Iron Man 2 (2010)

The first installment of IRON MAN benefited from a fairly intelligent (well, as far as comic book movies go) script and a strong central performance by Robert Downey Jr and some tight direction and pacing by Jon Favreau. While the second entry suffers from the inevitable sequel-itis to a degree, IRON MAN 2 manages to maintain the elements that made the first so successful (both critically and financially) despite the over bloated attempt to out do itself. The franchise is fortunate, not only to have an interesting super-hero with glaring faults (self destructive, narcissistic) but to have the wonderful Downey to play him. I’m not sure any other actor could quite carry it off with the panache Downey does. Certainly, a more provocative super-hero than the glum Batman of Christian Bale or innocuous Superman of Brandon Routh. Downey’s got a substantial nemesis in Mickey Rourke, great chemistry with Gwyneth Paltrow and solid assistance from Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson, director Favreau himself and Garry Shandling is perfect as a smarmy senator. Only Sam Rockwell taints the pot with a piece of show off ham acting that’s too much even in a comic book movie.