Sequels are a tricky proposition in the world of film. For every one that improves upon the original, there are ten more that are either lackluster or completely unnecessary. However, there is no need to worry when it comes to the second installment in the Iron Man film franchise. Iron Man 2 succeeds in the difficult task of expanding and enriching the storyline begun in the first film while introduce new characters and mythos elements and manages to do it without making the film seem rushed or too full. Jon Favreau has upped the ante with this one and we all win.
There are several stories interwoven within the plot. First, Tony Stark is hiding a secret in what could be considered a unique twist on the famous “Demon in a Bottle” storyline from the Iron Man comic books. This secret is affecting his health and judgment and while it isn’t related to alcohol he does use libations to cover it up. Meanwhile, the US government continues to try to coerce technology from Stark to fuel the nation’s defense, with James “Rhodey” Rhodes in the unenviable position of both having to serve his country and protect his best friend Tony Stark. We finally get to see exactly what kind of man Rhodey is in what side he aligns with. Tony Stark is also under attack from Justin Hammer who desperately wants to be everything Tony is and repeatedly is everything Tony isn’t. Being duplicitous and conniving may work in the short term, but in the super-hero world it isn’t a very good long-term career goal, as Hammer finds out. Then we have Ivan Vanko, who may just be as brilliant an inventor as Tony Stark and whose father may have helped Howard Stark invent the Arc Reactor. Again, while Tony is fueled by altruistic means and a desire to do what is right, Vanko is running on revenge and a desire to punish. Add to all of this Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. continuing to move forward with their “Avengers Initiative” and you have one hell of a two-hour ride.
One of the elements that makes this film so enjoyable is the acting. All the returning are very comfortable in their roles and that, along with more improvised dialogue, just makes the performances click. Robert Downey Jr. and Gwyneth Paltrow light up their scenes together and Favreau’s Happy Hogan thankfully gets more screen time. Similarly, it’s terrific to get a bit more of the S.H.I.E.L.D. in expanded roles for Sam Jackson’s wry Nick Fury and Clark Gregg’s deadpan Agent Coulson. We even get some quick cameos from a couple of minor characters from the first film as well as the welcome return of Paul Bettany voicing Jarvis. And the new actors joining in on the action fit perfectly. Sam Rockwell is suitably smarmy as Justin Hammer and Scarlett Johansson is surprising as Black Widow, a role that requires her to be both demure and deadly in equal measure. I would even go so far as to say that this may be one of Mickey Rourke’s finest performances in a long time. Don Cheadle has the most difficult job as he must step into the shoes of a character played by another actor in the previous film. He does this respectfully and in fine fashion and represents Rhodey very well. Oh, and watch for Stan Lee’s ubiquitous cameo, it’s a good laugh.
Director Jon Favreau skillfully juggles multiple storylines along with ample set up and action and delivers it all in a thrilling package. He makes this second outing a bigger film than the first, but not just in action. We get more depth to the characters, more of Tony’s backstory and more to the slowly expanding cinematic Marvel Universe. It’s like the beginning of Marvel Comics on the silver screen. The comics began with a handful of individual titles existing the same universe and slowly they became connected until several characters teamed up to form the Avengers. That’s the same sort of feeling I get watching Hulk and the two Iron Man films. There are things alluded to here that will certainly carry forward to the next films, namely Thor and Captain America. And, like those groundbreaking comic books, the best creators have been chosen to make these films with Favreau and the actors he’s chosen more than proving their worth. I, for one, am definitely looking forward to the next cinematic “issue” of Iron Man.
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