Review – Iron Man 2

Iron Man may be the funniest and wittiest superhero of all time, thanks to Robert Downey, Jr.’s outstanding performance and the film’s direction under Jon Favreau.

Unlike in most superhero films where the character is a caricature, Iron Man is believable in that it takes a bit of narcissism to think one can bring peace to the world by his own actions. Tony Stark, the billionaire behind the suit, has the resources and the intelligence to make things work, and this time he is up against the U.S. Senate. He keeps his wits about him as Justin Hammer (a weapons contractor played by Sam Rockwell) recruits a dangerous Russian, Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), a self-made, poor man’s superhero who also has past history issues with Stark, to outdo Stark and his weapons technology.

While the first Iron Man film was its Batman Begins storyline, this second installation attempts to introduce more nemeses and possible superhero partners. Scarlett Johansson, with a demure, straight-out-of-the-40s look as Natalie Rushman, Stark’s new executive assistant, astonishes the audience when she reverts to her alter ego, Natasha Romanoff (the name itself lends to images of Xenia Onatopp of 007’s collection). As Natasha, she sexily kicks ass with acrobatic martial arts moves in her skintight suit, knocking down scores of bad guys as Stark’s chauffeur (director Jon Favreau) happily exclaims he’s taken down one (his name is also “Happy”).

Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts, Stark’s super efficient personal assistant who keeps him intact until Stark begins to get reckless while hiding a secret from her. Their relationship progresses and it will be interesting to see how it works out should there be an Iron Man 3 in the future. In this feature, Don Cheadle replaces Terrence Howard as Lt. Col. James “Rhodey” Rhodes. While Cheadle is a great actor, Howard’s previous version of Iron Man’s possible sidekick (the “silver” Iron Man) seemed to have more impact in comparison.

There are plenty of hard iron metal-on-metal action in this film as well as computer imagery. Iron Man battles not only Ivan the terribly unkempt and creepy technical genius, he fights his best friend and a mini army of soldier drones (similar to the metal soldiers in Star Wars Episode II). The sound editing is perfectly clunky-cool for all the flying metal and explosions. All the tough show of iron is offset by Stark’s use of computerized technology at the touch of his fingertips (shades of Minority Report). He manipulates digital graphics that seemingly float around him as he talks to the main “guy” Jarvis (voiced by Paul Bettany).

This is not the dark, psychological superhero film like Batman but a fun, entertaining ride with smart, witty Iron Man. The characters are memorably interactive with each other, and the dialogue at times is spontaneously funny. Iron Man’s suit is hard and shiny, yet he’s vulnerable to human weaknesses. Tony Stark remarks that he is Iron Man, but Robert Downey, Jr. is the perfect embodiment of Tony Stark.

Standard screen vs. Imax? That depends on how large an Iron Man you’d like to see onscreen.

Ultra cool moment in the film: Iron man literally suiting up in his suitcase.
Not-so-cool fact: the trailer clip that repeatedly plays on TV showing Iron Man telling Pepper that she completes him – is not featured in the full length feature.

P.S. After the ending credits there is a short clip hinting what’s to come next from Marvel Comics.

Entertainment Weekly Returns to Comic-Con

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY RETURNS TO COMIC-CON 2009 WITH A STAR-STUDDED SERIES OF PANELS, A PHOTO STUDIO, AND AN EXCLUSIVE CELEBRATION WITH SYFY

James Cameron, Peter Jackson, Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Zoe Saldana To Participate in Entertainment Weekly Panel Series

Entertainment Weekly Publishes 2nd Annual Comic-Con Preview Package, Starring Iron Man 2 on the Cover, and with Exclusive First Looks at the Most Highly Anticipated Movies and TV Shows

NEW YORK ( July 16, 2009 ) – Entertainment Weekly is preparing to invade Comic-Con for the third consecutive year with a fully loaded arsenal: three high-caliber panels, a photo and digital studio, and an exclusive event co-hosted by Syfy. In addition, Entertainment Weekly is publishing its second annual Comic-Con preview package jam-packed with exclusive first looks at some of the most highly anticipated TV shows and movies including Iron Man 2, which will be featured on the cover of this special issue. In the latest installment of Iron Man (the franchise that blasted Robert Downey Jr. back to stardom), the superhero returns to the big screen to battle new villain Mickey Rourke and to size up Scarlett Johansson, and hopes to prove the first time wasn’t a fluke. Link to full story on EW.com.

Entertainment Weekly’s three Comic-Con panels will bring together some of the best and brightest creators in television and movies to discuss the work that’s being done in their respective fields. Footage from each of these panels will be available by July 26 on EW.com. The first of these panels will be “Wonder Women: Female Power Icons in Pop Culture,” moderated by Entertainment Weekly editor-at-large Ben Svetkey. It will feature a discussion with Sigourney Weaver (Avatar), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost, V), and Zoe Saldana (Avatar, Star Trek) about the actresses who have redefined the rules, and the female characters who have shattered the glass ceiling for all women. This panel will take place at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, July 23.

Next up, Entertainment Weekly executive editor Jeff Giles will moderate an in-depth discussion with iconic filmmakers James Cameron (Avatar) and Peter Jackson (producer of District 9) on the future of film, the art of film narrative and how technology and global culture will alter the art of on-screen storytelling in the next 20 years. This panel will be at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 24.

To close out the series, Entertainment Weekly senior writers, hosts of EW.com’s Totally Lost, and resident Lost experts Jeffrey “Doc” Jensen and Dan Snierson will prep Lost fans for the final season of the show with their sharp insights and bold theories. There may be a few surprises as well. This panel will take place at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 25.

For the third year in a row, Entertainment Weekly and Syfy will partner to celebrate all things pop culture at Comic-Con 2009 with an exclusive event. Hollywood and the genre’s most elite will enjoy music, food, and cocktails while entertainment luminaries enjoy views of downtown San Diego . This event is invitation-only.

In addition to these events, Entertainment Weekly’s second annual Comic-Con issue will be packed full of first looks at highly anticipated movies such as Sherlock Holmes, District 9, 2012 and 9, as well as exclusives from upcoming TV shows including Vampire Diaries, Flashforward, V and Stargate Universe. Plus: An exclusive first look at the new Twilight graphic novel. Five thousand complimentary copies of this special issue will be handed out to Comic-Con visitors and fans who stop by the Marvel Studios booth celebrating Iron Man 2. Guests at the Hard Rock Hotel San Diego and the Hotel Solamar will also receive copies of EW’s special Comic-Con 2009 issue.

EW.com continues to be THE destination for Comic-Con coverage in 2009 with breaking news and regular updates from the convention floor via our award-winning PopWatch blog (EW.com/PopWatch) and Twitter stream (@EWPopWatch). Plus, we’ve got exclusive video interviews, first looks, and image galleries from the EW Photo Studio at the Hard Rock Hotel in San Diego . This year, the site will also take viewers inside Entertainment Weekly’s own high-profile conversations with exclusive video of Peter Jackson, James Cameron, Sigourney Weaver, Elizabeth Mitchell (“Lost,” “V”), and more. Finally, as ABC’s “Lost” celebrates its last year at Comic-Con, fan favorite Jeff “Doc” Jensen (@EWDocJensen on Twitter) presents exclusive video interviews with the cast and producers, as well as footage from his highly-anticipated “Totally Lost” panel.