May 10, 2010 -- You've got your serious movies, your dramas, your costume dramas, your art films, your comedies, your action films, etc. In the summer time (O.K., it isn't quite summer just yet, but work with me here) you've got your summer action movies, also known as popcorn movies. The original “Iron Man” movie was a near-perfect popcorn movie, with better-than-average character development, excellent acting and naturally, plenty of action. This year, summer starts early with “Iron Man 2” which is not as good as the original, but it is still a good popcorn movie. The acting is still above-average, but the story is a little weaker this time around and character development, the strong suit of the first film, has vanished completely this time around. The action is still solid, however.

Robert Downey Jr., who has recently morphed from more of a character actor type to an action hero leading man in both “Iron Man” movies as well as “Sherlock Holmes,” after some substance abuse problems threatened to derail his career, is very good as Tony Stark, the genius inventor of the Iron Man battle suit. This film finds Tony battling the government over ownership of his armored suit. The Pentagon wants it. Compounding his problems is a new nemesis, Ivan Vanko, yet another genius inventor. Vanko wants to kill Tony because of what Tony's dad did to Vanko's dad, or some other such nonsense. This is a very weak kind of plot device one expects from cheap horror films. I think it was used in one of the “Scream” sequels. Give me a break.

Fortunately, Vanko is played by Mickey Rourke of “The Wrestler,” who is so effective you tend forget the motivations for his character's actions are third-rate crap. In this kind of movie, you want a villain who is threatening, and Vanko is all that. You can just see that malevolence oozing out from under that tattoo-covered creepy cunning and his camouflage of awkward charm and broken English. It is a very powerful performance. It reminds me a bit of Heath Ledger's performance as The Joker in The Dark Knight.

Also in the mix is Sam Rockwell of “Moon,” who plays Justin Hammer, a competitor in the arms industry who desperately wants to get the best of Tony Stark, so desperate he aligns himself with Vanko. Scarlett Johansson of “Vicky Cristina Barcelona” appears in this film as a kind of super secret agent working for a mysterious agency headed by Nick Fury (played by Samuel L. Jackson, reprising his role from the first film). Gweneth Paltrow returns as Pepper Potts. Jon Favreau of “I Love You Man” returns in a nice performance as the comic sidekick Happy Hogan. Clark Gregg returns as the stolid Agent Coulson. Don Cheadle, a fine actor, replaces Terrence Howard as Lt. Col. James 'Rhodey' Rhodes, and makes the character stronger. This character was weak in the first film, but is strong in the second film. Garry Shandling of “What Planet Are You From?” is an unusual choice to play a shady senator, but is effective in the role.

While the plot of the film is weak, the acting is good, although with so many characters it is tough for any of the actors to get enough screen time. The pace of the film is a little uneven, due to some extended non-action sequences, but the action scenes are handled very well. There is a whole subplot involving Pepper Potts taking over Stark Industries and Tony Stark dying, all of which is totally unconvincing. The only thing that's very convincing is you get the idea these people are having a lot of fun playing tough guys and gals, driving fast cars and messing around with high-tech combat toys. Typical popcorn film, except for the huge budget. This film rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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