LogFAQs > #950275871

GavsEvans123
This film peaks too early. The set-piece scene where Vanko attacks Tony on the race track is the films highlight, giving Vanko a great entrance, and making for an exciting and creative fight sequence, as well as the transforming suitcase. The problem is that this scene is around the 30-minute mark, and the later action scenes dont top it. Vanko doesnt live up to his hype once he gets his own suit at the end either, tossing Tony and Rhodey around for a few seconds before they punk him in one shot.

Tony Stark is as entertaining as he was first time round, yet this film also finds the time to explore his personal issues. The suggestion that he isnt happy and is putting on a show while living as recklessly as possible with the time he has left makes the character more interesting and brings a degree of emotional depth that was absent last time, since he got over being captured by terrorists fairly quickly following his escape. The only thing here that doesnt quite sit right is a drunk Tony being played for laughs, given how his other issues are portrayed.

To be honest, Vanko isnt all that interesting as a villain. He doesnt have much of a personality, and his beef with the Stark name is both one-sided and aimed more at Tonys father, rather than anything Tony himself has done. Perhaps it would have carried more weight if Tony had acknowledged the animosity a little bit, as it might have helped elevate Vanko as a bit more of a threat. Vanko is in the odd position of being a personal villain who isnt seen by his opponent as being personal. His weak showing at the climax also reflects poorly on him in this respect. This could possibly be due to scenes showing Vanko in a sympathetic light being deleted, according to Mickey Rourke. On the other hand, Justin Hammer is great as a love-to-hate smug jerk who cant go five minutes without being passive-aggressive. Hes among the least powerful villains in these films, yet hes easily among the most punchable, but in the best possible way. Can we bring him back when we eventually get a Thunderbolts film please?

Theres one character it would be remiss of me not to mention: the Boord. Boord has faced a lot of heartbreak in its life, being left behind in Moscow when Vanko left for Monaco (Luckily, Vanko Sr had died by then or it would have been sold for vodka money), stuffed in a bag by Hammers goons after being reunited with Vanko, and finally separated for good after Vankos death. I wish this was DC, so that Boord could receive a Red Lantern Ring and become an avian counterpart to Dex-Starr. If another Green Lantern film happens, I hope the other Lantern Corps are included. Maybe even build up to the Black Lanterns and a Blackest Night film? Ooh, yes please

Sheep007
I distinctly remember watching this when I was pretty young, and I think it was the first non-Spiderman Marvel movie I ever watched in the cinema (I was never much into comic books). Unfortunately, it bored the shit out of me at the time (its the only time Ive gone to pee not once but twice in one cinema trip), and good portions of the movie still do the same the action isnt great, the comedy isnt quite there, and I dont care about the villains or find them and their motivations interesting (Im sure you have and will hear that a lot through this list). I still like Tony Stark and his character arc, and I bloody well love Don Cheadle, but thats about all in this film which I appreciate and the first part is more about future movies instead of just this one.

MetalDK
The best of the worst. The commentary of the film being somewhat about what Tony would be like without his friends (Venko) was actually a decent start. But man does it fall flat.

NBIceman
Iron Man 2 has Way too much going on. Tony is dying and doing crazy stuff because of it. Pepper is made CEO and ends up stressed. The government wants Tonys suit. War Machine debuts. Ivan Vanko wants revenge for his dad and also a bird. Justin Hammer is also around. We start to get Avengers involvement as Nick Fury and especially Black Widow show up. The charm of the other two Iron Man movies is almost completely absent here because theres so many other things happening and everyone is angry all the time. RDJ still does a great job for the most part, but he really had his work cut out for him here and it doesnt quite come together.

---

Touch fuzzy. Get fuzzier.
Inviso