Having arrived late to the 7:30p screening (actually, I think I arrived on time; the movie started without me!), I was relegated to the first row (damn it!) of the IMAX showing.  It was here that I thought, “shit, this is only going to ruin the flick even more for me.”  I was wrong.  After having settled into my seat, neck craned and eyes focused, I was quickly swept into the world of Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) and Iron Man.

Not having seen the first Iron Man (what?! Yes, shoot me), I wasn’t able to compare and contrast the two films and see whether or not this was as worthy or better than the first.  I’m sure the fanboys out there will write up their dissertations regardless.  I, for one, enjoyed it nonetheless.

It’s a simple plot, really.  Stark’s a genius playboy-arms-dealer-turned-super-hero who has a weapon the U.S. government wants.  But, he doesn’t want to give; giving the Iron Man suit to the U.S. government would be akin to giving himself to the U.S. Government.  It would be either endentured servitude or slavery, as he says.  Whatever.  He’s not having it.  At the same time, his competition, Justin Hammer (Rockwell), is trying to win over the government with his less-than-stellar (and non-working) robot suits. 

Then along comes the new baddy; Ivan Vanko (Rourke), AKA Whiplash.  A Russian physicist with a past, he sets out to take down Stark.  When he fails, he is recruited by Hammer to not only finish the job, but to get the U.S. contract he so desparately wants.

Iron Man 2 is, without a doubt, a fun film.  It has the action and excitement for the kiddies and Scarlett Johansson for the rest of us.  Okay, so the excitement can be enjoyed by all.  I have to commend Mr. Favreau for being able to deliver; it’s a superhero delight.  Robert Downey Jr. was born for this role.  He owns it.  His attitude, timing and delivery are so spot on.  And what film isn’t better without Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury)?  It’s fun, fun, fun. 

It seems, after conferring with my comic book-reading friends, Iron Man 2 is something of a set up for things to come (*cough* Avengers 2012 Josh Whedon *cough*).  The clues were everywhere (I only caught a few).  And, you didn’t hear it from me, but you should stay until the very end.. I mean, the end of the credits.  There is a huge clue that will get the fans a talking. 

So, stop by the multiplex with your BFF, grab a soda and some popcorn and stap yourself in to a decent ride.  It’s a sequel, folks, and a good one at that.