Iron Man 2

Release Date: May 07, 2010 

Runtime: 2 hr. 4 min. 

Director: Jon Favreau 

Cast: Robert Downey, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Sam Rockwell. 

With the iron power of Robert Downey, Jr. and a heavily anticipated follow-up, “Iron Man 2” takes the coveted spot of being the first of many in this summer’s lineup. Aside from the common flaws of a sequel to a stellar predecessor, this film takes you on a joy ride worth having. If I had to pinpoint what makes this mediocre flick a blockbuster, it’s Robert Downey, Jr.’s aptitude to have fun while engaging the audience with his charm. His blasé attitude, in addition to the surprising chemistry with Gwenyth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts, gives it a sheer entertainment value that can’t be ignored. Mickey Rourke as the villain, on the other hand, comes and goes with a whole lot of muscle but little fighting power. The climax appears rather anticlimactic compared to the other exuberant scenes. The plot mainly suffers from trying to achieve too much at once. As two different stories parallel and more characters are introduced, the sole focus of Iron Man becomes lost and muddled. It’s obvious that the filmmakers are really trying to push the “Avengers” movie with full force, dropping clues that would make any fanboy (or girl) giddy. Wait around for the after-credits Easter Egg though. This is only the beginning of the onslaught of comicbook movies to come. Overall, a nice way to start off the summer race. 

Rating: 3½ stars