Iron Man 2
Over the top but well worth it. - Aine
I've said this before, I'm a fan of superhero movies and I loved the first Ironman installation back in 2008, so I was fine and excited going to see this. While as with most other offerings, the original is best, this is a fine sequel and doesn't feel the 2 hours running time that it is.
The plot on the surface is simple – Ironman v Russian baddie. It is I suppose simple but then again it's not so simple either. There's the greed aspect of department of defence contractors, crooked senators and nearly the demon of the whole piece is Stark's own health – the device keeping him alive is also killing him and he's fighting a losing battle. Some parts are a little too good to be true and are a very stupid leap of faith even for a super hero movie like this.
The opening sequences are done very well, Tony Stark outing himself as Ironman is the sound track to a man dying in Moscow. Some juxtaposition but it lays open the plot nicely. We're introduced here to Rourke's character (who looks very like he did in the boxer minus the bleach but with extra tattoos) and all of a sudden we know what he's up to. That whole story line is teased out nicely through the film, Vanko's family background interweaves with Starks well, maybe something which could be explored more but it does not need to.
Downey Jr steals the show, not surprisingly. His arrogance as Stark you feel is real, a proud showman. It's just brilliant. He is smart and charming and a pain in the neck all at the same time and you just love him for it. Under this mask though he is suffering and he allows that to be seen too. For all Stark's bravado he is in trouble with his health and looks like he's only days to live. Obviously this sends him over the edge and probably makes him a bigger twat to everyone around him.
A word also for the supporting cast – Jon Favreau brings likable dorkiness, awkward amusement at slightly inopportune times. Much has also been made about Paltrow and Johansson feud some supposed feud but they interact well on screen and to be honest, they're bit parts at best. I can see the attraction in giving Johansson some sort of spin off, her character is brilliant. Smart, strong and takes no prisoners.
Extended cameo by Samuel L Jackson – line of the film being “I'm the realest person you're ever going to meet!” opens tantalising possibilities of the franchise branching out in some other directions with the Avenger initiative also appeal.
Sam Rockwell also does well as the unlike-able Justin Hammer. To me there were shades of a creepy Tom Cruise about him. You just dislike the character straight off and everything that he does.
In short, I'd recommend this no problem, a good way to spend a couple of hours that are not too taxing. The effects which I should have mentioned are excellent, while we know they must be CGI they're done extremely well and look like they could be happening.
Review published on the 06 May 2010 13:54
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very entertaining - Sarah
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18 June 2011 15:56
Pleasantly Surprised - Dave
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i loved iron man 1 - chell3
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16 July 2010 18:42
brilliant - rkeane1614
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05 July 2010 13:56
Loved It - clairenln
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05 July 2010 12:38
Solid sequel - Keith C
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23 June 2010 17:19
a good sequel - S8rah
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23 June 2010 09:26
Very good. - lightyagamixxx
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12 June 2010 17:03
Iron Man 2, great Watch if you already watched the first one - jellab
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07 June 2010 16:28
Excelent Better than the First Film - jennith
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27 May 2010 08:45
Much Improved - musicfan
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24 May 2010 14:51
Could have been brilliant, but didn't do it, still worth a watch though! - aoiferoche83
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17 May 2010 11:28
As good as Star Wars 1,2,3 - tjake13
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16 May 2010 23:50
I got totally lost at one point - LindaHayden
In their bid to make it bigger and better they lost it completely. The plot was paper thin with no character development for the many characters there were. it was never completely clear who people... MORE
16 May 2010 18:03
not bad - bealbocht
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14 May 2010 18:22
aweful - Jim Buckley Barrett
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14 May 2010 14:19
WAY BETTER THAN THE FIRST!! - cloe
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13 May 2010 16:25
action packed man flick - yerpu
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12 May 2010 22:48
Fail - Renee
The movie lacked action (seemed to be more about his relationship). I was bored. Just my opinion and that of my spouses. MORE
12 May 2010 18:58
Enjoyable but Forgetable - Marty G
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12 May 2010 11:45
iron man i hope to see - kaykay123
I hope iron man two will be better then the other iron man. I thought Iron man 1 was weaker than what this one is going to be. MORE
12 May 2010 02:08
Directed @ same ole same old - cocoa-licious
@ same ole same ole stop worrying about ppl grammer and just write your review you dont know if thats a child writing or not. stop being such an A hole you loser. MORE
12 May 2010 00:10
worst film ever!!!!!!! - gore1234_
This film has to be the worst piece of film making I have ever seen. Jon Favreau should be taken out the back and shot. Were do i start. Firstly this is not an action movie. There is less talking in... MORE
11 May 2010 20:58
It was a pretty good movie, not better than the first..... - mbabers
@ Sarah louise You were criticizing someone for their grammar and you failed miserably on your attempt to spell grammar correctly. GRAMMAR not GRAMMER! MORE
10 May 2010 16:28
Just another action movie - joeyog
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09 May 2010 21:31
Downey Junior shines as Iron Man - Ronan Conlon
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08 May 2010 09:35
loved this film go and see for yourself. - wawa
well done to the all actors and actess brilliant film will see it again this week. MORE
07 May 2010 19:09
Robert Downey Junior lights up the screen as Iron Man - Ronan Conlon
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07 May 2010 08:38
Does double the action mean double the film? - Keith R
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06 May 2010 23:46
Far to silly unless you're under 14 - sr
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06 May 2010 15:17
Iron Man 2 the sequel that nearly was - tiggsbounce1
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05 May 2010 16:12
What a follow up.. - seamyfox
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05 May 2010 11:08
Ticks all the boxes but lacks punch! - Slick
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04 May 2010 22:08
loved it - Andrea B
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04 May 2010 13:19
Ok but not a patch on the first one - Eve
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04 May 2010 09:55
The difference between this and Iron Man? The number 2 - simonconnolly
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04 May 2010 02:29
Iron Man 2, this film saddens me - Videok1d
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03 May 2010 01:11
Disapointed - Keithmc
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02 May 2010 23:39
What a pity. - noel
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02 May 2010 16:20
you Have to see it - Youngned
Well made movie with plenty of action and laughs. Has to be seen on the big screen. Stay after the end credits too :-) MORE
01 May 2010 10:52
brilliant movie a must see. - richardregan24
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30 April 2010 20:38
jebus - lololol
jebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebusjebus.. MORE
30 April 2010 11:42
Two enthusiastic thumbs up - Dublinlass
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30 April 2010 08:16
Good enough but didn't we see the same a few years back? - Cyberx_94
Iron man 2. Iron Man 2 is an action superhero film based on the Marvel comics character . It is as you might expect a follow up to its predecessor . Robert Downey Jr reprises his role as Tony... MORE
29 April 2010 23:21
Best action movie of the year! - BOS 99
Robert Downey.Jr is back as Tony Stark in the sequel to the first Iron Man movie. Downey.Jr is back as the great Iron Man,and puts in an extremely good performance in the sequel to the 2008 film. ... MORE
29 April 2010 20:30
Heh - Dave O
@ Same old Same old; Whatever you opinions of the first, most likely will prevail for part 2 - 2xensemble It's spelled "grammar"...... MORE
17 February 2010 08:50
Same old Same old; Whatever you opinions of the first, most likely will prevail for part 2 - 2xensemble
@ ----> "agree - sarah-louise" Jesus Christ! Can you please learn how to spell or use basic grammer before writing a review... seriously how can you publish this...??? Whatever your opinions of the... MORE
14 February 2010 12:15
agree - sarah-louise
i think that iron man is the best film. the first one was amazon and i no that this one will to. if ur into the hole fit Iron man the genius then come here i tellin u now u wont be dissapointed! the... MORE
06 February 2010 02:28
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