Iron Man 2 (2010)

The first Iron Man came to us in the summer of 2008 and became a massive hit. It also made Robert Downey Jr a superstar and showed he can do big blockbuster films. When it comes to a sequel to the loved original, perhaps the most we can ask for is that it's just as good as the original. Unfortunately it isn't, but it's still a very enjoyable film.

This time the script is written by Justin Theroux who was recommended to Director John Favreau by Robert Downey Jr. The story once again follows playboy Tony Stark (Downey Jr) who looks like his having the time of his life, but secretly cracks are starting to show from the strain of being Iron Man. Meanwhile in Russia Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) is planning to destroy Tony Stark by creating a similar energy source to Iron Man's and become the villain Whiplash.

As with any sequel, it needs to be bigger and louder. Iron Man 2 doesn't fail to deliver with a ludicrous set-piece at the Grand Prix in Monaco. It also has a more action orientated villain in Whiplash. Rourke plays the role in a more serious tone then the rest of the cast. As sarcastic as Downey's Stark is, Rourke's Vanko is the complete opposite. It's an effective contrast as it makes Whiplash seem more sinister and dangerous. However, although Iron Man is darker then the original it's certainly no Dark Knight. Tony Stark is still out to have fun, focusing more on huge expos and cheerleaders instead of his inner demons. Of course there's nothing wrong with a fun movie, in fact you should embrace the fact that Iron Man 2 is solid entertainment. I just feel it missed a trick by only skimming the service of Tony's story between him and his father. The films climax is also rather disappointing as it feels like a re-run of the first. It would've been much better to have Whiplash out of the suit with just his huge electric whips.

Thankfully the film still has a lot of charisma. Favreau uses Downey Jr perfectly when not in the metal suit. He's quick witted, very likable and you continually want Stark to get with his assistant Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow). Rourke does well as Whiplash but unfortunately spends most of the film in a warehouse which is not where we won't Whiplash to be. We want him causing havoc and threatening the perfect world of Tony Stark. We also have Don Cheadle who replaced Terrence Howard as Tony's best friend Rhodey. Not much has been said on why Terrence left the project apart from some reports claiming he had a fall out with Marvel Studios. It's a shame as Terrence did a great job in the original, but life goes on, and like Steven Soderbergh said 'If you can put Don Cheadle in your movie, then put Don Cheadle in you movie'. Finally we get Scarlett Johannson playing Black Widow and Sam Rockwell who just about steals the show as Justin Hammer. Scarlett does well enough and has a good action scene where she shows off her gymnastic skills. But she seems to have been put there alongside Samuel L Jacksons Nick Fury to advertise 2012's Avengers movie.

It's a shame as this is another downfall for the movie. Iron Man 2 as a whole feels like a big trailer for a film that at the time was still over 2 years away. Throughout the film we get tiny references to the likes of Captain America and Thor which is fine as long as it doesn't take anything away from the hero of the film. Unfortunately it does. This can be confusing for anyone who has seen the original but hasn't got the foggiest about the rest of the Marvel universe.

Iron man 2 is a fun filled action film with good performances from Rourke, Rockwell and Downey Jr. I just can't help but think that Marvel forgot that this is a Iron Man film and not a origin story for the Avengers.