Iron Man 2 (2010)

A testosterone-fueled romp, full of battles, races, property damage, kick ass metal music, and curvaceous babes, this is a fun summer action movie. Geek-pleasing gadgets and special effects, lead character Tony Stark's charming arrogance, sidekick Pepper Potts' empowerment, and many more elements are why this is still #4 at the box office three weeks after its release. 

We saw this on a double date with Sally and Mike, and Sally likes to say, "I could watch Robert Downey Jr. read the phone book." He gives his all to the role of the conflicted Tony (I last wrote about Downey, son of the director of the iconic and hilarious Putney Swope (1969), in The Soloist). Pepper, played by the talented and decidedly uncurvy Gwyneth Paltrow (many to choose--I pick her Oscar-winning Shakespeare in Love (1998), Sliding Doors (1998), The Royal Tenenbaums (2001), The Anniversary Party (2001) (she didn't do all that much--I just love that movie), and Running with Scissors (2006); can't say that I loved Two Lovers) has more to do here than in the first Iron Man (2008). 

Scarlett Johansson (favorites are The Horse Whisperer (1998), Ghost World (2001), Lost in Translation (2003), Match Point (2005), and Vicky Cristina Barcelona), on the other hand, can fill out a black leather catsuit to perfection. Sam Rockwell (I wrote about him in the undeservedly under-seen Moon) is a funny Justin Hammer, and Micky Rourke plays a villain who might have come from the imagination of his Randy "The Ram" Robinson from The Wrestler--same long hair, metal teeth, and shirtlessness, but with taut muscles, cunning, and a Russian accent. The Wrestler had a lot of metal music, too. 

Other supporting cast members include Don Cheadle (amazing in Devil in a Blue Dress (1995), Boogie Nights (1997), Traffic (2000), Crash (2004), Hotel Rwanda (2004), and Talk to Me (2007)) whose massive talent is somewhat underutilized, Samuel L. Jackson (deservedly Oscar-nominated for Pulp Fiction (1994), he was wonderful in so many--my faves are Eve's Bayou (1997), Jackie Brown (1997), The Red Violin (1998), Black Snake Moan (2006), Lakeview Terrace, Soul Men, and he went uncredited for the same role, Nick Fury, in the first Iron Man), Clark Gregg (I wrote about him in Choke), Garry Shandling (It's Garry Shandling's Show, The Larry Sanders Show) as the Senator, and the requisite cameo by 87 year old Marvel comics writer Stan Lee (when the TV announcer says, "Larry King," and you can see that it's not Larry King, it's Stan Lee). The voice of Jarvis is Paul Bettany. 

Director Jon Favreau (also an actor, he had a few small roles before co-starring in Swingers (1996) with Vince Vaughn, then some bigger roles, then directed Made (2001), again co-starring with Vaughn, and went on to direct the first Iron Man) plays Hogan the driver. Justin Theroux, (actor in Six Feet Under and many movies, co-writer of Tropic Thunder) adapted the comic for the screen.

Thanks to reelsoundtrack for the entire song list and videos. The soundtrack music, by John Debney (of his 136 credits I choose Dick (1999), Bruce Almighty (2003), Evan Almighty, and Duma (2005)) is wonderful, too, and two clips are on the reelsoundtrack link above. Here are some more.

Wait for it! There is a bonus at the very very end. We had a good time with this and, if you think you will, you will, too.