Iron Man 2: Favareau Takes it up a notch!

Directed By John Favareau

CAST

Tony Stark: Robert Downey Jr. Pepper Potts:Gwyneth Paltrow

Natalie Rushman/ Natasha Romanof: Scarlet Johansson

James Rhodes/ War Machine:Don Cheadle

Justin Hammer: Sam Rockwell Nick Fury: Samuel L. Jackson

Ivan Vanko: Mickey Rourke

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It’s an obvious statement, but sequels are a dangerous territory; either they can’t live up & it fails, or they ramp it right up and far surpass the original. The first Iron man set the bar pretty high, and for years fans held their collective breath wondering what Favareau would do for an encore. Iron man 2 was a bright spot & a great start to a summer movie season that has this guy less than impressed.

Iron man 2 picks up a few months after Stark admits to the media that he is Iron man. This leaves Tony fighting battles on multiple fronts. He’s got lingering health problems that are taking it’s toll, the U.S. Senate is trying to take his suits to give to the military, a wanna be arms manufacturer is trying to compete with Stark Industries & finally he’s got an angry Russian with a vendetta to settle. Even with all this going on Tony never loses his glib, dry free wheeling sensibility. This provides for a lot of comedic moments.

I thought this film was excellent and surpassed the original. It was a great balance of style and substance. It was a funny, smart, well written and well layered story. It also progressed the Story of Stark in a well timed natural way & also set up for a great third film and Avengers film. While having a great story the special effects and action sequences were top notch & bigger and better than the first. This film even had more eye candy adding Scarlet Johansson to the team (in a very tight and hot out fit).

I enjoy the cast of this film; Downey Jr. was his usual fantastic self, while Cheadle stepped in and portrayed James Rhodes better than Terrance Howard. Mickey Rourke was also superb , from the believable accent to the unhinged scientist demeanor he held his own. ( Perhaps learned a few things from Aronofsky) The cast all gelled together well with both a great sense of chemistry and comedic timing Favareau couldn’t have asked for a better cast.

The only negative thing I can say is that it sucks we have to wait another couple of years for Iron man 3 or the avengers. Whether you’re a comic fan, action junkie or just enjoy Robert Downey Jr. & hot chicks there is something for everyone.