Review of Iron Man 2 (2010) by Dan F — 18 Nov 2013

Robert Downey Jnr has few rivals in terms of charisma and sheer fast talking, but Sam Rockwell is one of them. In terms of intensity, Mickey Rourke promises a lot- but sadly doesn't have the opportunity to deliver following some chilling moments (and some comic book silliness).

It's lost the novel sheen of its predecessor, and Marvel have tried to make an appetiser for what's to come- cramming in endless references to other Marvel luminaries where all the first film had was a post credit sting as a nod to a wider universe.

That's all it needed. Still, it's fun if somewhat disjointed and has a similar men in metal suits showdown from part one. And there's that slightly embarrassing party sequence that tries to truncate a classic storyline about alcoholism, and a toxic, internal threat that gets deux ex machina'd out.

But, you know, it's good. It just isn't great.