The problem with sequels is that in an attempt to give audiences more of what they loved the first time around, filmmakers do just that: more. More money on special effects, more on gadgets, more on everything–usually–but plot and character development. Interestingly, Iron Man 2′s director Jon Faverau considered this issue when constructing this sequel to his 2008 hit. He says that what he wanted was to create a better film, not just a second film; he wanted to create something that would connect with audiences and meet their needs. Faverau asks in a recent Entertainment Weekly interview, “How do you fulfill their expectations in an unexpected way? What should we demand of ourselves?” (Rottenberg, 5/7/10, p. 29). While Iron Man 2 is not a perfect film, it is a worthy sequel, especially for the very fact that it takes the “2″ in the title quite literally; everything in the film, from the bad guys, to the Iron Man suits, to the female heroines, is present in pairs to double your fun and develop layers to the film.
First, the plot revolves around two villains who challenge Tony Stark’s prowess as Iron Man and protector. The first villain–easy to spot in the teaser–is Ivan Vanko, the yin to Tony’s yang. While Tony’s father left him the legacy of Stark Industries, Ivan Vanko’s father left him the plans for an Iron Man suit of his own. Angry and bitter at his own dreary lot in life–as well as Tony’s glowing success as Iron Man–Ivan sets about to create a sinister suit of his own, complete with electrical whiplashes that can slice through, well, just about everything. Just as evil–yet much more smarmy–is Justin Hammer, a rival who wants to take over as the kingpin who supplies all the weapons to the military. What’s interesting in their pairing is that while both villains are opposites in appearance and disposition, both are, in the end, similarly evil.
We also get double the Iron Men–literally–with both Tony and his BFF Rhody donning versions of the suits. The plot here revolves around how far a true friend would go to not only help a friend, but also save the world. The conflict between the two, of course, leads to Tony’s growth and some awesome special effects in several action sequences–one comical, one thrilling.
The last double in Iron Man 2 is a treat: two female leads. We first have Pepper Potts, the smart girl’s role model for witty comebacks. While the tension simmers between Pepper and Tony, continuing their flirtation from the first film, we also get a future Avenger in Natalie Rushman (aka Black Widow). It’s always nice to see a naughty versus nice plot device, especially when both leads can command a screen well, but what makes this “double fun” is that you might be surprised what the resolution is to their relationships with Tony.
Summer is the time to escape to the movies with a tub of popcorn and an icy soda. Most popcorn flicks are meant to be forgotten once the popcorn is gone. However, Iron Man 2 is more clever than the usual action yarn and offers quite a bit to enjoy. You might even find you have twice as much to chat about after!
Reviewed by Sandy Eckard