The first “Iron Man” movie was one of the best blockbuster films to have graced the screen in recent years, albeit a bit forgettable. It achieved the near-perfect balance between pure entertainment and smarts that all summer movies aspire to attain, and it was rewarded for it. The film was extremely successful both domestically and internationally, and it re-launched the career of the critically acclaimed, but until then, not very bankable, Robert Downey Jr.
In many ways “Iron Man 2” is a rehash of its predecessor, but having done away with the required character introductions in the first movie, this film feels more assured and it is more successful because of it. And yes, there are big explosions–as a matter of fact the film’s climax is a 30-minute effects extravaganza that’s bound to leave the most insatiable action buff satisfied. But the returning characters, and our familiarity with them, are what make the movie stand out from other action fare out there.
Downey Jr. is still as charismatic as ever, a joy to watch as he delivers one-liners with self-assuredness and comedic timing that many actors wish they possessed. He has become Tony Stark, and embodies the character as if he had been playing him for years. The movie’s success rests on his talents to such an extent that whenever Tony puts on the suit, the film automatically becomes less enjoyable.
Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Virginia “Pepper” Pots, and I’m delighted to report that she is as charming as ever. Most importantly, she’s not to be outdone by Mr. Downey Jr. Their dynamic on-screen is very enjoyable to watch and it is Pepper who allows Tony to become a relatable character, as opposed to a zinger-spitting caricature. A plethora of characters join the previous two, including Scarlett Johansson as Tony’s new assistant, Don Cheadle as James “Rhodey” Rhodes and the always-entertaining Samuel L. Jackson as S.H.I.E.L.D. leader Nick Fury. It is a feat by the director, John Favreau, that the film never feels cluttered or rushed.
As I said before, “Iron Man 2” is very much a rehash of the original “Iron Man,” and unfortunately it inherits its most memorable blunders. The movie’s plot is a bit of a mess. On the one side, we are introduced to a new villain: Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), a Russian ex-convict set on avenging his father with the help of Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), a millionaire who longs to become the next Tony Stark. Just like in the previous film though, the villains are so underdeveloped that they quickly veer into cartoon territory (for example, Vanko has plenty of tattoos and a vodka-drinking habit to prove his bad nature and his nationality, respectively). On the other hand, the movie also deals with Tony’s debilitating health and his internal struggle with the legacy of his father, and while Downey Jr. gives it his all, the script is not as tight as it should be, failing to pull all of the components together into a coherent narrative. As a result, there are times when the movie feels aimless and directionless.
Despite all the similarities, “Iron Man 2” is better than its predecessor. It is more fun, it is more fleshed out and it is something the first “Iron Man” was not–entirely memorable.