I have to start by saying that I was very concerned about Iron Man 2. After loving the original so much, I had to keep my excitement down because sequels rarely live up to the originals. I was pleasantly surprised that Iron Man 2 was a very good film indeed and I can comfortably say that it is as good as the original and in some ways it surpasses the original. *There are some very minor spoilers ahead*
At this point we have to say that director Jon Favreau needs to get a huge pat on the back because he obviously has an intimate relationship with the material and knows how to cast. As an actor himself, he never forgets that performance is key. A key mistake that a lot of comic book (or fantasy/sci-fi films in general) movies make is forgetting that if we don’t connect with the characters, it doesn’t matter about the whizz bang factor, the audience is left cold. Case in point, Transformers 2.
Tony Stark is a complicated character, he is full of demons and, in the comics, addiction issues. Robert Downey, Jr. is perfectly cast and continues to build the Stark character. In this film the substance abuse of the comics is replaced (very well) by a blood toxicity problem created by the very device that is keeping him alive. This sudden ride into mortality gives Downey, Jr. the opportunity to take the character into some deeper, darker places.
The support cast is also excellent. Gwyneth Paltrow, returning as Pepper Potts (Stark’s girl Friday), is given a meatier role in this film as she tries to hold things together as Stark falls apart. I was at first concerned about Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard but he turns out to be much better in the role of James Rhodes. There is a better chemistry between Cheadle and Downey, Jr. and I found it easier to accept Cheadle as the military man, Howard always felt a little soft. The surprise of the film is Scarlet Johansson as Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow). I have always thought that Johansson was hot to look at but I never thought much of her as an actress. Here she gets to play to her strengths, they keep her dialogue to minimum and her physicality to a maximum. She works as the quiet assistant to Stark and as the butt kicking Black Widow.
We also finally get Nick Fury! Samuel L. Jackson’s minor cameo in the post credit sequence at the end of the first film is given meat here and Jackson is obviously having a great time as Nick Fury, making him Shaft with an eyepatch.
As for the villains of the piece, Mickey Rourke continues his steller comeback with another great performance as Ivan Vanko (Whiplash). There is a scene in the film where Stark goes to talk with Vanko and Stark stays in the corner of the room never approaching Vanko, it almost felt as if Rourke’s screen presence was so potent it physically kept Downey, Jr. from approacing him. Sam Rockwell, as Justin Hammer, Stark’s competition in the billionaire weapons manufacturer stakes is perfect, once again proving that he is one of Hollywood’s most under appreciated actors (see Moon, Galaxy Quest, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind or the first Charlie’s Angels movie for further proof of his talents).
Now, I have focused heavily on the actors, because that is really important, but what kind of geek would I be if I didn’t also look at the wow factor? Iron Man 2 rocks when the suit comes on and the explosions start. The visuals are excellent and the battle in the finale is awe inspiring. Who doesn’t love watching men in robot suits fighting killer robots? There is also a scene, at about the half way point, where Rhodes in the Mark II armour fights with Stark in the current Iron Man suit and it doesn’t disappoint. And lastly, when Johansson finally puts on the Black Widow suit and gets to kick some ass, well, I think I geekgasmed just a little.
Iron Man 2 is now in Australian cinemas and is well worth seeing but I do recommend watching Iron Man 1 first as it establishes the characters.
I will be joined by Josh Philpott and Ben O’Brien on this week’s episode of the Geek Actually Podcast (episode 82) for the full reviewing Iron Man 2 and catch next Friday’s The Little Geek Show for Nicholas’ opinions on Iron Man 2.
