David's Iron Man 2 Review

David Reviews Iron Man 2

Iron Man (2008) was an impromptu party that was made memorable by it’s organizer, Jon Favreau, it’s guests, Robert Downey Jr., Jeff Bridges, Gwyneth Paltrow, and the back and forth between their characters in the film. To that extent, Iron Man 2 (2010) was an overly calculated and marketed effort to replicate the spontaneity created in the first film.

As someone who loved the first film, I was optimistic in the sequel, as it didn’t seem to have much plaguing its production with the exception of replacing Terrence Howard with Don Cheadle in the role of James Rhodes (AKA War Machine). So did this sequel crush my dreams and spit on my childhood the way that X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) and Spider-Man 3 (2007) did? No, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have similar problems with this that I do with those films.

There are too many villains and conflicts for a two hour running time, and even if that wasn’t the case none of the problems Tony faces are tied to a relatable character arc like in the first film. Even though Tony comes out of the first film reverting back to his carefree playboy ways, he’s experienced the collateral damage first hand, and by that films end he has changed the direction of his company away from making weapons. The character arc of the second has Tony facing the responsibility and consequences of his alter-ego.

The trouble is that there doesn’t seem to be any real character arc. Tony faces his challenges, but isn’t ultimately asked to take responsibility for them beyond facing the bad guys toe to iron toe. In place of this characterization we have a sub-lot with Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury from S.H.I.E.L.D. putting in his time to essentially promote the upcoming Avengers (2012) film.

While I appreciate the continuity for future films, the S.H.I.E.L.D. element of the film does more harm than good. Those scenes trip up this movie in service of another that has yet to be filmed. I hope with the hiring of Joss Whedon as director of The Avengers, more thought is being put into character and story arcs and how those will carry on into the whatever sequels come afterward.

Despite plotting and pacing issues, the characters are consistent with the first film. Pepper Pots is beside herself trying to keeping together what Tony tears apart during his self destructive streak, Rhodes struggles to keep his allegiance to his country and remain Tony’s friend, though it’s never an easy task. Actually their bickering makes more than a couple of the action sequences in the film.

Clearly there was someone competent at the helm of both the first film and this one. It seems though that there was a little fighting for control of the wheel some points in production. As long as they don’t have Iron Man going emo in a jazz club, I’ll return for a third installment. Although Robert Downey Jr. could probably make it work…….

Reckless Reviews - David