Iron Man 2

At its high points - the first act and the climax - Iron Man 2 is actually better than the first film. Everything up to and including the action scene in Monaco is just great fun to watch: the action, the character interactions, and of course Robert Downey Jr's wonderful portrayal of Tony Stark. And the action scene at the end is pretty epic.

The problem is, the film just stops being so much fun in-between. In a large proportion of this time, it's either going too slowly with little happening that's exciting or even particularly interesting, or it's providing some silly moments like Iron Man lounging on a giant display donut. To be fair, there's no problem with the many subplots this movie has: they all blend together quite smoothly.

The acting in this film deserves credit: almost everybody does a great job. Robert Downey Jr and Gwyneth Paltrow are just as entertaining as they were in the first film, Jon Favreau gets more to do as Stark's chauffeur, Don Cheadle is actually a little better than Terrence Howard as Rhodie (again, maybe because he has a bigger role), Mickey Rourke portrays a decent but overall ordinary villain, and once Scarlett Johansson is allowed to do something substantial with her own action sequence, she's well worth watching. The only weak link is Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer, who gets quite annoying after a while.

Overall, Iron Man 2's slow middle section prevents it from being better than the first film as a whole, which is a shame considering how brilliant the beginning and end segments are.

Jon Favreau knew exactly what he was doing with this movie. This is a sleek, no-holds barred superhero movie, with great performances from Robert Downey Jr. and Mickey Rourke. Let's face it, it was almost impossible to top the first one; nevertheless this a good sequel to one of the best superhero movies ever made.

Scarlett Johansson fulfilled her role as the the sexy and cunning agent Natasha Romanoff, and Gwyneth Paltrow is fine as Pepper Potts. Sam Rockwell plays Tony Stark's competitor, and does a pretty good job at it.

The only problem I have with this movie is that too many things have been fitted into 124 minutes. I understand that the movie was meant to be a roller-coaster ride, intended to thrill, but a little more character development would certainly have helped the movie. For example Samuel L. Jackson ans Johansson's characters are underused. Also, the ending was a little disoriented and predictable; something just didn't feel right about it.

All in all, Jon Favreau has made a movie that would please the fanboys and satisfy the critics. This is a movie that entertains, while still complementing the first movie, and setting up a third movie. If you liked the first movie, just go ahead and watch this movie - you won't see a masterpiece, but you'll have a fun day at the movies.

P.S.- Watch out for the after credits scene

!! Possible Spoilers!!

*Iron Man 2* picks up shortly after the events of its predecessor, finding Tony Stark basking in the glow of his newfound hero status. However, the film quickly reveals a darker underbelly to the billionaire playboy's life. His reliance on the Arc Reactor, the power source for his Iron Suit, is slowly poisoning him, while the demands of the public and the military put immense pressure on Stark Industries.

Mickey Rourke delivers a menacing performance as Ivan Vanko, a bitter Russian scientist seeking revenge against Stark for his father's downfall. Vanko's creation, the Whiplash suit, proves to be a formidable opponent for Iron Man. The film also introduces Samuel L. Jackson's Nick Fury in a more prominent role, laying the groundwork for the Avengers initiative.

While Downey Jr. Continues to shine as the charismatic and witty Tony Stark, the film struggles to maintain the same level of originality and excitement as its predecessor. The plot becomes increasingly convoluted as it juggles multiple storylines, including Stark's personal struggles, the threat of Vanko, and the introduction of new characters like Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) and War Machine (Don Cheadle).

The action sequences are undeniably impressive, with the iconic climax featuring multiple Iron Suits battling it out. However, the film's pacing suffers at times, and the overall tone is less focused than the first installment. Additionally, the resolution of the palladium poisoning plot point feels somewhat rushed and anticlimactic.

Key plot points:-

* Tony Stark's dependency on the Arc Reactor * The introduction of Ivan Vanko and the Whiplash * The development of the War Machine armor * Black Widow's first appearance in the MCU * The increasing involvement of Nick Fury and S. H. I. E. L. D.

Despite its flaws, *Iron Man 2* is still an entertaining superhero film with plenty of eye-catching moments. It successfully expands the Marvel Cinematic Universe and sets the stage for future installments. However, it ultimately falls short of reaching the heights of its predecessor.

Positives:

• Robert Downey Jr.
• The first act
• Ideas with potential

Negatives:

• Second and third acts
• Inconsistent story and pacing
• Villain(s)

For some reason this movie had not been getting the greatest critic reviews. I do not understand that at all. I thought the movie was very enjoyable and a successful sequel in the series.

For anyone who has seen the first Iron Man you can expect much of the same in this movie. Robert Downey Jr. plays Tony Stark like he is meant for the part. He has the same sarcastic wit and self-confidence that is evident in his other movie roles. Gwyeneth Paltrow, as Pepper Potts, has a comes more to the forefront in the sequel. I also personally love that Jon Favreau is the driver for Stark/Potts, and that he gets into the action a little bit. You have to respect the director for that, even though Jon has done plenty of acting himself.

Normally in when they replace someone in a sequel with a different actor/actress I am very upset. However, Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard in Iron Man 2 as War Machine/Lt. Rhodes made me happy. This is similar to what happened with Maggie Gylenhal in the Dark Night.

Samuel L. Jackson playing Nick Fury has a bigger role, and it leads all the viewers into wanting The Avengers movie to come out immediately. Scarlett Johansson also showed up with some impressive stunt work, along with her always gorgeous looks.

All in all it was a well done sequel. The plot is not too convoluted to follow. The new villain, played by Mickey Rourke, is very impressive and fun to watch. The action scenes are all entertaining but they do not completely drive the movie. The only thing that I wished for leaving the theater was a longer final fight scene.

Also, make sure to watch after the credits!! It is short, but worth it.