The time for summer movies has come and “Iron Man 2” sets the bar tremendously high for the next couple of months.
My dad took my brother and me to see Robert Downey Jr.’s repeat appearance as both a narcissist and a ladies’ man in the movie’s opening night in IMAX. Let me just say now, if you weren’t planning on spending the extra six dollars or so, you should reconsider.
Bigger is indeed better.
But, if you find that IMAX isn’t really your style”,Iron Man 2” will still blow your mind in a regular theater .
The only major change in the cast is Tony Stark’s best friend, who is also the superhero War Machine. Terrence Howards, who played James Rhodes or “Rhodey,” is replaced with Don Cheadle.
I was apprehensive to see Cheadle in the army garb instead of Howards, but Cheadle does a great job and fits into the role and the film seamlessly.
Samuel L. Jackson makes a pseudo-repeat appearance as Nick Fury, the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., a government intelligence and espionage agency that handles superhero related problems. I say “pseudo” because Fury shows up after the credits of Iron Man where he persuades Stark to join “The Avenger Initiative.” Jackson is flawless in his hardcore role and can easily go head to head with Downey at his snarkiest.
Fury’s appearance after the credits hinted to a sequel and involvement in future Marvel films. Stark made an appearance in “The Incredible Hulk.” Not to be a spoil-sport, but at the end of “Iron Man 2” and after all of the credits, the third hero mentioned is Thor.
Scarlett Johansson plays the beautiful and intelligent Natalie Rushman, aka Natasha Romanoff, who is a tough undercover spy for S.H.I.E.L.D. and Stark’s assistant.
The other two brand new characters are the villains of the movie. Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke star as Justin Hammer and Ivan Vanko respectively. Hammer is Stark’s weasel of a business rival, even though Stark’s technology surpasses his by at least 20 years. Hammer aids Vanko and provides him with the means to seek revenge.
The work Rourke put into Vanko is remarkable and it shows in his performance. Rourke took the time to learn Russian and to visit a Russian prison. The tattoos that cover Vanko’s body are authentic.
Ivan Vanko, aka Whiplash, is the infamous super villain. Vanko is a Russian physicist and ex-convict who seeks revenge on Stark for the sins of his father. His only companion in the world is a cockatoo, something Rourke added to give Vanko some humanity. Vanko adds new perspective as to the reason why Stark changed the focus of his company.
The plot of “Iron Man 2” contains several different facets. Primarily, Vanko wrecks havoc and tries to kill him. On the other hand, there are Stark’s problems with the Senate trying to force him to turn over his suit. Furthermore, the arc reactor that is keeping him alive is also killing him.
His budding romance with Pepper is pushed to the background, with only subtle hints that they have moved to a somewhat romantic relationship.
The special effects in this movie are as phenomenally done as the acting. The way the suits seem real, even in the midst of a crowd of people with no green screen in sight, is amazing. The graphics definitely represent the advances in technology.
Between the 2011 releases of “Captain America and Thor” and 2012 release of “Ant-Man,” Marvel is leading up to an “Avenger” film. The Avengers are Marvel’s version of DC’s Justice League. This is something that I’m really looking forward to one superhero movie at a time.
I highly suggest that you see it. It has great acting, great special affects, and great explosions. Trust me, you won’t regret it.
Alex Dunn can be reached for comment at [email protected]