Like Tony Stark: Mass appeal, but ultimately shallow.

Rating: 6/10 (1 February 2011)

In this highly anticipated sequel to acclaimed pseudo-hero film Iron Man, director Jon Favreau flaunts an all-star cast including Downey Jnr., Rourke, Paltrow, Johansson, Cheadle, Rockwell and Jackson in a part-blockbuster, part-dramedy romp that ultimately delivers what it promises, but isn't without its faults.
We follow the life of Tony Stark, and how he deals with the pressure and responsibilities of being Iron Man, apparently the world's only saviour and the only man who can claim to have 'successfully privatised world peace.' Tony is a troubled superhero, a far cry from the typically one-dimensional characters we're used to seeing in this genre, and on that front, there is some depth to this film. On the flipside, we are introduced to Ivan 'Whiplash' Vanko, the token evil Russian physicist intent on taking down Iron Man for reasons that (unfortunately) are not entirely clear or motive-driven.
Despite this, each main actor in this film delivers at least a satisfactory performance. With each film he stars in, RDJ flirts dangerously with the line of being typecast as the smart-ass anti-hero, and Iron Man 2 is yet another example of that. However, it is obvious he enjoys being Tony Stark and his sharp delivery compliments his excessive flow of off-the-cuff one- liners nicely.
While Paltrow, Johansson, Jackson and Rockwell do just what is expected of them in their respective roles, it is Rourke who makes a thoroughly pleasing turn as Vanko. Although a motive and backstory is all but non-existent in the context of his character, his commitment to the Russian accent and anti-social tendencies of a man who has just spent the last quarter of a century in prison just goes to show that, somewhere between his personal problems and willingness to put down others in the profession, we forgot that Rourke is, simply, a good actor.
This film actually suffers from too much star power in more than a few instances. Favreau is obviously working a multitude of angles here (some significant and some very minor) but it is apparent he hasn't quite mastered the art of ensemble filmmaking. While RDJ gets the screen time he deserves, other characters (including Vanko) just seem to fall by the wayside as the climax approaches, and are all thrown together in the concluding scenes to wrap up the film in a neat little package.
Plot holes appear occasionally from both a scientific and political perspective. Usually, the realism factor in a superhero movie would be a non-issue, but because Favreau goes to such great lengths to recreate our world in its modern context, one cannot help but point out physical and technical impossibilities; the kind likely to make cinema-goers sit back, roll their eyes, and assure their friend that 'there's no way he could have possibly survived that in real life.'
Ultimately, Iron Man 2 does keep the viewer entertained for its duration with adequate performances all round and tight, magnetic pacing, but never advances beyond the level of being a mere stepping stone for The Avengers (2012), and Mr. Stark, instead of being the self-assured individual he was in the original Iron Man, ends up being nothing more than just another piece of the puzzle.
*There's nothing I love more than a bit of feedback, good or bad. So drop me a line on jnatsis@iprimus.com.au and let me know what you thought of my review.*