I have just finished watching Iron Man 2, last night! And what an awesome fun romp this film is! Not as good as the first one but far better than sequels get.
The story follows a few classic Iron Man stories, such as Armor Wars I & II, the Justin Hammer subplot (from early Bronze Age Iron Man comics), and the sub plot revolving around his old silver centurian armor which made him sick the more he used parts of it; thus continuing to damage his health.
Robert Downey Jr. is once again excellent as Tony Stark/ Iron Man! Don Cheadle is not bad as James Rhodes nor is Mickey Rourke as Whiplash/ Crimson Dynamo! But Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer steals the show! A much better villain than Jeff Bridges’ Obadiah Stane from Iron Man I. Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow was not a big or prominent as everyone was led to believe in the begining hype of the film.
Along with Black Widow, Happy Hogan (played by Jon favreau also Iron Man’s dirrector for both films) is able to show case his boxing talent from the comics and fights along side Black Widow!
The subplot with War Machine was fun! The first encounter is a fight between an as yet unfinished War Machine armor and a drunk Iron Man. The two don’t stay enemies for long and even team up in the end.
There is a fun Captain America reference! As Tony works in his lab, Agent Colson (remember him from the first movie?) walks in and asks, “Do you know what this is?” and he picks up Captain America’s shield. Tony exclaims he’s been looking for that. He takes the shield and then wedges it down to prop up two metal cylinders with it!
Also… Agent Colson has been reassigned to New Mexico. Where it is rumored a good part of Captain America takes place; along with recognizing the shield leaves some to believe that this is yet another set up for the Captain America movie!
The film ends with Iron Man and War Machine fighing a small army of Crimson Dynamo or Titanium Man (Take your pick! Howver Crimson Dynamo was included in the Iron Man 2 toyline!) dronesback to back!
There is a quick Avengers reference as Stark finds a file labled ‘Avengers Initiative’…
The film is fun, entertaining and full of action packed fights that every Iron Man and comic enthusiast would love! It’s no Dark Knight but it comes damn close, better than some of the sequels Marvel has churned out over the years since X-Men 2!