Iron Man 2 Review: A Bold Marvel Sequel

Introduction (Warning Contains Spoilers)

With an extended version of Avengers: Endgame arriving in cinemas this September, Marvel is once again dominating the conversation.

Avengers: Doomsday is also scheduled to arrive in December, making this an ideal time for an MCU rewatch.

We have decided to revisit the Marvel films in chronological order.

Our journey now continues with Iron Man 2. Released in 2010, Iron Man 2 followed the enormous success of the original Iron Man.

Jon Favreau returned to direct the sequel, with Justin Theroux writing the screenplay.

Robert Downey Jr. once again leads the cast as billionaire inventor Tony Stark. Gwyneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts, while Don Cheadle takes over the role of James Rhodes.

The cast also includes Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Samuel L. Jackson.

The sequel begins with Tony Stark enjoying the fame that comes from being Iron Man.

However, his new celebrity status brings several problems. The U.S. Government needs the technology in his suit.

However, Tony will not give up the technology, citing the fact that Iron Man has been successfully securing the world.

On top of all his problems, he learns that the technology that is sustaining him is slowly killing him.

His problems are made even more difficult by the arrival of Ivan Vanko.

Vanko possesses superior technology himself, along with a grudge against the Stark family. So, the movie provides Tony with multiple problems.

They include his poor health, political pressure, as well as new and dangerous enemies. Tony also needs to deal with his behavior.

All of this provides a great basis for a sequel.

Iron Man 2, however, has gained some controversial fame since its creation.

It is viewed by some people as an important addition to the MCU. Others believe it tries to introduce too many characters and storylines.

So, does the film deserve its reputation as one of Marvel’s weaker early entries? Or is there more to Iron Man 2 than first impressions suggest?

Direction

Jon Favreau returned to direct after successfully establishing the MCU with Iron Man. This brings in some continuity in the film, which is necessary for the sequel.

Jon Favreau already knows Tony Stark and the style of the first film. It shows in all parts of the film.

The sequel maintains the humor, enthusiasm and personality that were present in the first film. But Jon Favreau now has to deal with a more complex plot in the second film.

It is also where a few other significant characters are introduced. The character Black Widow is introduced into the MCU in this movie.

There is a bigger role played by Nick Fury. Rhodes is introduced as War Machine.

The storyline also sets the foundation for the future Avengers movies. It sets up quite a tricky balance.

For Favreau, it becomes quite challenging as he needs to develop both the present and future storylines.

All the best scenes revolve around Tony. The acting prowess of Downey adds life and personality to the scenes.

Another aspect of the movie is Tony’s increasing health issues. It provides an intriguing backdrop to the storyline.

Tony understands the fact that the technology which sustains him is killing him too.

There is an interesting conflict in Tony’s actions. He should have been scared about his fate. But instead, Tony acts arrogantly and carelessly.

Humour is also used by the movie to avoid the narrative getting too dark.

Some of the humour in the movie is quite effective. Interactions between Tony and Pepper are very funny.

There are also some good instances of humour between Tony and Happy. Sometimes however, humour arrives in the wrong places.

The shift from serious parts to humour comes too quickly. This undermines the emotional impact of some scenes.

Action is yet another element of the movie that Favreau handles reasonably well.

The Monaco scene continues to be one of the best scenes of the movie. The introduction of Whiplash brings a visual threat right from the beginning.

The scene also provides Tony with a physical problem and not just a conversation. The final fight scene is not as good.

There are a number of machines and characters fighting at the same time. It is energetic, but it is a bit messy.

The director certainly has his strong points. He knows his characters. However, the film’s larger ambitions sometimes overwhelm its central story.

Cinematography

Again Matthew Libatique takes up the role of cinematography in the sequel. He continues to keep the visual approach of the first film.

The film again goes on to merge the realistic locations with modern technology. This makes sure that Iron Man remains true to an existing reality.

The visual approach of the film also broadens. More locations, more suits and bigger action scenes can be seen in the film.

The Monaco Grand Prix scene works wonders visually.

The bright setting is in contrast to the dark technology of Whiplash. The scene also ensures that the armor becomes real.

There is a feeling of speed created due to the movement of the camera.

It makes sure that this scene becomes one of the most memorable in the film. The film also makes use of the workshop of Tony.

Tony’s laboratory symbolizes his creativity and passion for technology. The camera moves around in the room as Tony conducts his experiments.

It emphasizes the notion that Tony thinks through invention. Cinematography also adds to the distinction between Tony Stark and Ivan Vanko.

Technology designed by Tony is elegant. Technology owned by Vanko appears rugged and industrial in the beginning.

It visually captures the essence of their personalities. Lighting is also used very effectively in the movie.

Places inhabited by Tony Stark are elegant. Places where Vanko operates seem more industrial. These are what make up the different sides of the story.

However, the film is not always as visually fresh as the original. Some parts just seem like ordinary big-budget filmmaking.

The bigger action sequences also depend a lot on computer graphics. Sometimes, this makes the film less down-to-earth than the first film.

Yet despite that, Libatique keeps a consistent visual style throughout the film. The film still feels like the same world.

The cinematography also helps show how the technology of Tony becomes bigger. Overall, it is effective rather than revolutionary.

Visual Effects

The visual effects in Iron Man 2 represent an obvious step forward from the first film.

There are more suits, more characters, and definitely more action. Tony’s armour is now more advanced than ever before.

Also, there are new characters like War Machine and Whiplash in the film. They need some digital effects to look their best.

Digital effects in Iron Man 2 seem especially impressive when it comes to working with the physical surroundings.

A perfect example of such a scene can be found in the Monaco scenes. One can easily see that the armor is heavy and mechanical.

Whiplash’s energy whips provide an interesting visual effect. They make Ivan Vanko look different from Tony in combat.

War Machine provides yet another interesting visual effect. Heavier armor provides a strong contrast to the sleeker suits of Tony.

The effects succeed in making this difference clear. The movie also relies on CGI to enhance Tony’s technology.

The sequences at the workshop are loaded with digital interfaces and holographic displays.

This helps to set up Tony Stark as an inventor working decades ahead of the current technology.

Nevertheless, this movie relies a lot on CGI towards its final sequence.

The final fight features several figures dressed in armours as well as drones. This makes the sequence very visually dense.

There are just too many digital elements which may be hard to track. Additionally, some of the effects have aged.

Modern audiences have become used to more advanced digital effects. Some shots, therefore, do not look very realistic anymore.

Nevertheless, the practical elements are still useful for this film. The suits and other practical props provide actors with something real to interact with.

It helps to keep the connection with reality.

Therefore, the balance between CGI and practical filmmaking techniques is uneven. The effects are good enough.

Nevertheless, the film does use the digital spectacle sometimes just because it can. The best visual effects complement the characters and the technology.

The weakest visual effects make the film seem like computer-generated action scenes.

The visual effects of the movie are still impressive for that time. The effects complement the visual universe created by the previous film.

Themes and Storyline

The central theme of Iron Man 2 is legacy. Tony is facing the repercussions of his family’s past.

According to Ivan Vanko, the Stark family was responsible for destroying his father.

It creates a personal link between the protagonist and antagonist. Furthermore, Tony is also facing his own legacy.

The weapons manufacturer has caused immense destruction. As a result, the government wants the Iron Man technology to belong to the United States.

Tony is totally against it.

This conflict raises interesting questions about ownership and responsibility. According to Tony, only he himself could handle the technology safely.

That is too risky for the government.

None of the two parties comes across as completely right. It adds some valuable complexity to the plot.

Mortality is another important theme in the movie. Tony is aware that the technology helping him stay alive will eventually kill him.

It is supposed to make him reflect on his life. On the contrary, Tony just gets more and more reckless. He drinks heavily and behaves irresponsibly.

This is due to the fact that he thinks that time is running out for him. Therefore, there is some kind of emotional basis for such behavior.

Tony fears dying and simply doesn’t know how to cope with it.

The plot of the film also touches on Tony’s relations with his father. The father, Howard Stark, appears in tapes and memories.

Tony’s feelings towards his dad are quite complex. He thinks Howard has never really valued him.

However, he later finds out that Howard has left him something valuable. This particular thing turns out to be quite essential for Tony’s survival.

Thus, the plot establishes a link between Tony’s life and his dad’s past. This is the most brilliant concept of the movie.

However, the plot aims to work on too many concepts at once.

Vanko wants revenge. Justin Hammer wants Tony’s technology. The government wants to take control of the suit. Tony Stark is dying.

Black Widow is checking Tony. Nick Fury is creating the Avengers. Rhodey becomes War Machine.

There are so many story lines within one movie. This is the major issue with Iron Man 2. The individual story lines are not necessarily bad.

They are simply too numerous for attention. Vanko is especially fascinating.

Nevertheless, he does not get much character development. Mickey Rourke makes Ivan Vanko threatening.

The screenplay fails to make him sufficiently complex.

Sam Rockwell’s Justin Hammer is much more fun. Hammer poses another kind of threat. He is ambitious and desperate to compete with Tony.

Rockwell gives the character plenty of energy. However, Hammer’s story sometimes feels disconnected from the central narrative.

The film therefore contains several good ideas. It simply does not always connect them effectively.

Performances

Robert Downey Jr. still remains the best thing about this film. His portrayal of Tony Stark is very charismatic.

Downey perfectly portrays Tony’s arrogance without making him a completely unsympathetic character.

Moreover, Downey perfectly shows vulnerability of the character. Tony’s deteriorating health conditions become an additional dramatic element for Downey.

One can see fear behind Downey’s charisma in Tony’s character. The scenes with Howard Stark are especially powerful.

Downey perfectly convinces the audience in Tony’s complicated feelings.

Gwyneth Paltrow reprises the role of Pepper Potts. This time around, Pepper has a lot more on her plate.

She is in charge of Stark Industries. In the movie, Paltrow portrays Pepper as powerful yet still has chemistry with Downey.

Their dynamic is one of the highlights of this film.

Don Cheadle takes over the role of James Rhodes, previously played by Terrence Howard in the previous movie.

He brings a different energy to the character. Cheadle’s Rhodey is more controlled and serious than Tony.

He brings a different energy to the character. The introduction of War Machine also gives Cheadle greater involvement.

Scarlett Johansson presents Black Widow as confident and highly capable.

The character does not receive much development here. However, Johansson makes an immediate impression.

There are some fun moments with her and Tony Stark. She also has action sequences that show the audiences her abilities and what she is capable of.

Johansson handles all these sides to the character well and leaves the audiences wanting more.

Samuel L. Jackson returns as Nick Fury. His role is larger than in the first film. Jackson brings authority to Fury. He also adds a bit of humour.

In scenes with Tony Stark, you get the feeling that this Nick can more than hold his own, with come backs that are just as funny and clever as Stark’s.

He also provides the film with another connection to the wider MCU. We are seeing him setting up the avengers.

Mickey Rourke gives Ivan Vanko a threatening presence. His performance is physically imposing.

However, the character’s limited development prevents Rourke from doing much more. Which is a shame.

I felt Rourke gave the character an interesting dynamic. It would have been interesting to see more development.

Sam Rockwell is arguably the standout supporting performer. His Justin Hammer is funny, insecure and entertaining.

Rockwell understands exactly how ridiculous Hammer should be.

Also he makes an interesting contrast to Tony Stark. Both of them are rich and industrial.

But only one of them possesses Tony’s real talent of a genius inventor. However, in general the performances here are great.

The only problem is that there are certain characters which lack sufficient material.

What Worked and What Did not

Iron Man 2 does well with many things. For one thing, Robert Downey Jr. is excellent as Tony Stark.

He is the heart of the movie emotionally.

Another element of the movie that works well is the question of Tony’s mortality. The story between Tony and Howard Stark is surprisingly emotional.

War Machine is also a successful element of the movie. Don Cheadle makes Rhodey an important part of Tony’s life right away.

Black Widow is another strong introduction in the movie. Scarlett Johansson brings a confident and physical portrayal of the character.

One of the most enjoyable aspects of the movie is the character of Justin Hammer played by Sam Rockwell.

The Monaco part is well done too. It will probably be remembered among the best action sequences in the early days of the MCU.

The effects are used efficiently for the development of the Iron Man technology. The addition of various suits offers many interesting prospects.

Another great accomplishment of the movie is its place within the MCU.

It starts to build on a bigger universe with Nick Fury, Black Widow, and the Avengers references.

Nevertheless, here also starts the problematic part of the movie. It contains just too many MCU references.

Sometimes it looks like the movie is serving as a link between others. This can lead to a perception that Tony’s story doesn’t matter that much.

Villains are also poorly developed. Ivan Vanko was supposed to be an emotionally significant villain.

His links to Tony’s family presents great possibilities. Sadly, the movie doesn’t take advantage of that possibility.

Another flaw lies in the final fight scene. It has many action elements. Nevertheless, it’s too chaotic for its own good.

The presence of drones, suits, and explosions makes it hard to feel emotionally connected.

The film is also poorly paced. There are scenes that are slow and character-driven. This gives the story a disjointed rhythm.

This leads to a movie that has several strong points. It just cannot put all those together into one satisfying story.

That is why Iron Man 2 is such a divisive film. It is not a bad movie. It is just not as focused as its predecessor.

Overall Verdict

Iron Man 2 is a good sequel, which opens up a lot of possibilities within the MCU. Robert Downey Jr. continues to be great as Tony Stark.

Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle and Sam Rockwell give great performances in this movie.

The addition of the characters of War Machine and Black Widow is vital for Marvel’s grand narrative.

The scene at Monaco is still a fantastic piece of action. Also, the visual effects help extend Tony’s technology.

Unfortunately, the movie has too many plot lines.

Ivan Vanko could have been a stronger villain. The last fight scene is less captivating compared to the earlier action scenes.

The MCU premise sometimes takes away from Tony’s personal journey.

Even with all these flaws, Iron Man 2 is still significant to Marvel lore. It builds on the world while developing Tony Stark’s character.

It may not be as good as the original. But it still has many interesting parts to offer.

Most importantly, it shows Marvel beginning to build something much larger.

The film is therefore more important than its reputation sometimes suggests.