SYNOPSIS:
Robert Downey Jr. returns as billionaire Tony Stark in this thrilling sequel to the worldwide blockbuster. Now that his superhero secret has been revealed, Tony’s life is more intense than ever. Everyone wants in on the Iron Man technology, whether for power or profit…but for Ivan Vanko (“Whiplash”), it’s revenge! Tony must once again suit up and face his most dangerous enemy yet, but not without a few new allies of his own.
MOVIE REVIEW:
No doubt, the box-office success of "Iron Man" catapult leading man, Robert Downey Jr. into the leading man status, one aspect that has been deluding the once troubled veteran actor for decades. His almost flawless, charming performance of Tony Stark, the billionaire playboy superhero brought another glowing cash cow to Marvel’s stable of comic heroes following the success of "Spider-Man" and "X-Men". Thus with huge success comes great expectations. Director Jon Favreau reunites with Downey and the wizards of ILM for the sequel with a script by Justin Theroux.
For most fans who find much love in the first instalment which slowly develops itself detailing the origins of the armoured superhero will find the sequel a little tad rush and overwhelming. With a higher budget, we are treated to an overblown finale and a pool of various characters that include newcomers Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell and Scarlett Johansson, all craving for attention during the 128 minutes running time.
This time round, Tony Stark is facing a new nemesis, Rourke’s character, Ivan Vanko aka Whiplash. The offspring of a disgruntled ex-employee of Stark Industries who launched a surprise attack on Tony in Monaco, a fantastic excuse for more visual excitement in the grand prix sequence. Following the attack, Stark’s closest competitor in the weaponry industry, Justin Hammer (Rockwell) offers Vanko a shelter with a hidden agenda though the latter has smarter plans of his own.
While Favreau indeed remarkably answered to most of fan’s cat calls by introducing War Machine aka Lt Col Rhodes (Don Cheadle replacing Terrence Howard), Black Widow (Johansson) and a prolonged cameo by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, one get a feeling he is getting a little too greedy by the second act (or an apparent move by Marvel to introduce audience to Marvel properties). There are too many subplots to make you really feel for the characters, for example the subtle romance between Stark and his able assistant, Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) seen in the first is greatly missing. To make up for it, we have the gorgeous Mrs Reynolds parading in tight latex and sexy office wear. Something that will definitely appease comic geeks out there.
If you think the original effects were great, the effects in the sequel are simply dazzling. There are so many sequences which feature solid CG renderings complied with loud sound of metallic clanking seen on Iron Man and his counterpart, War Machine that metal has never been so cool onscreen. The energy level concocted by the various heroes and villains here will leave you panting. Heck, we even go to the extent of clamoring more of Paul Bettany’s Jarvis. Unfortunately, main villain Vanko received a pitiful amount of screentime and exposition towards the end which is rather a shame considers the potential of the character.
Despite the formulaic setup and the underdeveloped characters, we still owe it to Robert Downey Jr. for once again saving the day. His witty one-liners and cocksure attitude makes it a fun thrill ride to hop along with Tony Stark. Thus does the movie deliver in the end? It certainly has the ingredients for a summer blockbuster and the ending clip after the credits will leave you craving for more of the Marvel universe. "Iron Man 2" is a blast from start to finish, a worthy successor to the 2008 original.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This single disc edition only has the Commentary by Director Jon Favreau as an extra feature. Favreau is a slick talker and being a passionate filmmaker and Iron Man fan, Favreau’s commentary track probably is among the best around.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The DVD transfer is excellent. Colours are striking and there are no visible artifacts to distract your viewing pleasure. The Dolby Digital 5.1 simply rocks, a loud sonic surround to go with heavy bass, this is a title that is highly recommended to showcase your home system.
MOVIE RATING :
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
Posted
on 8 October 2010 |
