Iron Man 2

Iron Man Returns.

I must say, trying to complete the Marvel Cinematic Universe missing reviews has been a very exhilarating and fulfilling experience. Despite the fact that this blog is mostly about B movies (and erotic films) Our heart is filled with comic book love. We have always said "read the comic book before the movie is filmed" Our motto is none other than "Love the original source, keep it as real as you can and build your own opinion based on personal experiences and responsible research" Having said that, our strong belief that the sudden success films, based upon comic books are having (since 2005 let's be honest) has strengthen the position of comic books as a multi cultural art form that can reach wider audiences thanks to the channels it's been opened to (television, films, videogames, animated series, home video, apparel, etc) Nevertheless, the original source, the comic book must remain as the only cannon arc and people who like movies based upon comic book characters are not necessarily actual comic book fans, so don't come with that attitude of being a "nerd", a "geek" or a "comic book freak" (or whatever the fuck you're calling yourselves today) Because the only significant contribution these films have given the comic book industry is nothing but money, and sooner than later this craze will be over and we, the true connoisseurs, the actual comic book readers, will still be here while all these film fan posers will move on to the next big trend. 

Now, moving on to what has really brought us here today, Iron Man 2 is the 2010 sequel for our previous entry. The film is a breezy, light-hearted, inoffensive affair that saunters at a magnetic pace, with emotional discomfiting a far thought. Which is pretty refreshing, to say the least. In fact, Iron Man 2 was the absolute opposite of Christopher Nolan's Batman films. For one, it certainly isn't darker than its predecessor, absent its slow-burning first half and latched-on social commentary. It also gives itself the poetic license to stretch credulity. This is a movie about a man who flies around in metal suit, blasting away multicolored-haired Russians with electric whips. Realism simply doesn't apply, and thankfully director Jon Favreau and writer Justin Theroux take affectionate liberty with the bonds of belief. Yes, Ivan Vanko can secretly build super technology unbeknownst to his suppliers. And yes, the only way to incapacitate a drunken Tony is to beat the crap out of him in a Iron Man suit. No complaints here! 

Iron Man approves donut consumption.

Is it true you were a Jedi & a hitman in the past?

Iron Man 2 is also very much Iron Man's superior, although partly by default. The first movie was stuck with a pedantic origin story. However, the sequel had no shortage of possible paths to take. Which did it choose? The way you should always go; the road of characterization. Rather than tediously expand upon its universe, Iron Man 2 simply reprises its dramatis personae and sticks them into situations graver than before, upping the ante but reiterating the overall heart and spirit of its predecessor. The characters are well-etched, each snappy exchange rendered with a mature pathos that contrasts with the spurious scenarios that they feature in between of. Iron Man 2 could easily be called a comedy, but the naturalism of the comedy is seamless; you get the sense that it would be impossible to write this movie without having these vibrant characters joke and jeer.

To bring the clever screenplay to life is the phenomenal cast. Robert Downey, Jr., as always, is effortlessly captivating. Charisma defined and an scandalously unsung master of versatility (he's not just playing himself, people!), it's no breaking news that he's still one of the most watchable actors ever. He is the perfect Tony Stark, and a more-than-worthy representative of the thinking man's action star. His chemistry with Gwyneth Paltrow as the pragmatic Pepper Pots is electric, and she too turns in a fine performance. Wistful, but by no means a damsel in distress, she is probably the realest character.

Iron Man 2 human cast.

Iron Man 2 robot cast.

The baddies, just as essential as the hero, don't disappoint either. Another wrong from last time round successfully remedied is the lack of genuinely menacing villains. Jeff Bridges honored us with his always-welcome presence in Iron Man, but his warm affability was anything but menacing. This time, however, Mickey Rourke and Sam Rockwell (oddly, both novices to blockbuster attention) are on duty, offering more than enough bang for your villainy buck. Rourke as Anton Vanko/"Whiplash", supplements a composite of the unintentionally hokey showman, supercilious mastermind, and the seemingly unstoppable behemoth. This effectively fends off one-noteness, and Rourke perfectly embodies the duality of Vanko's deceptively boorish visage and surprisingly vast intellect, while still indulging in the welcome irreverence that comes with the comic book villain (his Russian drawl is humorous but gives him an otherworldly conviction).

Rockwell, on the other hand, is flat-out comic relief as Stark's weaselly rival – though not necessarily a threatening one – Justin Hammer. He is excellent in the part; an absolute delight to watch, whether irascibly mugging in a loss for words with his insubordinate partner Vanko or, in one of the movie's best moments, shamelessly accolading his own (faulty) inventions with juvenile zeal.

I will have me revenge.

Christian Grey? never heard of her.

Unfortunately, with all these characters butting heads for screen time, co-stars Don Cheadle and Scarlett Johansson(oh my god I'm cumming!) as Tony's pal Colonel James "Rhodey" Rhodes and eventual partner War Machine and alluring temptress of a new assistant Natalie Rushman, respectively, are given the short straw. Both are more than able of carrying a scene, but while the script lavishes Tony with many moments in which to brood his way into some fine character development, and to convey Pepper's many grievances, neither supporting character is as lucky. Cheadle's moments of potential are all obstructed by the War Machine suit, and everything otherwise requires him to lucidly voice reason as a foil to the devil may care Tony. Johansson is a non-event, her Natalie Rushman an amoral nothing role, and her Black Widow guise is not so much daring femme fatale as listless sex symbol. She acts as merely a vessel for fan service, be it in her skintight suit for the general audience or that she represents another stepping stone to an Avengers movie for esoteric comic book fans.

The movie is inter cut between the scenes of terse characterization and octane action. The latter is a dizzying combination of rapid vicissitudes and toe-to-toe skirmishes, high on CGI, low on genuine peril. In fact, Iron Man 2 could quite possibly have been a masterpiece of the genre had it lived up to its first forty minutes of exuberance and intrigue. But once the clumsy pugilism of Iron Man and Whiplash takes place, the movie falls flat. The power play is nonexistent, because it's hard to believe anyone could stand a chance against ol' Shellhead. And if no sense of alarm can be conveyed when Iron Man is caught in an unusually melee showdown, the flight sequences leave no impression. Yes, the special effects are astounding, but it's all for nothing if there's no dramatic undercurrent.

Let's do this quick War Machine, I got a double date.

Wait until you try fingering with Iron Man's hand!

Otherwise, please, don't mistake my raving for fanboy hyperbole; Iron Man 2 is great. It's well-written, well-acted, and simultaneously a loving throwback to comic book norm and a break from recent tradition.Unfortunately Iron Man 3 happened fulfilling the prophecy of the trilogy (with the only exception being Nolan's Batman) 

Here's the movie trailer and as soon as I'm available, we'll be going back to the very roots of this blog: Exploitation, Sexploitation & B Movies of sorts.

Iron Man, The Movie

Marvel Comics definitive masterpiece.

Although I'm always trying to avoid making reviews about films that are way too important(it took me years to cover Star Wars as it deserves to be), all of our previous posts have been about what Marvel Comics has done on the small and big screen at different times.However, we haven't discussed each and every single movie from Marvel Studios.Now the time has come for that which is inevitable: Covering the one film that allowed Marvel Studios begin a career of successful motion pictures based upon their beloved characters. Enter the Marvel Cinematic Universe, AKA Iron Man, the movie.

Before we get into the review properly allow me to confess memories nobody gives a shit about, but for old times' sake, let me introduce today's entry like in the old days of Blogger (you know, talking about how miserable your life is)

Growing up in South America in the 80's meant two things for kids: 

1. Dictatorship not only taking over your education but also controlling your freedom deeply.

2.Reading mostly DC Comics comic books (Marvel comic books in those days were a precious oddity)

Now, how many fucks are to be given about this? why would I bring this up?  Well, as to explain myself better.  While North America was very aware of what Marvel Comics were doing, I barely had glimpses of what a Marvel Comic character would look like. Most of the info I had as a young enthusiast comic book fan came from TV (The Incredible Hulk series, The Amazing Spiderman series & the Captain America films plus the cartoons based on Marvel characters) and since Iron Man didn't have a cartoon/movies of his own it was nearly impossible to figure out who he was until I found a few very old comic books of his own in a pawn shop. 

Hit the road terrorists!

Talk to the hand!

Later when the 90's decade began I found Iron Man being my favorite playable character of The Avengers arcade videogame, and eventually found him again in Marvel Superheroes. By the second half of the decade, a Mexican book firm began publishing Marvel Comics comic books (mostly Spiderman & X-Men but every once in a while Iron Man would show up here and there) In addition there was the Iron Man animated series (check previous post about it) Now, all of these experiences lead me to believe that Iron Man belonged to Tier B where superheroes are concerned, languishing behind easily recognizable peers who already have movie after movie being made. 

Iron Man had it very hard coming out the same year The Dark Knight came out. Nevertheless, Tony Stark may have lost his parents and inherit a big fortune, but that neither makes him Bruce Wayne nor Batman. the personality Stark has is the opposite of Wayne's. He's not hurt, he's been there but, has long since moved on to a better life, where his creative brain keeps him healthy, rich and happy. Besides, every movie that tried to copy Christopher Nolan's realistic dark universe failed miserably. This one wouldn't fail, it wasn't dark, it was about someone who was happy to save the day.

Mark II.

Mark III: Birth of Iron Man, the hero!

The writing is great as 'Iron Man' sticks to the main story all the way. I liked how Downey Jr's Tony Stark grows from this carefree business-minded tech-tycoon who's only concern is Stark Industries to a man with a mission to save the world and in the process he still stays the same person as he maintains his sense of humor, his courage and his integrity. The dialogs, especially Starks's one-liners are sharp, witty and funny. This movie is an introduction to the famous title character thus those expecting only action from start to end (like 'Transformers') may be disappointed to an extent. But for me there was enough action along with substance to make it a hugely enjoyable experience.

Jon Favreau is a versatile director and his impressive filmography, both as actor and director, prove that he's experimented with different kinds of cinema. 'Iron Man' wouldn't have been an easy film to direct but Favreau does a magnificent job. The CGI is excellent as I loved how much attention was given to detail and how the viewer is shown every step of the making of Iron Man. Of course, there's some humor added to lighten up the mood instead of technologically overloading the viewers.

CEO wars!

Ever dance with the devil...err..wrong movie!

'Iron Man' is just the movie that Robert Downey Jr. needed and it couldn't have come at a better time. At a time, when this talented actor's performances were hardly getting enough notice, 'Iron Man' brings him back to recognition. After seeing him, one would conclude that the part was made only for Downey Jr. His dialog delivery seems so natural that it would be hard to tell whether he was acting, if the scenes were taken out of context. I don't think Gwyneth Paltrow has ever looked better. Though the role does not allow her to really stretch her acting, Potts isn't just a typical superhero's dame. She is Tony's confidant and the one who supports him through thick and thin. Paltrow provides the necessary charisma, sex appeal and soul that makes Pepper Potts shine and she shares a sizzling chemistry with her male lead. Terrence Howard has a smaller role as Tony's good friend but there's a hint that he might have a more prominent role if a sequel is made. Finally, there's Jeff Bridges as the villain. An odd yet brilliant choice as the actor is refreshing and like his costar, he too needed an 'Iron Man' to give his career a boost.

I noticed that some people were complaining that Muslims/Middle Easterners were portrayed as bad guys just like in any other American movie but I would like to state that this is no 'Vantage Point'. Here, these people weren't portrayed as terrorists working on their own but as men hired for a specific reason. So I just thought to briefly clarify that this is no anti-Islamic or anti-anything (except, well okay, anti-weaponry) movie. It's a movie for everyone.

meet the Iron Monger!

Iron Monger smash!

Perhaps the story itself isn't anything novel which is what makes it somewhat similar to other superhero movies, but the treatment of it and its execution is quite unique. Add to that a fine cast and dazzling special effects among many things, this is the ultimate summer movie experience of 2008 and honestly, the one that allowed the Marvel Cinematic Universe to exist, Iron Man is the big bang!

Overall, the best Marvel Studios film to date (yes, to date, that is 2015) and you know what? What really makes Iron Man an excellent film is that the cast chosen for each role looks and sound as if they were born for it. Robert Downey Jr. is a truly believable genius millionaire that is nothing like sad & dark Bruce Wayne (yes, people tend to compare these two very often) His incredible portrayal of the character brings Iron Man from the Tier B of superheroes, to the spotlight he's always deserved, but writers and artists had constantly failed to conceive.

Stay tuned for Iron Man 2, the sequel review...

Here's the movie trailer:

And a very special bonus video featuring "Iron Man, The Movie with toys"