Directed by Jon Favreau
Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Mickey Rourke, Sam Rockwell, Don Cheadle, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau, Paul Bettany

Thank heavens. I will now let out an official sigh of relief because Iron Man 2 is a very succesful sequel. The success of the first one was a happy accident because nobody expected it to mount to anything other than standard summer fare. Iron Man of course turned out to be a huge sleeper hit of 2008 and it also catapulted Downey Jr. back to big leagues and A-list stardom. And rightfully so.

 Iron Man 2 picks up six months after the first movie and Tony Stark is being pressured by the government to turn over the Iron Man technology. At the same time an enemy from the past (Rourke) is gathering momentum to crush him for vengeance and a rival arms developer Justin Hammer (Rockwell) scheems up his own ploys to take over the spotlight.

 Downey Jr. is Tony Stark and the role comes naturally for him just like it did in the original, but the true delights of this particular cake are Rourke and especially Rockwell, two unforgivingly talented character actors having fun with their bad guy roles. The film is not complitely without hitches though as the first half is spent searching for the easy going vibe that made the first Iron Man so enjoyable. Stark as a character is overconfident and self absorbed but where the original film made it look weirdly endearing, here he almost comes off as a real prick. Luckily this is fixed skilfully and the rest is business, not as usual, but as we wanted it to be.

 And people please, stick around for the credits, eh? When I went to see this to the theater with my friend, EVERYONE else walked out as the credits rolled, but at the end there was a tasty treat of the upcoming Avengers film which combines the Marvel-heroes. It's just like most of the people who've seen the first Iron Man don't have any fucking idea that Samuel L. Jackson is actually in it.. his small, but crucial part comes after the credits and my question is.. what's the goddamn hurry anyway?! Get a nicotine patch and hold your calls for additional 3 minutes!

KITEYTETTYNÄ SINIVALKOISILLE
Iron Man 2 on kuin onkin odotusten veroinen jatko-osa alkupuoliskon kankeudesta huolimatta. Downey J. jatkaa riemukasta comeback-kulkuaan, mutta siitä huolimatta tämä filmi on Rourken ja etenkin Rockwellin juhlaa, jotka repivät pahisten rooleistaan jokaisen herkullisen tipan irti. Ja oli Johanssonin kyvyistä mitä mieltä tahansa, niin voi kilin kellit mikä misu! Saisi luvan rökittää allekirjoittanutta vaikka joka päivä.

Iron Man 2 at IMDb