Iron Man 2

In Iron Man 2, Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as the billionaire genius Tony Stark and brings a human touch to the man made of iron. When we last saw Tony he was standing at a podium at a press conference and admitted to the world he is Iron Man; he has been busy between that confession and where the movie picks up. He has just kicked off the year long Stark Expo in New York where scientists and other companies can present their new ideas to help further technology. Tony has also been subpoenaed to testify in front of Congress where Senator Stern, played by Gary Shandling, wants the Iron Man weapon turned over to the United States military. One of Stark Industries main competitors lead by Justin Hammer, a Tony Stark wannabe played by Sam Rockwell, is trying to derail Tony in creating his own version of the Iron Man suit for the government. Stark is also pondering his mortality as the palladium used in his arc reactor is slowly starting to poison him. The biggest complication of all is Ivan Vanko played by Mickey Rourke. After his father helped Howard Stark create the blueprints for the arc reactor, he was deported to Siberia accused of being a Russian spy. On his father’s death bed, Vanko swears revenge on Tony Stark for destroying his family. When Hammer and Vanko team up to topple Stark Industries and Iron Man, a deadly and impressive war of technology is waged putting Iron Man to the test once again.

Some of the main characteristics that make Stark different from other superheroes is his mega ego, narcissism, and unhidden identity. After helping the world reach the longest time period of peace, the perks of being Iron Man go straight to Stark’s head. He wasn’t exactly a humble guy to begin with and with all of his grandstanding he is just begging for someone to knock Iron Man down a notch or two. The role of the villain is expertly played by Mickey Rourke and no one would ever want to cross the tattooed covered cockatoo loving physicist and his version of an arc reactor driven power suit. The battle scenes between Downey and Rourke are very impressive and satisfying. Don Cheadle takes over the role of Lt. Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes. He slips perfectly into the role previously held by Terrence Howard and is wonderful as the sidekick/conscience to Stark’s egocentric and chauvinistic party boy. Scarlett Johansson is quite striking as the secret SHEILD agent Natalie Rushman/ Natasha Romanoff who is sent to keep an eye on Stark. Gwyneth Paltrow reprises her role as Pepper Potts who finds herself torn between her love for Tony and her new job as CEO of Stark Industries.

Iron Man 2 does not have them same fresh feeling that made the first movie such a hit, but it is a superb sequel to the first. Iron Man is not the shiny new toy anymore, but a flawed character that has his own personal demons to fight. The more human side to Iron Man is brought to light by Downey who personifies the flawed hero trying to reconcile the little boy in him who did not feel loved by his father and the superhero with which the world has developed a love/hate relationship. Iron Man 2 may not have tons of action like the first, but it does thoroughly address the extremely essential plot in the development of all the characters and a pre-cursor to the long awaited Avenger Initiative. Be sure to stick around to listen to and watch the end of the credits for a special tidbit from the past eluding to the future and a teaser for the next Marvel comic book hero to be brought to the big screen. Iron Man 2 will leave all true fans begging for the next chapter.