Ironman 2 Review:

So I had a chance to check out the latest installment of the Ironman franchise, and was going in with some high expectations.  Although I enjoyed the movie (which is often a hard task to pull off a sequel, especially if you come out swinging with the first one).  I have always regarded Robert Downey Jr. as one of my favorite actors, yeah he had his share of troubles early on, but I still regard Less Than Zero as one of his best films, many would say that it reflected his real life during that time, he turned things around and now is one of Hollywood’s leading men.  The movie itself has a who’s who of a cast including the ravishing Scarlett Johanson as Black Widow, Gwyneth Paltrow reprising her role as the lovable Pepper Potts, Don Cheadle who replaces Terrence Howard as Lt. Rhodes, Mickey Rourke (this guy seems more popular now then his 9.5 Weeks days) as Russian bad guy Whiplash/Ivan Vanko, and Sam Rockwell as Justin Hammer.

The story leaves off where the first one left off, pretty typical plot, the United States Government wants possession of the Iron Man weapon, which Mr. Tony Stark reluctantly does not want to give up.  Justin Hammer wants the Iron Man to weaponize, Ivan Vanko loses his father who was responsible for the Arc Reactor and seeks revenge for all the fame Stark is getting.  Meanwhile Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) who makes a cameo in the first installment is back as the head of S.H.I.E.L.D., this time recruiting Black Widow to infiltrate the Stark Industries company as a spy.  I will spare out all the details, but I will say that the movie does live up to expectations.  It is your typical Summer blockbuster, it has all your typical special effects, story lines, cheesy one-liners, and all-star casts.  Iron Man 2 is highly recommended and leaves the door open for another sequel and the much rumored The Avengers movie.  I also recommend staying after the credits of the movie for a surprise.

4 out of 5