Action-Packed with A Heart

Rating: 8/10 (18 January 2019)

9 May 2010. This is ROBOCOP (1987) on steroids. This movie is action packed with the requisite theater-vibrating sound effects along with a high-thrills and a SPIDERMAN (2002) personal backstory that lends a nice balance to this summer blockbuster. A few weaknesses persist that take this movie down a notch - a rather sedate opening sequence that also leads to a underdeveloped, stereotypical antagonist, and an Ironman lead-in that somehow ends up on stage without revealing any remarkable landing sequence. There's the amazing, but over-the-top sedan scene on the Monaco raceway. The movie has a superb martial arts sequence in the league of BOURNE IDENTITY (2002) much more enthralling than THE DARK KNIGHT'S (2008) fight sequences. This sequel, like SPIDERMAN 2 (2004) extends the personal drama and confronts the lingering father-son relational bitterness (though not even its resolution was perhaps underdeveloped as well). IRON MAN 2 (2010) presents a rather fascinating dynamic of two villains, both well played by Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell (who had an amazing starring role in the relatively obscure movie MOON, 2009). The narcissistic charisma of Ironman and the intimate focus on terminal death issues were well played out in the movie. The climax while explosive, failed to reach the heights of THE DARK KNIGHT (2008) nor the personal intimate and emotional intensity of BOURNE IDENTITY (2002), THE BOURNE SUPREMACY (2004). Interestingly, IRONMAN 2 is able to avoid the crass, overt sexual titillating excuse, though there is plenty of insinuations. Overall, IRONMAN 2 is blockbuster, summer lead-in entertainment that has both the riveting emotional dilemma of a hero and feel-good entertainment.