They missed the point to some extent, but it works well enough.

Rating: 6/10 (2 May 2010)

Director Favreau missed, I think, the point of the first film. Although not really (unlike what he often suggests) like Nolan's Batman films with regard to realism (for instance, when Batman needs to jump out and, later, back into a plane in Dark Knight, we learn there was a CIA project in the 70's with that goal), the first one gave the impression that its tech was functional by not pushing anything too far. Its sequel does not, going so far as to introduce a new element! And the electromagnet in Stark's chest, it turns out on this one, leaks metal inside of him (for all his genius he couldn't figure out to wrap a plastic bag around the metal).
There is also a party scene which will no doubt appeal to 11-year olds, but which was painful to watch, in which Stark parties, drunk, in his Iron Man suit.
I wish we had gotten more of Stark working in his house (without government interference) by himself, and less of his public persona. They dropped the ball in that regard, because a big part of the appeal of the first film is that even though he was like a kid who keeps himself entertained, he is also incredibly successful professionally, and all-around respected for his great intellect. He got (and deserved) a lot less respect on this one, and that hurt my overall experience. Finally, the senate scene was a little much (yet better than I had thought from the trailer), but they should've toned it down a little.