Iron Man 2 Review

Is it possible for Marvel to strike gold twice by creating its first superhero sequel? The answer is yes. In my review of its predecessor I gave huge praise on Robert Downey Jr's performance. This movie is no different and solidifies why he is Tony Stark. Throughout the film, Stark shows reckless behavior. It not only puts himself at risk, but everyone around him. However, he has such a sassy and humorous attitude that you don't know if love or hate the guy. In my opinion, that's one of the best qualities any actor can give. The villains, Whiplash & Justin Hammer, are the weak links of the film. Hammer is an annoying adult who cries because he can't compete with Stark and doesn't get his way. Whiplash has cool super tech, but with little character background or development it's hard to care about his intentions on destroying Stark. Also, Stark is his own enemy. The plot, I believe, contains elements from "Demon in a Bottle," one of the more popular Iron Man storylines. Some scenes display Stark's battle with alcoholism and how it affects him. It was these points that help him realize his ignorance and return to the hero-like Stark we all love and appreciate.

Iron Man 2 also marks the debut of two future Avengers: Black Widow & War Machine. As gorgeous as Black Widow is, she is more than looks. Black Widow is displayed as perfectly capable of handling herself. One scene shows Happy fighting one person while Black Widow squares off against a dozen men. Her action scenes reveal her stealth and fighting agility skills. Afterwards, her intelligence is demonstrated as she reconfigures War Machine's systems and locates the locations of enemy bots. War Machine is nothing less than badass. The name suits him very accurately. His suit features heavy gun artillery and has the same beam weaponry as Iron Man. Rhodes is a very loyal friend. He tries his very best to look out for Stark, but knows when enough is enough. In the end, all of his intentions come from a place of good even if it means having to take Stark's armor suit to fight him. Both characters exemplify why they can and show step in the same spotlight as Iron Man.

One last key element to the film's explosive sensation is the inclusion of AC/DC. Songs by the heavy rock band are included in the beginning and end of the film. They let the audience know they are ready to leave them in awe. What better way for Iron Man to make an impact than an awesome rock-inspired enterance in the first few scenes.

Final Score: 8/10

As Marvel's third film, the studio begin to realize there's real potential for a Marvel Universe. They include hints of future Avengers and how Stark fits in the recruitment process. While the film has its moments of dullness, the actions scenes and storyline make up for a thrill ride.