Iron Man Builds Momentum
With a huge popular success and even critical, “Iron Man” returned to service after an even more forceful and dramatic. No doubt too it’s like not enough, but when the laughter is present, it is difficult to resist the temptation.
The world is a safer place thanks to Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), alias Iron Man. His charisma, his eccentricity and unpredictability, however, does not the happiness of all. A rival (Sam Rockwell) tries to copy its technology, a villain (Mickey Rourke) would love to get back at him and even a loyal friend (Don Cheadle) questions his actions. It’s not going much better for the women, while his assistant (Gwyneth Paltrow) is no longer on the same wavelength and that a new employee (Scarlett Johansson) is resistant to its charms. The wealthy playboy will change his behavior if he does not want to be alone … and six feet underground.
There are generally two kinds of superhero movies : someone who is serious in its way of exposing its moral dilemmas (“Watchmen” is a prime example), and he who thinks only entertained by trying to show off the view (in this class, the recent “Kick-Ass” honorably acquitted his task). The first “Iron Man” was the epitome of the second category and continued to operate this new vein. Deriving comedy, director Jon Favreau continues to enhance the killing joke and sarcastic rejoinder with great ease, making this probably the blockbuster feature film the funniest of the year. All the characters handle the irony and they use it extensively.
Unlike “The Dark Knight”, “Spider-Man 2″ or “X-Men 2″, these new adventures are not used to explore a new facet of the hero or develop a more elaborate psychology. In fact, history has no meaning and its cobblestone paths, both patriotic and moralistic propaganda (the whole story with the father) have no other function than increasing the action sequences, quite spectacular. It’s hard not hold your breath at the scene of race in Monaco or at the final battle that evokes both “Avatar” and “Lethal Weapon 4″.
Once the dust settles, there remains almost nothing to counter except the nth result is not surprising that, too wordy in his first game and pretty ridiculous later. If the first version of its tone surprised his incisive and care less chronic replay this again to the letter the same formula, magnifying in the extreme, almost improvising detour cults (the animated discussion between Robert Downey Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson) and others much more doubtful (that reminds a little too loser “Hancock”).
The relaxed interpretation of extremely talented actors bring the added value that is often lacking in accounts of the same gender. As usual, Robert Downey Jr. excels in the skin of the protagonist shifted and he does not ever pay the bidding. At his side, Gwyneth Paltrow seems to be less dull than usual, and Don Cheadle replaces Terrence Howard with conviction was dismissed for money matters. Yet these are the new kids who steal the show. First Scarlett Johansson will fantasize the male audience with his antics (a derivative should be devoted to his character in the near future), Mickey Rourke, who had the potential (unfortunately poorly operated) to embody the most memorable villain since The Joker by the late Heath Ledger, especially Sam Rockwell who recalled that since the underrated “Moon”(and even before), it remains one of the best actors of the moment. These figures do not perhaps have roles to match their talent, except that they carry with happiness and delight of their task.
More entertaining and intelligent, efficient if not really original, “Iron Man 2″ was recalls that Hollywood has already begun, and it starts strong with the expected explosion that will make many happy, provided of course do not worry about the laughable scenario without head or tail. What makes the company a half success or a partial failure. And no need to wait until the end of the credits to see a preview of the next generation of Marvel comics (in this case “Thor”) as this scene is absolutely pointless.
