Iron Man 2

--Crew--
Jon Favreau...Director

--Cast--
Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark
Don Cheadle as James Rhodes
Gwyneth Paltrow as Pepper Potts
Mickey Rourke as Ivan Vanko
Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer

--Review--

“Iron Man 2” isn’t about saving the world, or saving the people Tony Stark loves. The film is about the duplication of the technology found in the Iron Man suit. It’s a film about gadgets and not about the human condition.

This is perfectly fine since “Iron Man 2” can be considered an action film. But aside from a race to assemble high tech gear, there isn’t much happening in “Iron Man 2.”

For a film fascinated by gadgets and high tech equipment, the film’s pacing fails to deliver. It’s slow like a drama but has none of the depth. The pace is absurdly disrupted by too many characters speaking too many lines at too slow a pace. The terrific action sequences are too far spread out to keep the pacing exhilarating.

Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark. Tony Stark came out to the world as Iron Man at the end of the previous picture. Why wouldn’t he? Being a hero with vast media attention is a modern allure.

For an egomaniac such as Tony Stark, confessing to the world of his dual identity is simply stroking his ego. His cocksure manner has him gleefully running about the entire film. He is funny and flirtatious. But he seems to have digressed a little from his growth from the original “Iron Man” picture. Stark’s charisma doesn’t win over any other characters in the film.

A lot of people dislike Stark. Don Cheadle has replaced Terrance Howard as James Rhodes. “Rhodey” doesn’t get increased screen time over his original “Iron Man” incarnation. He is there, but seems to be non-supportive of Stark. Rhodey and Stark don’t seem to be friends but mild enemies.

Everyone scolds Tony Stark. Mickey Rourke is in the film as Ivan Vanko, and hates Tony Stark too. Though he appears intimidating, he really isn’t developed well enough to present a great danger.

For the other villain we have Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer. He’s like Tony Stark in many ways. Hammer is an arms dealer seeking to imprint his legacy on the future of modern warfare. He runs his own corporation. Yet, Hammer isn’t imposing, he stumbles and is easily outwitted by Stark. Thus, making Hammer an unrewarding antagonist. It’s hard to believe that Hammer will ever be able to outwit Stark. It’s not a surprise when he doesn’t. He hates Tony Stark as well.

The premise of the picture doesn’t give “Iron Man 2” the intensity it needs to make the villains and heroes feel like something larger is at stake. Instead all of the dialogue descends into witty exchanges between all the various characters. Every character is always trying to verbally joust at another one. It’s a funny flick and perhaps that’s a reason the film can’t be taken seriously. With no real conflict and characters uninvolved in a deeper moral issues, “Iron Man 2” becomes a lightweight picture filled with only humor and visual effects.

There are too many characters in “Iron Man 2” that do not directly contribute to the overall story. A film with an ensemble cast is harder to direct and juggle screen time with. The film doesn’t seem to understand the purpose of some characters and everyone seems nearly interchangeable in the plot.

The film’s director Jon Favreau appears as Tony Stark’s driver Happy Hogan. This time Favreau’s Hogan has longer screen time than in the previous “Iron Man.” He gets to throw a couple of punches. But there are no subplots involving his character. Hogan isn’t interesting or humorous. Hogan’s inclusion is a disservice to cinema and the script.

The action sequences of the film are quite wonderful. There are lots of explosions in the film. Yet, the action sequences are awkwardly spaced throughout the picture. It’s an action film without an exact understanding of where to place the action sequences. It takes nearly twenty minutes into the film before we get our first taste of action.

“Iron Man 2” doesn’t have much of a plot. There are no vast conspiracies, no underlying themes involving freedom, security and militarism. “Iron Man 2” is devoid of a deeper meaning. It’s a story populated by attractive people preening about and flirting with each other incessantly under the boom of fire crackers.

We’re meant to be enchanted by it all. The special effects, the heavy banter about neutrons and protons. There isn’t any humanity in “Iron Man 2.”

Simply having actors portray characters isn’t enough. The characters must undergo a process of transformation.

None of the characters change, making “Iron Man 2” seem like a mere dress rehearsal rather than a real “Iron Man” sequel.