Oh, Robert Downey Jr. He's pretty much my favorite actor now, especially after this excellent take on Sherlock Holmes. His portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man 2, though, trumps his first appearance as the titular hero's not-so-secret identity.
Although this film was one of those near-perfect blockbuster movie-going experiences, there were five things that really took this film from being merely a "very good" to a "must-see" for me.
Reason One: Characterization
The first Iron Man film, being the very first, couldn't spend too much time delving into characterization beyond Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Sure, we were introduced to a number of characters, but I don't think we ever felt we truly knew anyone else all that well. This time around, while the focus remains on Stark, we learn more about the personalities and motivations of the supporting cast. Though he never comes out and says it, you know throughout the entire movie that Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) wants nothing more than to be Tony Stark. You can see how hard the man tries to impress, but he's so utterly awkward and inept that everyone can see it. Lt. Colonel Rhodes, played by Don Cheadle this time around, is developed into more than a mere friend and sidekick. He's so clearly torn between loyalty to Stark, dedication to his country, and a sense of duty that every action he takes is clearly an internal struggle for him, and we can't help but cheer for him to work everything out in the end.
Reason Two: The Action/Drama/Comedy Balance
While Iron Man 2 is first and foremost an action movie, it maintains an excellent balance between these three genres. The dramatic parts are glued together by spectacular action scenes, and the whole thing is glazed with some wonderfully comedic dialogue. Once again, Robert Downey Jr. pretty much isTony Stark, especially when it comes to the comedy part.
Reason Three: Superb Casting
Our leading man aside, the casting for this film was spot-on. Mickey Rourke is the perfect ugly, nasty-looking villain, and he was the perfect choice to play Ivan Vanko, whose lust for revenge against the Stark family runs deep. Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer was so wonderfully obnoxious and dorky that you couldn't help but feel a sort of embarrassment whenever he opened his mouth. Oh, and yes, Scarlett Johansson looked very good in the skin-tight black suit.
Reason Four: Shiny Special Effects
Though I am not one to overlook a film's flaws purely because it's pretty (yeah, that's right, I'm looking at you, Avatar), you still can't help but enjoy seeing Iron Man in action. Oh, if only it weren't physically impossible to actually fly like that! The effects are really great, though I don't think one could really expect much else from a big-budget Hollywood movie like this.
Reason Five: Robert Downey Jr.
Yeah, that's right: he's so awesome he gets his own spot on the list. Seriously, he is that good as this character! Tony Stark is a narcissistic, alcoholic, highly intelligent, attention-deficit, super-rich super hero. He relishes the fact that he's known the world over for being more than simply his father's son. As he says in one of the opening scenes, "I have successfully privatized world peace." He's so wonderfully full of himself, and yet you can see when he's fighting against his self-destructive or selfish tendencies in order to do the right thing.
To wrap things up, all I can really say is that Iron Man 2 is worth the money. Sure, I went to a matinee so I paid just $5, but that's because I'm poor. If I'd had more money, I would gladly have paid $12.50 to see it in IMAX. I promise, you can't help but smile and enjoy this worthy successor to the first Iron Man.
Oh, and don't forget to wait until after the credits! There's a little surprise clip at the end! If you really have to pee, run to the bathroom and come back. The credits take forever, so you'll have plenty of time.
Although this film was one of those near-perfect blockbuster movie-going experiences, there were five things that really took this film from being merely a "very good" to a "must-see" for me.
Reason One: Characterization
The first Iron Man film, being the very first, couldn't spend too much time delving into characterization beyond Tony Stark and Pepper Potts. Sure, we were introduced to a number of characters, but I don't think we ever felt we truly knew anyone else all that well. This time around, while the focus remains on Stark, we learn more about the personalities and motivations of the supporting cast. Though he never comes out and says it, you know throughout the entire movie that Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) wants nothing more than to be Tony Stark. You can see how hard the man tries to impress, but he's so utterly awkward and inept that everyone can see it. Lt. Colonel Rhodes, played by Don Cheadle this time around, is developed into more than a mere friend and sidekick. He's so clearly torn between loyalty to Stark, dedication to his country, and a sense of duty that every action he takes is clearly an internal struggle for him, and we can't help but cheer for him to work everything out in the end.
Reason Two: The Action/Drama/Comedy Balance
While Iron Man 2 is first and foremost an action movie, it maintains an excellent balance between these three genres. The dramatic parts are glued together by spectacular action scenes, and the whole thing is glazed with some wonderfully comedic dialogue. Once again, Robert Downey Jr. pretty much isTony Stark, especially when it comes to the comedy part.
Reason Three: Superb Casting
Our leading man aside, the casting for this film was spot-on. Mickey Rourke is the perfect ugly, nasty-looking villain, and he was the perfect choice to play Ivan Vanko, whose lust for revenge against the Stark family runs deep. Sam Rockwell's Justin Hammer was so wonderfully obnoxious and dorky that you couldn't help but feel a sort of embarrassment whenever he opened his mouth. Oh, and yes, Scarlett Johansson looked very good in the skin-tight black suit.
Reason Four: Shiny Special Effects
Though I am not one to overlook a film's flaws purely because it's pretty (yeah, that's right, I'm looking at you, Avatar), you still can't help but enjoy seeing Iron Man in action. Oh, if only it weren't physically impossible to actually fly like that! The effects are really great, though I don't think one could really expect much else from a big-budget Hollywood movie like this.
Reason Five: Robert Downey Jr.
Yeah, that's right: he's so awesome he gets his own spot on the list. Seriously, he is that good as this character! Tony Stark is a narcissistic, alcoholic, highly intelligent, attention-deficit, super-rich super hero. He relishes the fact that he's known the world over for being more than simply his father's son. As he says in one of the opening scenes, "I have successfully privatized world peace." He's so wonderfully full of himself, and yet you can see when he's fighting against his self-destructive or selfish tendencies in order to do the right thing.
To wrap things up, all I can really say is that Iron Man 2 is worth the money. Sure, I went to a matinee so I paid just $5, but that's because I'm poor. If I'd had more money, I would gladly have paid $12.50 to see it in IMAX. I promise, you can't help but smile and enjoy this worthy successor to the first Iron Man.
Oh, and don't forget to wait until after the credits! There's a little surprise clip at the end! If you really have to pee, run to the bathroom and come back. The credits take forever, so you'll have plenty of time.
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