Ironman 2 (2010)

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Robert Downey Jr, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke, Scarlett (oh dear god – Scarlett!!!!!!!!!)

Yeah. It was pretty cool.

The girlfriend even liked it. “I really liked it!!!!” she said to me with an excited hint in her voice.
Now, the reason why she liked it is simple. It is a simple storyline to follow, with characters that are instantly likeable and special effects and action scenes to blow your mind. It doesn’t matter that people don’t know who War Machine, or Whiplash, or Nick Fury, or Black Widow are, all that matters is that they play their role and add to the excitement.

The first Ironman actually did pretty well to set the scene, lets face it. Robert Downey Jr was the perfect choice for Tony Stark and the movie did well to combine a ‘birth of a hero story’ with a plausible plot line. When I first saw it  I thought it needed a bit more action but maybe I was just being picky.

This second movie starts off semi slow. There seems to be a lot of talking going on and a lot of setting the scene occurring. I was a bit dubious about the movie when all this was happening, but then it got into it.
Oh boy, those digital effects dudes that did this movie must be bloody good at their job. The effects were seamless and even the camera work was good at allowing all the action to unfold without you feeling as if your head was set on a washing machine cycle.

The story is a continuation of the first through and through. It is not a crappy, overated sequel but more of a progression of a larger story entirely. More characters were introduced and they fell into the plot with no worries at all. It was all really good actually. Really good.

Now, the problem I have with these superhero movies, and don’t get me wrong, I am a huge superhero fan (which is probably why I rate this one fairly highly) is the lack of decent and well known villains. I mean, when Ironman first came out, I knew who he was, but most people didn’t (mainly girls). Myself knowing who he was didn’t mean that I knew any of his villains. I still don’t. But what I am finding is that his villains are just different versions of him, all robotic, powered by an ark reactor and all suits to empower a normal human. Most other superhero movies are like this. The Incredible Hulk saw him fighting……. another hulk-like dude.

In fact, the only superhero with any proper villains, is Batman. That is why Batman is sooooo bad ass. But I am starting to talk about DC here and not Marvel. By the way – can you name a Superman villain other than Lex Luthor. Go on. The answer is at the end of the show.

Spiderman does have some good villains.

So yeah, Ironman 2 is good but due to the comic franchise there is a lack of proper villains. Also, and I hate to think this, but Disney’s acquisition of Marvel may put a taint on the Marvel movies. I don’t see Disney allowing and proper killing scenes to occur in any of its movies and you don’t really see any in this movie. Only scenes that hint that the person involved in them may have been killed by that thing, whatever it is.

Oh yeah, and before I forget, check out the hidden references to the upcoming Avengers movie. If you have been hiding under a rock and don’t know about this Avengers movie then wait a little while and I will tell you all about it. Seriously, I will. Just give me time.
So, you will see Captain Americas shield, a news report describing the Hulk smashing up a campus and, if you wait till after credits roll, another scene hinting at another superhero.

Its exciting. I was sitting there wondering if they would show a hidden scene, as they have done with the previous hulk and iron man movies, and they did. Only myself and a few select people that were in the know stayed behind and we were treated.

Good stuff. Go see it.

P.S. Superman villain – Doomsday. Epic battle between Superman and Doomsday that kills the both of them with one almighty punch. This was after Metropolis has been completely destroyed. Then the Matrix ripped that idea off for the final battle between Neo and Agent Smith. Tsk tsk

P.P.S. Scarlett….. Leather suit….. I think that’s all I have to say