Glamorizing the concept of 'Privatization of world peace'

Rating: 5/10 (7 May 2010)

This is a 'decent' sequel and enjoyable 'just as a movie' but it lacks the class of Iron man 1.
During the opening credits you get all the flashback needed of the previous version which sets a great tone that this will be a grand sequel as the makers have not completely detached the predecessor form sight. Mickey Rourke's character was especially disappointing as it was supposed to be the main 'bad guy; but so much underplayed that it almost seems like the supporting cast. The way his character started, you almost expected 'The Joker' or 'Darth Vader' like feel of a calculated and mean person looking simply for revenge without any materialistic motives but he never lived up to that expectation due to lack of screen time and, mainly a 'Iron man ONLY' centric theme of the movie.
There was no meaningful purpose for any characters (apart from Mickey which wasn't screen-played well); especially Scarlet Johnson who was a hot bimbo in the first half and an ass kicker in the 2nd . for what she took the assignment.. Couldn't figure that one out. The last undoing was the 'partying scene' of iron man - clothed tony stark who 'entertains' the lady guests with shooting exercise and then suddenly James Rhodes barges in with another iron - man suite to stop him. How the hell did he learn to use it?? In the 1st movie, for the entire 1st half, stark is shown practicing the suite to perfect the usage and flight but this guy learnt it in seconds duh
There was a point when I thought that this will have an epic feel and a great anti-climax. That was when stark is checking his toxicity which goes on increasing. For a moment I thought the makers want to show the 'vulnerable' side of iron man and he is not a super hero after all; but a great inventor who can have bad days as well. That could have given the movie a new dimension, where the attitude and mental strife of a man triumphs at the end; and not the legacy, where just because the guy is Tony Stark, everything is served on the platter to him (even the secret group of Samuel Jackson to the rescue). In almost all face-offs it's easily predictable that Iron Man will win, so that takes out most of the enjoyment from them.
The action sequences are good (only 2 fights – Monaco and the last one and 1 friendly ruckus though!!) but the detailing of the technological finer details in the workshop of stark is great. But the main part missing in the movie is, well... action. The total amount of action in the movie is probably just about the same as shown in the trailers and you actually are left 'searching' for action between comedies in an action movie. The climax action sequence is over just when you feel its started! This leaves a lot of "could have been more" moments hanging by the time the show ends
The movie is made like a great American bash by Uncle Sam and is sometimes funny (actually it felt more of a comedy – action movie than a genuine action flick) and (ONLY) when the action happens, it's looking great 5/10