A more character driven Iron Man

Rating: 7/10 (26 May 2010)

I enjoyed the first "Iron Man" because it was just a great action flick with interesting plot and characters. This "Iron Man" is very much like "Spiderman 2" (though better) in that the film focuses on the main character and his problems, as well as his flaws.
Tony Stark is still egotistical, selfish, and loves hitting the booze, but he faces worse challenges than before. Though unofficially bringing world peace, power hungry senators and his competitor, a weapons man whose way over his head wants Stark's technology. A crazed Russian wants to kill Stark for he claims that his family was responsible for ruining his. On top of that, the power circuit, or whatever you call it, he uses to keep himself alive is intoxicating his blood, killing him.
Needless to say, Stark is under a lot of pressure and is in a midlife crisis. Rather a near death crisis. This film shows us a darker and weaker side to the main character, which humanizes him from the invulnerable, stereotypical super hero. In addition, more of Stark's past as well his father's past is revealed in this film, which opens some skeletons in the closet, as well as making the film all the more interesting.
The movie also contains some thoroughly decent roles from all the actors. Robert Downey Jr. once again illuminates as Tony Stark. Gwyneth Paltrow brings some comic relief to the table as Pepper Potts. Scarlett Johansen shines with beauty and fierceness as the Black Widow. Sam Rockwell makes up as the annoying, whiny little pipsqueak Justin Hammer, in which we all love to shut up. Mickey Rourke is perfect as Ivan Vanko, with his tattoos and wicked grin. Even Don Cheadle as Terrence Howard's replacement of Colonel Rhodes wasn't a bad pick (though I do prefer Howard in the role).
As I mentioned earlier, there's a unique story and secrets are revealed about Tony Stark. There isn't as much as action as there was in the first film, but that isn't a negative. I will add that the effects have seemed to improve from the previous film. How so? I don't know. I thought the first one was impeccable in that department, but this almost makes it seamless, blending into the film perfectly. It's almost hard to know what's CGI and what isn't. Though I enjoy this film, it's not the greatest thing I have seen. Unfortunately the movie drags, particularly in the middle section of the film. A couple of times I had to look at my watch, wondering when the film was going to wrap up. Overall though, it's something you viewers who love superhero films shouldn't miss.
*** out of ****