IRON MAN rocked a surprised world a few years ago when it swaggered, bold as brass, on to our cinema screens. Robert Downey Jnr was sensational, Jeff Bridges was brilliant and, it just simply kicked a lot of ass. You may have guessed readers that I am a fan…
Then though came IRON MAN 2 and my response to this film remains the same everytime somebody makes me watch it. It makes me mad. It has ALL the ingredients of a big blockbuster movie and, at times, blends them all perfectly to create the popcorn fodder of comic-book wet-dreams but, if we’re honest with ourselves… I think we wanted more. I did anyway.
There’s a few problems.
1. It’s too damn loud. Every action sequence seems to descend in to a white-washed wall of scraping metal, explosions and shouted dialogue.
2. Is it me or is Tony Stark just repeating the same story he did in the first one… example. He’s overcocky and arrogant- learns to appreciate stuff- changes… it’s the same.
3. TOO MUCH going on here to make the story seem paramount. It feels that Favreau has been in awe of his stars here and let them ad-lib their way through the film-making process. Justin Theroux probably turned in a good script but here it is turned to mush and gobble-de-gook within seconds as the scenes just seem to drift in to self-appreciation and ego-driven actor ad-lib.
Sorry, rant over.
At times though the film is more than entertaining; with Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke playing their roles perfectly and shining all over the work at every given opportunity. The Monaco sequence is well crafted and keeps you on tenterhooks throughout. The final battle is pretty good but lacks a total suckerpunch ending… the love story also feels a little ” stuck on for the ladies”…
The film also stars Scarlett Johansson ( looking hot but thoroughly under-used), Gwyneth Paltrow ( over-used) and Don Cheadle; who replaces Terrence Howard as Rhodes/ War Machine.
My verdict:
Probably worth a purchase for the BLU-RAY alone which contains a huge “making of” documentary, some deleted scenes and other pretty cool content.
BARGAIN ALERT: IRON MAN 2 BLU-RAY CURRENTLY £14.99 IN SAINSBURYS…UK only.
