Iron Man 2 (2010)

Director: Jon Favreau

Cast: Robert Downey Jr., Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson

Duration: 124 minutes

It is only natural to have high hopes for its sequel when, two years ago, “Iron Man” took global audience by storm, revived Robert Downey Jr.’s career and elevated Jon Favreau’s status as the man behind Iron Man.

However, it is not fair to judge “Iron Man 2” solely based on a comparison with its predecessor. Film critics often focus on whether the sequel has raised the bar, and they generally conclude that “it does not live up to expectation”.

Like the main protagonist himself, “Iron Man 2” comes back different and is equally impressive. While the first film sets up the background of the story and introduces many new elements, the second film builds upon an established plot and characters. It is exactly the nature and extent of such development – in addition to mind-blowing action scenes, of course – that determines the success of “Iron Man 2”.

The main plot is woven into a number of sub-plots, yet they are clearly communicated and the focus stays tightly on Ivan Vanko’s (Rourke) vengeance against Tony Stark (Downey). But fighting for his life under Vanko’s deadly electric whips is not Stark’s only battle. 

He is racing against his body, as the element fuelling the device in his chest is killing him at the same time. He is competing with his rival, Justin Hammer (Rockwell), who is aiding Vanko, through Hammer Industries, to build his own version of Iron Man to destroy Stark’s. He is struggling to keep his best friend, James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Cheadle), and his suit in a wave of public pressure. It gets more personal. Stark’s ambiguous relationship with his assistant-turn-CEO, Pepper Potts (Paltrow), is rocked when he keeps his physical condition a secret from her.

Despite having only directed two major films – including Iron Man in 2008 – that succeeded commercially, Favreau has apparently mastered the skill of narration. He makes a story as eventful and technological as this easy to follow and intriguing, even for audience with no general understanding of Marvel comics, such as myself.

Outstanding performance from an all-star cast also plays an important part in unfolding the aftermath of Stark’s public announcement of Iron Man’s identity. Favreau said in an interview that casting Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark meant his work was half done. Downey has also earned many praises from film critics for his portrayal of an arrogant billionaire and charming genius trapped in physical and moral dilemmas. Though there is no universe to save, Downey’s Stark alone holds the narrative together and captures the audience’s curiosity.

The sequel introduces a number of new characters. Mickey Rourke as Vanko is vindictive, creepy and fearless. Sam Rockwell plays the sleazy Hammer, who bridges between Iron Man and Vanko and supplies comic relief to the film. Though Favreau explains Scarlett Johansson’s Natalie Rushman disrupts the tension between Stark and Potts, the existence of her character fails to contribute to the central importance of the plot. Don Cheadle’s character is not new, but he is a better “Rhodey” than Terrence Howard. Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts is more complex and developed, and the Oscar-winner delivers another convincing performance as the new boss of Stark Industries.

There is no doubt the use of CGI is extensive in the film, but Favreau makes the impossible look possible. The director has expressed scepticism about CGI and preference for retaining certain extent of realism to incite the audience’s emotional attachment to the story and characters. A few notable scenes include the vibrant and glamorous opening of Stark Expo, Stark’s transformation into Iron Man on the racetrack and the final showdown. Johansson also deserves credit for her single fight scene, although the addition of her character and Nick Fury (Jackson) from S.H.I.E.L.D. is purely to pave way for the union of comic superheroes in “The Avengers” – due to be released in 2012.

The extra scene after end credits promises the return of Iron Man to complete a trilogy. Anticipation is going to be even more intense for a third instalment. As long as Downey with his trademark goatee and sarcasm is still behind that iron mask, Iron Man 3 is sure to be among many box office hits adapted from Marvel comics in the next few years.