Wick's Review

Summary - Great 4.0

Another rocket ride of irony, innuendo and immolation, Iron Man 2 picks up where Iron Man 1 left off. Dutifully advancing Marvel’s narrative about a glossy world of marvelous titans, it crackles with wit, energy and sexual tension.

That said, it’s distinctly less delightful than its predecessor, albeit equally brilliant and eminently acceptable. Frequently LOL, often fascinating, occasionally even thought provoking, it suffers from a weak supporting cast, dialogue that’s more Tin Man than Iron Man when Robert Downey Jr. isn’t on screen, and a forced march of Marvel dictated exposition.

Still, blockbusters that work are worth treasuring. And this work-of-iron is often solid-gold.

Looking ahead two years, let’s hope The Avengers and IM3 return to the purple perfection of IM1, still the number two all time TopPik

Acting - Very Good 3.5

Robert Downey Jr. stands alone, effortlessly adept. Most every other performance seemed labored or mannered, though many are from first rate actors. Take Mickey Rourke’s mealy-mouthed Russian, with his fey hair and proto-Klingon visage. Usually indelible, here Rourke’s nearly unintelligible.

• Sam Rockwell – another exceptional actor – gave his corporate shmuck the necessary swagger, but couldn’t muster more than a modicum of charisma.
• Scarlett Johansson’s not a first rate actor, and she sure as hell ain’t no Hit-Girl. Unintentionally ridiculous, she loused up several chunks of the movie. A leather-clad poseur, she brings to mind … yes, you guessed it: Halle Berry’s Catwoman. Meow.
• Gwyneth Paltrow didn’t have to do much as Pepper Potts, yet failed to be credible as someone capable of running Stark Industries.
• John Slattery – so scintillating as Roger Sterling on Mad Men – here seemed bland as Howard Stark, Tony’s eminent Father.
• Don Cheadle hardly proves an improvement over Terrence Howard.
• Jon Favreau was a hoot in his own movie. You go Happy Hogan.

Film - Great 4.0

Several bulls-eyes and a few misses: an example of the former – the hottie partay at Tony Stark’s Malibu mansion, complete with a grooving Iron Man; of the latter, Iron Man and War Machine’s unengaging intramural fight.

Edge - Risqué 1.8

Comik violence and double entendres.

Reality - Supernatural 3.4

Comik commentary on disarmament theory: Is a unipolar world best for all when the predominant power is not fundamentally malicious? IM2 says yes. A superior weapon – wielded for protection, not conquest – provides a safety umbrella under which society thrives. Hobble the noble champion and bad actors become tempted to seek their advantage, consequences and collateral damage be damned.

7 Comments

• Wick Aug 1, 2010 1:39AM

  Regarding Snackula’s Review
  Tough but fair, Snackula, and especially well argued.

• Wick May 22, 2010 10:08PM

  Regarding SnowMan’s Review
  “As an aside, now that the real Senator Specter from PA lost his primary bid, do they have to recast that role?” Good one.

• Demona May 17, 2010 8:51AM

  I agree with brien sez.. lol.. but that would be interesting wick. not to say that it would be the best.. but you never know, right?

• Wick May 14, 2010 11:46PM

  How about her and Halle Berry in a double bill?

• BrianSez May 14, 2010 11:41PM

  Regarding Wick’s Review
  Scarlett Jo – Unintentionally ridiculous? Perhaps…. but I was so distracted by her hotness, I never noticed! ;^)

• Demona May 7, 2010 11:50PM

  Regarding Demona’s Review
  thanks man.. i appreciate it! It was a great flick!

• BrianSez May 6, 2010 9:19PM

  Regarding Demona’s Review
  Loved your review Demona!

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