of the day and Favreau over indulges in what he thinks will make the audience happy. The cast of characters is expanded and the story larger in scope but none of it is terribly interesting or engaging. Downey Jr. only gets a few precious moments to shine and on occasion fades into the background due to the unfocused nature of the script. Gwyneth Paltrow fares better with better story line this go around and her and Downey Jr. have a natural rapport together on screen, their interactions on some of the best parts of the film. Don Cheadle, taking over for Terrance Howard, isn’t given must to do even though the character is more prevalent and does the best he can with it. Mickey Rourke brings and an interesting sleaziness to his villainous character but feels like more of an afterthought throughout, the climatic battle between him, War Machine and Iron Man is equally uninspired. Scarlett Johansson is wooden for the better part of her screen time and it feels like she knows she’s just there to fill out a catsuit and nothing more. Sam Rockwell and Sam Jackson are under utilized much like the rest of the cast. Lack of focus and a bevy of underwritten plot lines hinder this film, draining it of most of the fun associated with the original. It’s not a terrible movie but it’s not a very good one either. It’s passable even though it feels like a place holder, a connecting bridge to another larger sequel or the much talked about Avengers team up.
C-
