While there are those who claim Iron Man 2 and its predecessor are “typical superhero movies,” there’s more than one reason they are blockbusters. For the few who need an extra push to indulge in playboy-genius-hero-thrillers, here it is:
Iron Man 2 blasts back into the story of Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) six months after the press event where he reveals: “I am Iron Man.” He is reveling in the light of his newly opened Stark Expo while still assuring meddlesome government officials that he has patented world peace. “Pepper” Potts, Stark’s trusty assistant, increasingly worries about the actions and consequences of Stark’s carefree public persona, who alternates with a retreating, private Stark. Stark has avoided informing her that the palladium reactor keeping him alive is also poisoning him.
In Moscow, the former partner of the late Stark (Tony’s father) dies, entrusting his son Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) with the reactor technology the two developed. Stark’s entrepreneurial competitor, Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), backs Vanko’s technological prowess as he delivers nemesis to the Starks who betrayed his father.
Lt. Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) puts in a convincing show of loyalty torn between personal friendship with Stark and duty to the armed forces. Sizzling redhead Natalie Rushman (Scarlett Johansson) complements the thrill of explosive special effects with mixed martial arts action sequences in her role as a sophisticated undercover S.H.I.E.L.D. agent.
The chemistry (or physics) between Stark and Pepper develops, and the mysterious S.H.I.E.L.D. organization makes an untactful interjection to drive the plot, presumably into the next Iron Man film.
Colorful witticisms and science-defying futuristic mechanical innovations abound for non-action movie fans. The lightheartedly satirical overtones on the level of intellect in the U.S. government, bang-for-buck ratio of military (deficit) spending, narcissistic stars, and the global arms race are refreshing.
