Iron Man-2 Review

Movie Review :  IRON MAN 2

Iron Man-2

with flying drones

by Charu Satnarine

fnbworld Infotainment Bureaux/Montreal

Release date: May 7/Starring: Robert Downey, Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Samuel L. Jackson, Scarlett Johansson, Kate Mara, Clark Gregg, Olivia Munn
Director: Jon Favreau
Photo: Paramount Pictures / Marvel

 
The best part of this film, hands down, are the special effects, which are nothing short of amazing, breath-stopping and indeed, spectacular.  Explosions, flying/fighting drones - unless you're a die-hard Iron Man/Avengers fan, that would be the only reason to see this movie...that and Robert Downey Jr.  Although, he isn't as funny as in the first film, he still delivers his quick quips in a charismatic, entertaining fashion that even the most non-cinema twits can fathom. 

And, for the most true comic book fans, there were many inside jokes and reveals (fortunately for me, I went with a very patient friend ) who is also a Stan Lee  fan and a movie junkie who kept explaining these bamboozling moments to me! Just make sure that you stay until the end of the credits (like the first movie) to catch major insight into the next chapter.  Besides Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson is a great casting choice as the role of Natalie Rushman/Natasha Romanoff, not for her amazing screen presence alone but the fantastic action sequences and stunts she performed.

With all good things must come some bad, and here they are:  There were too many mini-stories and sub-plots going on at the same time, which left a lot to be desired for the main storyline.  Casting Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko was a good idea in theory - but where was he for half of the movie?  And I think I blinked for the brief moments that Downey and Rourke actually shared screen time. 

Another subject that was briefly touched upon was whether or not Tony Stark and Pepper Potts would finally put their differences aside long enough to get together. Tony Stark also delves deeper into the love/hate relationship with his deceased father as he tries to realize whether or not he was ever a priority. He is helped by Nick Fury, played by Samuel L. Jackson, who is also evaluating his potential to join the Alliance. There were answers to all those questions - and new questions to keep you intrigued enough to want to invest in another sequel - but by the time some of the answers came along - I'd already forgotten the questions!
 
Stars *** on *****