The Unseen Movie Review Iron Man 2

By Robert Dixter May 5, 2010, 18:21 GMT

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the sequel to the blockbuster film based on the legendary Marvel Super Hero “Iron Man”. Starring Oscar nominee Robert Downey Jr as billionaire inventor Tony Stark/the armored Super Hero Iron Man. ...more

I remember walking into the theater in 2008 to see Iron Man.  I had my soda and popcorn and I was still laughing because the guy behind the counter asked if I wanted him “To butter my popcorn”.  The movie was surprising and extremely enjoyable.  It wasn’t dark and moody like Batman and it didn’t have elevated camera work like Spider-Man.  It did capture the feel of the Iron Man comic perfectly and created its own look and feel. 

The key to making a great comic book film is to make sure the world the main character lives in is unique and different (sort of the same place where Heidi Montag pays rent).  The director has to create the right feel for the audience.  Daredevil couldn’t do this, neither could Fantastic Four.

Director Jon Favreau did a great job setting the right tone in Iron Man; add to that a perfect performance by Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark/ Iron Man and you had an awesome comic book movie.  Downey was so good he elevated a second tier comic book character (and yes, compared to Spider-Man, Superman and Batman, Iron Man is second tier) to blockbuster status.  Downey has come far from falling asleep in neighbors’ houses.  Although in his defense, a decent nap is hard to come by and when you feel one coming on you grab it regardless of the location.  Iron Man was so good it ended up grossing $318 million in the U.S.  Add to the fact that the film was released at the beginning of May to kick off the summer films when there was no competition and it was clear that Iron Man would be the film of the summer (until Dark Knight came along and redefined comic book movies forever.)

So how do you take a great film and build on it?  Simple, add Mickey Rourke.  Mickey makes anything more interesting when you add him to the mix.  Need a better indie film? Add Mickey Rourke.  Your daughter’s slumber party is boring? Add Mickey Rourke.  The strippers had the wrong address and never showed up to your bachelor party? Add Mickey Rourke.  This guy is one hell of an actor (see The Wrestler) and he can punch out a charging bull with his left arm.  You know those Dos Equis commercials for the most interesting man in the world?  They should have just turned the camera on Mickey Rourke.  In Iron Man 2 Mickey plays Whiplash a man who has constructed a miniaturized arc reactor of his own.  Mickey could play a villain who builds his own six foot long sandwich with extra pickles and I would still run out to see the film.  A comic book film will die if the villain is not played right (which is why Heath Ledger won an Oscar for Dark Knight).

Iron Man 2 is the kick off to the summer blockbusters, which is a time when studios put the dollars on the screen.  I am excited for the season to begin and I can’t wait to see it start with a well made smart action comic book film.  I’m also hoping the same concession counter guy is there to butter my popcorn this time.