Funny Picture

Thought I'd take a moment to review the Iron Man 2 film. I went to watch this last Wed's for Orange Wednesday at Lancasters Vue cinema. Being a massive fan of Iron Man's first installment, largely because of it's individualism from any other film I've seen and it's cool cars, gadgets and Robert Downey Jr's laid back suave sense of humour, I knew that Jon Favreau, the producer who also stars in the film as Happy Hogan - Starks body guard slash personal manager, would have the vision and pedigree to match if not top the IM1. I wasn't let down!



I first chose to take another view of the first film the night prior to refresh myself before heading out the following day with some mates Birkett, Yearron, Stu Peters and his Mrs. Now one thing I noticed from the first film is that they seemed to avoid (and very effectively I might add) making too many hero cheesy clichés and for those of you that took the time to watch the extra scenes on the DVD will see that some of this was present but cut from the final edit. I was pretty keen to see if they'd manage to make a good hero film but avoid the horrible cringy moments that most other films of this sort can't manage. I'm pleased to say that despite one or two minor Hollywood lines they successfully did this, although they let themselves down a little near the end when Iron Man stood next to a child who had an Iron Man mask on and banished an enemy with the line "Nice job kid"! 
The effects in this film were just as cool as in the first movie and there was a more logical focus on how 'Stark Industries' takes an interesting change in business towards bettering peoples standards of life through technology which mean't some of the more extravagant scenes had a good setting. Which brings me nicely on to my next positive, the fight sequences between Iron Man and various foes including the excellent Mickey Rourke, were action packed and full of innovation. Another slightly cheesy moment where Iron Man takes down around 10 foes in one foul swoop sees him employ a Cyclops style laser like move that sees all enemies drop in an instant and his suited partner ask him why he didn't use that move sooner rather than 5 minutes into the scene - Stark replies "because it's a use once only move" -nevertheless awesome FX! Scarlett Johansson brings a new edge to the table by suiting up as an avenger and looked nothing short of fucking stunning to offer gwyeth Paltrow some much needed competition for Starks attention.