Not as great as the first but still outstanding

Rating: 8/10 (12 June 2010)

PROS
I loved the pacing, editing, cinematography, musical score, and all the other technical aspects of the storytelling.
All of the actors were top-notch. While, I think Terrence Howard looks more like Rhodey than Don Cheadle, Don was better at acting the part. My GF, pointed out well for me. They both played various aspects of the character perfectly, and if you could combine the two performances, you'd get the perfect Rhodes. Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko was GREAT! This movie combined elements of Whiplash and Crimson Dynamo into one villain. And I was so glad to see them do it well. Especially the Dynamo suit Rourke wears.
The other actors/actresses did as well as they did in the first movie. RDJ was perfect yet again, but more-so. Dealing with his "illness" and his alcoholism, and semi-depression. And all the stuff with his father. They beefed up Fury's involvement, which was very cool, and necessary to the plot this time.
The character interactions, the action, the dialogue, the comedic timing of the humor was all top-notch.
AND THE ENDING! Stay for after the credits!! I was so happy! It was the perfect set-up for future entries in the Marvel Movie Universe.
CONS
Scarlett Johansson LOOKED the part. But she was way too "nice", and not hard-edged enough for her role, and I understand that it's PG-13, but she NEVER USED HER GUNS. And NO ACCENT. Come on folks.. she's Russian. Mickey Rourke affected an accent and learned to speak some Russian, and INSISTED on speaking Russian during the movie. COME ON!
Justin Hammer was written wrong. He was funny, and offered great entertainment. But he's supposed to a sort of secret underworld crime-boss and a devious evil mastermind, of sorts. Not a fidgety, goofy bad-guy wannabe that gets caught.
The final battle was over way too Fast! It was easily one of the shortest face-offs I've ever seen in a movie. His attack drones got a longer fight than him! WTF!?
CONCLUSION
I LOVED everything else about this movie, except for the few complaints I listed. But because I had complaints, I can't give it a perfect score. Still, one of the very best comic book movie adaptations to date. And one of the best movies I've seen, in its own right as well.
Great stuff! Overall, I'd have to give it a 9 out of 10. Not perfect, but damn close.