More than a superhero movie

Rating: 8/10 (25 March 2011)

This is the first time I've ever written a review on a superhero movie. Essentially, it's because I have a hard time regarding movies of this genre to be serious film. However, this is one of the very few times that I can safely say that I've seen a movie that falls under this category that also serves as a genuinely polished work of cinema.
Iron Man 2 is well worth seeing. It has replay value, deals with present-day issues, doesn't take itself too seriously, features exceptional performances, and deals with a very realistic lead character. This last point is the one that really makes or breaks this genre of film for me. Traditionally, I've found that Batman has come the closest to being a believable character, due to his flaws. Tony Stark, however, brings the level of realism to a higher level. He IS the contemporary man: conflicted, fallible, sometimes humerus, sometimes heroic, and (despite what he may believe) in need of the help of others from time to time.
Kudos to the writers: This is a very smooth screenplay. Kudos to the actors: The performances are often subtle and always a joy to watch. Kudos to the VFX crew: There's nothing distracting about the effects. Good estimates on simulated mass and kinetics. Good light-matching. Oh, and kudos to the sound designers: The gunfire is remarkably well-mixed.
If you haven't seen this film, check it out -- even if you don't quite think it's your thing. You'll be glad you did.