Word number one to remember: Expectations. They have ruined many an entertainment experience, haven’t they? It’s true in sports and it’s certainly true with movies, especially movie sequels. The original sets the standard and few sequels are ever able to rise to the challenge. So it seems. Empire Strikes Back did it, and so did The Dark Knight. Now, Iron Man 2 comes quite close.
Word number two to remember: Caffeine. You’re going to need it. Not because of a boring story plot or a lack of action. Far from it on both counts. Just grab a Mountain Dew instead of a glass of wine because you’re going to need to be quite alert to follow this story. Plenty of “…but wait a second…oh yeah…” moments follow this roller-coaster ride of action.
Jon Favreau plays the role of player-coach in this one, serving as both actor (Happy) and director. He had a lot to work with and got a lot done. A great returning cast, highlighted by The Robert Downey, Jr, and a franchise newby Mickey Roarke, along with a solid story line, plenty of action and special fx make for a sequel that just about matches the original…almost. Downey plays the narcissistic Tony Stark in a way that actually makes me root for someone that insanely self-absorbed—which is not easy. Actually, the entire cast is great—save Sam Rockwell, who plays Justin Hammer. Yes, I realize the character is supposed to be dastardly annoying, but Rockwell adds far too many pinches of ‘moron’ to the character and ruined a salty role. But then again, I haven’t actually liked this guy in anything since Galaxy Quest…so maybe I’m biased.
We pick up where the last left off. Stark is a global hero and celebrity with all except the US Government, who wants a piece of the Iron Man action. ”No” says Stark. Enter Ivan Vanko (Roarke), a pissed russian whose daddy helped develop the original Iron Man technology. He comes after Iron Man…yadayadayada…the war is on bitches!
My issues with Iron Man 2 are two-fold. I’m not familiar with the comic book, so Nick Fury’s presence was a “who the heck is this guy” moment. Further, his mental and emotional captivation of our hero, Stark, just befuddled me. Samuel L. Jackson (Fury) appears for a few cameos, most assuredly to set up Iron Man 3, but I really had no idea who he was, what he was doing and why Stark bowed to him as he did. Again, I’m sure if I had a little more comic geek in my blood, I would get it—I don’t and I didn’t.
The only other irksome moment was the brotherly feud between Rhodes (Don Cheadle) and Stark, which was necessary to a certain extent, but was really overplayed as a messy and tangled lull in the story. It just made me go, “Ehh…please don’t do that…don’t go there!” But alas, they did…they went.
Word number three to remember: well, it’s…FOUR! I give it 4…what the heck, 4.5 stars—because I will definitely see it again.
Thanks for reading…and, as a free tip just for you, remember…never kiss a moving freight train or a moving Iron Man.
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