Great Sequel...but?

Rating: 9/10 (8 May 2010)

First let me say that i truly enjoyed the movie. Sequels are tough because we all develop our own unique expectations based on the original. As a sequel, this is a home run. As a first movie, it would be a bit disappointing. Why?
First...as a sequel. Great humor and humanity from RDJ. Don Cheadle is excellent while Mickey and Sam Rockwell make great antagonists. Action scenes are well done. Although, I would have liked to see more fight scenes. The leading ladies are OK. Character development is well done and the tie to future movies is fun and loose enough to give latitude for additional movies.
As a stand alone movie, it is a bit disjointed and would not have created the din that arose from the original.
I have friends who blasted the movie (6 out of 10). I disagree. It is a fun couple of hours with engaging twists and turns. GO SEE IT! You'll be glad you did.