REVIEW: You’re Going to Love the Imperfect ‘Iron Man 2′
by John NolteThough the highly anticipated “Iron Man 2” qualifies as a hilarious, entertaining, irreverent, and openly patriotic summer blockbuster well worth the price of admission (and then some), like most sequels, the continuing story of Tony Stark and company does falls short of its predecessor, especially in what I call the “lift department.” Superhero films that transcend their genre contain an unforgettable moment or two that lifts the hair on the back of your neck, pulls you out of your chair, and urges you to stand and cheer. The original “Iron Man” had a number of those moments. And while the follow-up has a whole lot going for it, this is where it most lacks.
Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) has privatized world peace. Yes, all on his own as Iron Man, Stark has whipped the world into behaving itself and it’s completely gone to his already bloated head. Obviously this wasn’t accomplished through the changing of our enemies’ hearts, but rather through the superior firepower that comes with being Iron Man. This is the reason/excuse our government, led by the oily Senator Stern (a very funny Gary Shandling) uses to demand Stark turn over the suit to the Pentagon. During a hearing televised on CSPAN, Stark can’t bring himself to politely decline. With his ego red-lining, (he has saved the world, after all), he both insults the Senator and dares him to try and take the suit away from him.
Game on.
In this vacuum steps a rival arms dealer, Justin Hammer (a delightfully twitchy Sam Rockwell), who’s desperate to replicate the Iron Man technology and scoop up all that Pentagon money while at the same time fulfilling a desire to humiliate Stark by elbowing Iron Man into irrelevancy. Hope arrives in the form of Ivan Vanko (a quietly menacing Mickey Rourke), a Russian scientist burning with both a hate for Stark and the technical know-how to fulfill Hammer’s mercenary desires.
As a whole, if you look real close, the film’s overall narrative doesn’t hold together all that well. But the individual pieces are so delightfully scripted and performed you don’t really notice… or care. Through the first act and right up until the dynamite initial–and very well staged and shot–encounter between Stark and Vanko, everything pops as all the familiar themes and characters effortlessly pick up right where they left off. And while the second act, except for an awkward and surprisingly claustrophobic sequence involving Stark’s birthday party, never ceases to hold your attention and entertain, the structure just isn’t there, nor is the action.
There is a lot going on with the characters, though maybe too much. The relationship between the luscious Pepper Potts and Stark is as Tracy/Hepburn as ever, but the troubling dynamic between Stark and his deceased father feels artificial, especially when it results in the solving (seemingly out of nowhere) of one of Stark’s biggest problems. One area where you do feel the narrative pieces fall satisfactorily into place is with the arrival of Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Much track is laid for the Avenger team Fury’s putting together and you will want to hang around for a post-credit scene.
One area where the sequel improves on the original is with its climax. This time it’s big and lusty and exciting as opposed to rock ‘em sock ‘em robots duking it out on the Hollywood freeway. But back to the lack of lift….
There were three moments in the first “Iron Man” that took my movie-loving breath away. Stark’s initial escape in his crude Iron Man suit, his first flight, and that delicious moment when he figured out that being a superhero means no longer watching helplessly as tragedy plays out on the television. Iron Man flying off to lay waste to those Jihadists terrorizing that village was a moment this country had been collectively waiting for our Hollywood Masters to deliver since the attacks on September 11th.
The best way to describe the sequel is to think about what the original would’ve been like without those moments; worthwhile and fun but far from a classic.
Jon Favreau’s direction and the snappy dialogue, like most of the performances (as Black Widow, Scarlett Johansson is a little in over her head with this cast, but kick some ass she does) are uniformly excellent, and if I haven’t said so before, Robert Downey Jr. is a friggin’ movie star in the very best sense of the word. Is there another actor out there capable of throwing around a character’s rank narcissism and irreverence but never at the expense of sincerity? He’s a marvel to watch, if you’ll pardon the pun.
If anything, this second Iron Man chapter is even more patriotic than the first. The military, as personified by Don Cheadle’s Lt. Col. Rhoades, is treated with utmost respect and Stark’s language about what he’s doing is never qualified with any of that maddening, namby-pamby United NationSpeak that’s plagued every movie made since Bush beat Gore. Stark says with no embarrassment whatsoever that he is “securing America,” and that he’s proud to “serve a great nation.” He even throws a kind word to the Boy Scouts of America. And later, a very funny and not-so-subtle riff on the megalomania surrounding Obama iconography ranks as iconoclastic when compared to what we’re seeing from today’s lockstep film industry.
So go! Have fun. Take the kids. And thank Favreau and company for proving that in the talented hands of those willing you can still make timeless universal themes cool, entertaining, and very profitable.
In the immortal words of Justin Hammer: “God bless Iron Man. God bless America.”
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152 Comments
Mr. Nolte, I always enjoy your reviews so I was wondering about something a little off topic. Are conservatives like Dennis Prager and Brent Bozell unjustly villifying the movie Kick Ass. Mr. Bozell I don't think he has seen the movie because his latest column really bashes it as if he only read the liberal reviewers criticism of the movie. The same with Mr. Prager. I bring this up because your review of Kick Ass was great and I think that you really pointed out why the Hit Girl character is not what the liberal critics are making her out to be. I was just curious about the conservtive dynamic with that movie. Thanks.
Great! For months I've been telling myself not to get too excited based on the trailers (which were almost uniformly awesome), so upon hearing some mixed reviews indicating that "the magic" was gone, my expectations were further tempered. I'm glad to hear Iron Man 2 is not a complete disappointment, and looking forward to seeing it soon as I get the chance!
The whole family's going for Mothers' Day–that's how I roll…and then the kids are cooking dinner. A lovely day is on tap.
Maybe it is only the Hollywood spin, but as I understand it, Downey (with the kick off several years back by Mel Gibson) and Downeys wife, he is off the drugs. The crazy wildness still shows up in his eyes and in his acting, but he is clean and sober. If I am wrong, I will be sorry, but it wont be the first or last time.
RDJ cleaned up his act after years of fighting addiction. Give him some credit! He's a phenomenal actor – much more so than he was in his younger, druggie days.
Yay!
That makes ONE movie I can see in safety. :p
*MissQuinn*
Thank you, Mr. Nolte! (And thank you, Marvel Entertainment and Jon Favreau!)
I've been anticipating and dreading this movie for nearly a year. Anticipating it because the original IRON MAN was my favorite film of the past decade and I want more Starky goodness.
Dreading it because I was afraid the higher-profile project would result in an "edgier" script with the inevitable vulgar digs at Sarah Palin, the TEA Party, or America in general.
Now I can attend without sitting slightly tensed up the whole time, waiting for the slap.
I'll be there.
I dunno… from the previews it kind of looks like it got all Spiderman Three-threed up: too many characters, not enough cohesion. Obviously, I'm still going to see it.
Hmm. I suppose I'm still going to see it, with patriotic stuff. But I'm still EXTREMELY dissappointed in the concept that it takes an Arms Dealer to reveal evil?
How many wars, seriously, in history, have been PROVEN BEYOND a shadow of a doubt to be by arms dealers? I don't personally know of any, beyond superficial conspiracy theories. I do however know of plenty of folks around the world, openly wanting America DEAD. Wanting Isreal wiped off the face of the earth, claiming they'll destroy our navy, and claiming they will enslave our grandchildren (which is us historically speaking).
I mean…. still… really, the villian has to be a salesman? all the threats, all the terror & horrors, all the brutal regimes and slavery and drug pushers and … a salesman? a capitalist salesman? an American capitalist salesman? really?
What they said.
Just want to add my hope that Downey STAYS clean and sober. I don't think I've ever seen anything he's done, but I do wish him well in staying away from the Dark Side.
to stay true to the BigHollywood love affair for both 'Iron Man' and 'Dark Knight' there will be silence here until latest entry is viewed…
Having just seen 'Surrogates' with Bruce Willis- Jonathan Mostow is an always watchable director- and having enjoyed it's 70's 'Futureworld' B-movie vibe, we will see this installment a little quicker so as to be able to offer cogent appraisals amongst the inevitable fanboy hoohah.
But it does at least seem promising. Like in it won't piss us off- and that's at least something…
Well if the Hud liked it… I know you have a special place in your heart for comics like I do, and if a movie based on a comic is liked by you AND Nolte, then I am there.
Well, I can sort of understand why since Justin Hammer is a villain straight from the comic books. Like his film counterpart, he outfitted and funded known supervillains. However in the comics he was international rather than American and much more shadowy and reclusive than his film counterpart. Seems like it always comes back to this, which I can sort of understand. Industrialist baddies like Justin Hammer or Lex Luthor do present a unique challenge to heroes at times, but I can't help but wonder if their true reason for being is because that dirty old leftist jab at capitalism. At least in the case of Iron Man 2 this is balanced out by good, red blooded American capitalist Tony Stark. At least they're showing both sides of the story y'know?
The problem with Spider-Man 3 wasn't simply that there were too many characters… the studio wanted it all and pushed it on Raimi.
Marvel's handling of this should make it perfectly fine. I hope so.
Doubtful. The current Marvel EIC's father died of lung cancer, and he passed an edict that Marvel characters would not be depicted smoking. Not even Wolvie or the Thing at a poker game. I don't know how much say he has with Marvel Studios, but I bet they follow his wishes.
I didn't read the review, as I don't like any potential spoilers or anything- I'd rather go in clear-minded with no expectations as to weak or strong points. That said, I totally expect this to be a great film. Mr. Downey is a very good character actor.
Well, yes… and no.
Do what you want with your money… we're all in favor of that. But I'm not sure anyone is actually saying you'll be patriotic by seeing Iron Man 2… what's more, it's simply going to be fun. And as patriots, we're going to have a blast watching a *comic book film* be unabashedly proud of America and capitalism.
That's a rare event. That's what folks are, in part, excited about. They're also excited to see a hero in a suit of armor beat up bad guys… and Scarlet in tight clothes.
[...] the original post: REVIEW: You’re Going to Love the Imperfect ‘Iron Man 2′ This entry is filed under America – Blogs, Big Hollywood. You can follow any responses to this [...]
[...] REVIEW: You’re Going to Love the Imperfect ‘Iron Man 2′. [...]
Brent Bozell hates a movie if it utters a word more profane than "damn". He railed against South Park for a long time. But we need those people too. Those that draw a line in the sand and try to maintain such a standard. If nobody can be shocked anymore than a lot of fun is lost. I'm not the only one to argue this but I always thought what made Howard Stern entertaining was how he flirted with the line while somehow not crossing it. The pretenders who followed all tended to disappear quickly because they didn't understand the dance. But it was the "Pig Vomits" that actually helped make him funny. Now you can hear him unedited on satellite and I just don't care. The edge is gone. I've not seen Kick Ass yet but it sounds like a little shock value helps carry it too. The Brent Bozell's of the world help hold a line that has a symbiotic relationship with the material in question. And sometimes he is right, sometimes the material is just hacky shock value crap.
More to the point is the fact that this Fury is modeled more after the Ultimate version. Just how often does a character get drawn to look like an actor and that actor then plays the part? You are right about the edict though. I don't know if Joe Q was EIC at the time of the first X-Men movie, however that is a FOX production which Marvel has almost no say in. Iron Man is Marvel Studios and Joe Q's fingers are all over it.
[...] comment on a movie before it comes out, I can’t contain myself with Iron Man 2. Jim Nolte has forced my hand: Though the highly anticipated “Iron Man 2” qualifies as a hilarious, entertaining, irreverent, [...]
Mojo,
Downey's been clean for a while.
A long while.
I mean, you do realize Downey is clean, right?
Hehas gone clean, sober, and fixed himself up.
Finally a fun, action packed movie that doesn't insult the American public, praise our enemies, or peddle the most sick, twisted, and degenerate themes in lieu of quality storyline and innovative drama. I will not only see it, but buy the DVD as well.
[...] Hollywood’s big man John Nolte weighs in on “Iron Man 2,” calling it patriotic and exciting — but he says the movie [...]
Mr. Nolte, I always enjoy your reviews so I was wondering about something a little off topic. Are conservatives like Dennis Prager and Brent Bozell unjustly villifying the movie Kick Ass. Mr. Bozell I don't think he has seen the movie because his latest column really bashes it as if he only read the liberal reviewers criticism of the movie. The same with Mr. Prager. I bring this up because your review of Kick Ass was great and I think that you really pointed out why the Hit Girl character is not what the liberal critics are making her out to be. I was just curious about the conservtive dynamic with that movie. Thanks.
Mr. Nolte, I always enjoy your reviews so I was wondering about something a little off topic. Are conservatives like Dennis Prager and Brent Bozell unjustly villifying the movie Kick Ass. Mr. Bozell I don't think he has seen the movie because his latest column really bashes it as if he only read the liberal reviewers criticism of the movie. The same with Mr. Prager. I bring this up because your review of Kick Ass was great and I think that you really pointed out why the Hit Girl character is not what the liberal critics are making her out to be. I was just curious about the conservtive dynamic with that movie. Thanks.
Hallelujah, a movie we can see!
Darn, I wanted more Jihadi fights!! That scene literally catapulted me out of my seat in a frenzy.
Great! For months I've been telling myself not to get too excited based on the trailers (which were almost uniformly awesome), so upon hearing some mixed reviews indicating that "the magic" was gone, my expectations were further tempered. I'm glad to hear Iron Man 2 is not a complete disappointment, and looking forward to seeing it soon as I get the chance!
This is only going to enable Robert Downey Jr. to do more drugs. But I like Mickey Rourke and his weird new face. Scarlett Johannson makes a really hot redhead.
.
I hope to see it soon, but money and time might mess that up :/
Downey is clean now. Has been so for a few years.
[...] Man 2 kicks ass…according to John Nolte. If anything, this second Iron Man chapter is even more patriotic than the first. The military, as [...]
RDJ cleaned up his act after years of fighting addiction. Give him some credit! He's a phenomenal actor – much more so than he was in his younger, druggie days.
It looks like he came in the same year the film was released. They probably wouldn't have had time to cut his smoking, which Singer might not have been willing to do anyway.
I dunno… from the previews it kind of looks like it got all Spiderman Three-threed up: too many characters, not enough cohesion. Obviously, I'm still going to see it.
Having zero interest in his private life, I didn't know. But it would make little difference. I resile from the comment about being supplied, but that is all. If he had never touched drugs it would make no difference to my views. He's still a spoiled brat, always has been and shows no sign of changing. His characterizations always reek of narcissism (as the review itself acknowledges). His voice is whiny, his face a perpetual mask of self-pity.
Fifty years ago he would have played nothing but sociopaths, as would be fitting.
That said, my sincere thank you for making the effort to respond, and in a respectful way.
Regards,
Jeff
Question re: "lifestyle" P.C.-cleansing — Does Sam Jackson smoke cigars? Because you couldn't open a comic book featuring either Sgt. (with his Howling Commandos) or Col. (later, with S.H.I.E.L.D.) Fury and not see him with a stogie stuffed in his kisser.
RDJ is a conservative. He's not too vocal about it, but he said that his experience in jail made it hard for him to consider himself a liberal anymore. He's a big enough star to get away with that. So I'm not surprised there's no anti-American BS in this film.
I liked it myself
From your statement, I would suppose you're no fan of episodic television, either…
With the right writing, magic is always there…the magic of characters exploring their limits, their capacity to grow and change…to deal with life, and death…
"Uh-oh, another 'Spiderman 3'" is exactly what I thought when I first saw the trailer for this. Loved the first two (and I'm not a superhero-movie guy), but 3 just tried to do too much.
Anyway, "Iron Man" kicked my ass, so I wasn't expecting the sequel to be quite as good, just not an outright disappointment. The reviews I've read so far, including this one, are encouraging.
Watching Iron Man 2 will make me ,"patriotic?" This is just another superhero/comic book movie in a long line of superhero/comic book movies. Well instead of buying movie ticketst for IM2 I'll make my usual donations to the Paralyzed Viet Nam Vets , the USO and the VFW. instead. Less money for those overpaid Hollywood types,correct?
"….contain an unforgettable moment or two that lifts the hair on the back of your neck, pulls you out of your chair, and urges you to stand and cheer…."
The only time I recall cheering in Iron Man was when the film was over and I could leave.
The acting was sub par, the villain way over the top silly, and the "hero" was a cad. *shrugs* Oh well, I guess there were a lot of action scenes if that's what you're into.
Obviously superhero films aren't my sort of films.
Well that's why Hollywood makes things like Angels and Demons…
I too was looking forward to this as I really dug the first one. Seeing a bunch of Islamofacists getting their butts whupped in front of the villagers they so loved to terrorize was just icing on the cake. I get chills to this day watching that scene on DVD. Glad to hear good things about part two, especially that good old fashioned patriotism seems to be full steam ahead in this sequel. Looks like it's the other side's turn to get slapped–and it's about time.
There are different types of conservatives. From all that I've heard of this movie, social conservatives will almost certainly have some major issues with the film, and are probably best to avoid it. I don't read the two above very regularly, so I honestly couldn't speak to what type of conservatives they happen to be. But just because the theme of something is valuable, it doesn't mean the content is, too. If the content of a film is offensive enough, it ruins whatever effect the makers were going for. That may very well be the case in the minds of the two writers above.
I think the movie's a little off. The main villain just isn't there, which is Whiplash and some stuff doesn't make sense.
But having said that, it's sure a fun Summer movie, with all the right material.
Iron Man 2 can be seen by some conservatives as a love letter to the 2nd Amendment and in a way the securing of property rights.
Justin Hammer is an actual Marvel character. He's just like Obadiah Stane. Hammer has tried his whole life to be bettter than Stark but has failed. Hammer is the kind of guy that doesn't care if his weapons end up in the enemies hands and that's why Stark hates him. He secretly works with dictators too. Also Hammer tech is known for not working but Hammer is the only mass weapons producer since Stark stopped. Hammer doesn't care about America. That's why he's a villian.
Not only is he clean and sober for the longest length of time in his life, which is a major accomplishment for him, but you do have to consider the source of his addiction, too. His parents decided that getting their 10-year-old high was hilarious. The younger you are when you become addicted to those types of substances, the harder it will be for you to quit later. Studies have shown that's true with nearly every type of substance abuse. Mr. Downey is certainly responsible for his own actions, especially as he got older and (supposedly) more mature, but addiction can be a very powerful thing. When you think you have it beat, it can come back and kick your behind all over again. Luckily for him, it seems he has a permanent support system around him now, so hopefully he'll be able to beat it once and for all. It's not our place to judge the person. We can dislike the behavior, and condemn that all we want, but once it gets personal, it's time to step back and look at our own flaws first.
The problem with Spider-Man 3 wasn't simply that there were too many characters… the studio wanted it all and pushed it on Raimi.
Marvel's handling of this should make it perfectly fine. I hope so.
Skimmed the article since I don't want to know anything going in, but it's good to see a positive review. One guy is really, really laying into the film, saying it's a piece of garbage. I felt bad, until he revealed that he hated Spider-Man 2. Grain of salt needed.
I didn't read the review, as I don't like any potential spoilers or anything- I'd rather go in clear-minded with no expectations as to weak or strong points. That said, I totally expect this to be a great film. Mr. Downey is a very good character actor.
I have had the opportunity to see an advanced screening of Iron Man 2; as "picky" movie-goer, I found it to be no different than the first film – no better, but no worse.
The phrase, "The magic is gone" defines the perception of these Sequels (which was applied to Transformers 2, etc.). The key realization is that we have, esstentially, already seen these films. The first films were our first experiences seeing these characters on the big screen, whereas the sequels essentially feel like an extension of the first film because they dont being anything new, psychologically or emotionally.
Well, yes… and no.
Do what you want with your money… we're all in favor of that. But I'm not sure anyone is actually saying you'll be patriotic by seeing Iron Man 2… what's more, it's simply going to be fun. And as patriots, we're going to have a blast watching a *comic book film* be unabashedly proud of America and capitalism.
That's a rare event. That's what folks are, in part, excited about. They're also excited to see a hero in a suit of armor beat up bad guys… and Scarlet in tight clothes.
So far as anyone knows, RDJ is cleaned up. I certianly hope he stays that way because he's one of the better actors out there.
So far as anyone knows, RDJ is cleaned up. I certianly hope he stays that way because he's one of the better actors out there.
It's too bad Sammy Jackson is stinking this movie up, couldn't he just go back to D.C. and be another radical there?
It's too bad Sammy Jackson is stinking this movie up, couldn't he just go back to D.C. and be another radical there?
Fair enough…
And he was AWESOME then. Chaplin, anyone? Oscar nominated.
I thought Wolverine smoked in at least the first X-Men movie.
RDjr is a very good actor; it's a pleasure to watch him as the characters he creates.
RDjr is a very good actor; it's a pleasure to watch him as the characters he creates.
Literally? I would've paid to see that.
Literally? I would've paid to see that.
okay i feel a bit better… but… ya know… lotta motha funkers out there doing hellabad… be nice to let our kids know about them, and to know we have to fight them.
be great if they added a journalist in there that SUPPORTS the villian and their genocides too like Walter Duranty in the 30s writing about Stalin for the NYTimes! now that would make a rather vicious lil squirmy villian!
As a lifelong comic book fan my reaction to this, as to the first one is: yawn. No movie where the psychopathic Robert Downey, Jr is cast as a hero could possibly be worth paying to see. The trailers confirm my suspicion. If there is more smarmy, overrated piece of acting trash working in films today, he would be hard to find. Every facial movement of his telegraphs one message overwhelmingly: "See, I am putting it all over on all of you. And you are paying me boatloads of money to do it. Thanks for keeping me supplied and out of jail."
Just can't bring myself to do it. I'm still mad as hell at Marvel- especially with the casting news coming out about the Thor movie.
Just can't bring myself to do it. I'm still mad as hell at Marvel- especially with the casting news coming out about the Thor movie.
So good to hear, John. There is no film reviewer I trust more. I can't wait to get to the multiplex this weekend.
" … never qualified with any of that maddening, namby-pamby United NationSpeak that’s plagued every movie made since Bush beat Gore."
Except for The Transformers.
And great review, John!
Fantastic review. Sounds like a fun movie.
Mojo,
Downey's been clean for a while.
A long while.
Jeff,
Downey has been clean for a good while.
Great line: "Is there another actor out there capable of throwing around a character’s rank narcissism and irreverence but never at the expense of sincerity?"
Wow, where did you see this. I am always fascinated when people switch over from the dark side. I have to say that Iron Man helped me to like RDJ. Watching him destroy himself with drugs was so sad, I hope he can keep clean.
“I have a really interesting political point of view, and it’s not always something I say too loud at dinner tables here, but you can’t go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal. You can’t. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone else, but it was very, very, very educational for me and has informed my proclivities and politics every since.”
That's the quote.
“I have a really interesting political point of view, and it’s not always something I say too loud at dinner tables here, but you can’t go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal. You can’t. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone else, but it was very, very, very educational for me and has informed my proclivities and politics every since.”
That's the quote.
Thanks. Is there more to this in the interview or is it just this quick comment?
It won't make you more patriotic, just feel more patriotic! lol
It won't make you more patriotic, just feel more patriotic! lol
You probably were looking for a troll funny…sorry you didn't get it, (not)…
RDJ has someone with him at all times, by his own admission…so he won't go off the rails…
Quote:
“I have a really interesting political point of view, and it’s not always something I say too loud at dinner tables here, but you can’t go from a $2,000-a-night suite at La Mirage to a penitentiary and really understand it and come out a liberal. You can’t. I wouldn’t wish that experience on anyone else, but it was very, very, very educational for me and has informed my proclivities and politics every since.” …
Maybe we should send you and the rest of the trolls there…
A lot more…you can Google the original sources for the pull quotes…I saw mine on Catholic Forums…
billc,
Going in with high hopes, I just caught an afternoon matinee of Kick-Ass. I'm sad to report that it's a morally incoherent and unsatisfying mess, just like Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds was. There was hardly a moment that wasn't predictable ten minutes in advance, hardly a budding bit of audience emotion or goodwill that wasn't urinated on in the next shot, and hardly a developing plot arc that wasn't either unceremoniously forgotten midstream or solved with the usual deus ex machina Hollywood cliche.
Violence and swearing certainly have their place in certain films, but here it's all cheap overkill, much like it was in Tarantino's Kill Bill (and just like with that film, Kick-Ass (ab)uses some classic Ennio Morricone music in an attempt to lay claim to a bloody mantle it hasn't earned). All of the f-words and c-words and severed limbs and exploding skulls feel like a video game with no emotional investment — just another pale, exhausted attempt to get the audience drunk on shock and sensation so they don't mind the stupidity of the script. Roger Ebert popularized the notion of the Idiot Plot: a story held together only by virtue of everyone acting like a complete idiot. Kick-Ass has good guys and bad guys falling into obvious traps and failing to ask obvious questions. Even the comic-book geek talk is lame watered-down banter compared to, say, the various bizarre discussions in Clerks.
Worst of all, there's the creepy realization — permeating far too many Hollywood films these days — that none of the characters on the screen are human beings, they're just empty vessels designed to serve an outrageous plot. It's the kind of movie where a mother's death is treated as a throwaway sight-gag, and where countless acts of mass-murder and mayhem evoke not a whisper of worry from the surrounding populace or police.
At base, Kick-Ass (like Inglorious Basterds) had a promising premise, and in select moments you get a glimpse of the gem it could have been. If they had dropped all the profanity, scaled down the violence and superheroics to remotely plausible levels, not killed off their most well-realized and sympathetic character, dropped the entire pretend-he's-gay-to-get-close-to-hot-girl subplot, dreamed up better villains than the usual Italian gangster rent-a-mob, and been truly reverent about superhero myths and intelligent about superhero cliches, then it might have amounted to something along the lines of the first Spy Kids, and Americans would have come out in droves. As is, it's simply marking another step in the decline of Hollywood as a cultural institution.
Wow…are you serious…?
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: "Tony, you know that I would help you with anything, but I cannot help you if you're going to start all this again."
Tony Stark: "There is nothing except this. There's no art opening, no charity, nothing to sign. There's the next mission, and nothing else…"
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: "Is that so? Well, then I quit."
Tony Stark: "You stood by my side all these years while I reaped the benefits of destruction. Now that I'm trying to protect the people I've put in harm's way, you're going to walk out?"
Virginia 'Pepper' Potts: "You're going to kill yourself, Tony. I'm not going to be a part of it."
Tony Stark: "I shouldn't be alive…unless it was for a reason. I'm not crazy, Pepper. I just finally know what I have to do. And I know in my heart that it's right…"
Sorry, Mago…for once, in a LONG time, someone put into a film something worth hearing and seeing…
I saw this in New Zealand the day before it opened here with my very liberal gf who tolerates my geeky impulses. We both loved it tho I think we both liked Kick Ass a little more. Iron Man was a fun popcorn movie ( well we had doughnuts instead ), even when there was no action the acting and dialouge keep you in the movie and entertained. The bit with Captain America's sheild was a fun suprise.
I saw this in New Zealand the day before it opened here with my very liberal gf who tolerates my geeky impulses. We both loved it tho I think we both liked Kick Ass a little more. Iron Man was a fun popcorn movie ( well we had doughnuts instead ), even when there was no action the acting and dialouge keep you in the movie and entertained. The bit with Captain America's sheild was a fun suprise.
Um, did I just give away a suprise ? =(
Sorry about that.
The guy was a literal cad. I about wanted to hop into the screen and slap him myself. Sorry, not interested.
Between that glaring issue, the cartoonish bad guy (I swear he came right out of Looney Tunes), and the over the top junk science, I was laughing throughout most of the film. Which is fine, for entertainment. But to set it up as something deeper? It was an action film guys, nothing more.
From your statement, I would suppose you're no fan of episodic television, either…
With the right writing, magic is always there…the magic of characters exploring their limits, their capacity to grow and change…to deal with life, and death…
Not necessarily — there's a very subtle joke involving the same thing in the first movie.
Well that's why Hollywood makes things like Angels and Demons…
Well that's why Hollywood makes things like Angels and Demons…
Thomas Lee Cook brings up a good point. Hammer is not the villain because he's a "patriotic American", rather because he's a self-serving, conniving worm who's in bed with criminals and terrorists–the polar opposite of everything America stands for. If anything, Hammer shares more in common with the selfish, underdeveloped adults that comprise the left.
I like your journalist idea by the way. Too bad the closest I've ever seen a connection between the media and an industrialist supervillain is when they make jabs at Fox news, i.e. "Lex News" in DC comics. ::rolls eyes::
Robert Downey Jr is babelicious. Even Jon Favreau has a weird sort of sex appeal. Thank goodness there are some real men still left in Hollywood.
Glad to see this review and know that there are no liberal sucker punches.
Glad to hear that not only did RDJ clean up, but that he probably considers himself more right than left – he saw reality and woke up. Many of us did that.
And I'm glad of all of that for another reason – he is such an awesome actor. Everything he does is just wonderful.
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