Iron Man 2 (2010)

Finally the much anticipated sequel to the 2008 Marvel smash. Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark and equally as important, Jon Favreau returns to the director chair. Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts and Don Cheadle takes over for the not so missed Terrence Howard. Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke, and Sam Rockwell add their acclaimed names to this so-so movie.

Justin Theroux adds his screenwriting talents or lack there of to this movie and is the main problem with the film. While many new characters are popping up and lots of different plots happening he forgets to make one story center stage. This movie never sucked me in. We spent so much time showing so many stories that we never focused on the main story that could pull us in and make us feel for real. The acting was good throughout. Robert Downey Jr. brought his normal cocky self to the screen and as normal you enjoy it. Mickey Rourke spits a Russian accent so well that if it was in an Indie drama he'd probably be an Oscar front runner. Cheadle was a lot of fun and Paltrow has what appears to be an easy time supporting this cast. However, this movie was really missing that BIG story.

The original Iron Man had the origin story, I'm not even sure what Iron Man 2 was about. I love when movies don't hold anything back. Give me multiple heroes, give me multiple villains, give me many fight scenes and many scenes of regular dramatic acting, but you gotta have the main story and you gotta have a way to make them all feel like they connect. I did have fun watching them find ways to add in Captain America and Thor, but I hate, and I mean truly hate, when you started subjecting one film to goofy antics just so you can set up another. Tony Stark did not need to have Captain America's shield in his basement. Another common sequel mistake, not everything Tony Stark says needs to be a joke. Yes, he's funny. Yes, we love his cockiness. But it's not the same unless a real down to Earth person in there somewhere. And Mr. Favreau, you don't need to have a bigger role in the movie just because you're directing it. Although, I think you're a fine actor, there was no need for your character at all.

The directing was pretty good, no real complaints besides the fact that you chose to do it with this script. The special effects were well done for the most part. There are many scenes when Whiplash is helping Hammer build his army of drones, these drones look, at best, plastic. I'm not all for CG, but they definitely needed a layer over these guys.

So I didn't love the film and I didn't hate it. It wasn't much worse than the original, but I wouldn't suggest going and spending twenty dollars so you and your girlfriend can go sit through two hours of short films. That's another thing, the original Iron Man, with really only one story happening, was just one minute shorter than this one. Obviously, that's not enough time to get the same effect. You should rent this movie. Mainly because you need to know what happens, so you can watch Iron Man 3, The Avengers and basically every other Marvel film that's going to be released in the next five years.