IRON MAN 2: Still Fun, Slight Step Down, 7/10

Don’t worry, no spoilers.

I recall an interview with Jon Favreau shortly after he signed on as director on Iron Man 2 where he acknowledged the trend of superhero sequels surpassing their originals. A superhero sequel has its world, characters, and rules firmly in place and can jump into a meatier story without the necessary exposition. Popular consensus agrees with this, evident in the favorable opinions of sequels such as X2, Spider-Man 2, and The Dark Knight. So, point blank, did Favreau successfully continue this tradition? No, unfortunately Iron Man 2 proves not to be as enjoyable as the original. Make no mistake, the film is good, but comes up short when compared to part one.

Iron Man 2 picks up shortly after the original concluded. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), fresh from revealing himself as the title character has helped move the world toward peace. Of course, things go south for Stark as he’s faced with opposition from a competing arms dealer (Sam Rockwell), a vengeful Russian stranger (Mickey Rourke), and an investigation by the United States Senate.

The stars of the first Iron Man have mentioned how the script was never really completed which resulted in a lot of improv and on-the-spot decision making. If that was the case, the film’s narrative success is especially amazing and a true credit to Favreau’s direction. Two years later, we have a script by Tropic Thunder scripe Justin Theroux, but the results are more mixed. Despite taking some inspiration from the character’s most interesting tale (“Demon in a Bottle”), Iron Man 2 features a plot that isn’t entirely interesting and surprisingly filled with long lulls particularly in the second act.

The original Iron Man relaunched Robert Downey Jr.’s career and provided him with a character perfectly suited to his persona. For the sequel, Downey doesn’t miss a beat and is clearly the film’s highlight. Tony Stark is the perfect showcase for Downey to ooze his charisma and charm. Gwyneth Paltrow also returns and brings more or less the same warmth as before. Don Cheadle replaces Terrance Howard as James Rhodes but is surprisingly underwhelming. I initially favored the recast but after watching both films, I may have been mistaken. Scarlett Johansson is convincing as Stark’s tough new assistant while Sam Rockwell gets to have some fun, reminiscent of his roles in Galaxy Quest and Charlie’s Angels. As the main baddie, Mickey Rourke does menace well but is underused.

Favreau’s direction is solid like the first despite not really advancing or trying anything new. The action set pieces (of which their are surprisingly few for a sequel) are all executed well, with only the climactic battle being a disappointment. Despite replacing original composer Ramin Djawadi with John Debney, the score for this sequel remains just as forgettable.

In the end, Iron Man 2 is a good way to spend two hours on a Saturday night. Despite being weaker than its predecessor, the film is still a fitting example of solid summer entertainment. Hopefully, for the inevitable Iron Man 3, Marvel Studios won’t impose as quick a production schedule and allow more time to be devoted to the script. However, the foreseeable future of Marvel release dates seems to show this likely isn’t probable.

DATE NIGHT: Fun and forgettable, 6/10

Films often exist in two categories: The prestige “serious” ones and others labeled “popcorn” flicks. Date Night is clearly a member of the latter category, but that’s nothing to be ashamed of. The film only aims to entertain it’s audience and for the bulk of its expedient 88 minute runtime, it succeeds.

Steve Carell and Tina Fey star as Phil and Claire Foster, a married couple who thanks to a case of mistaken identity, are thrust into running for their lives from New York’s crime underworld. The two must clear their names before they wind up swimming with the fishes.

The script isn’t groundbreaking, but moves at a fast pace that keeps us engaged enough. Most everything in the film is ludicrous, but the Carell/Fey tag team keeps us interested and stick with the characters.

If Date Night had featured two weaker stars, the film could have easily been a mess. Thankfully, Steve Carell and Tina Fey rise to the occasion and give the project their all. Truthfully, the script is on a lower standard than what the two get to work with on Thursday nights. Also, the romantic chemistry between the characters isn’t entirely convincing. Still, the committed work of Carell and Fey makes the film fun to watch. In addition, the surprising supporting cast of cameos also helps the film.

Shawn Levy is not known as an impressive auteur. He is certainly capable of putting together a studio film, but none of his past works (i.e. Cheaper by the Dozen, Night at the Museum and its sequel) inspire anything above that. With Date Night, Levy’s track record continues. The film is competently assembled but never strives to be anything more than a quick popcorn flick. Levy’s handling of action is a mostly clunky, except for a chase sequence involving the Foster’s car and a Taxi which is the film’s highlight.

Date Night is not a great movie, but it’s not a bad one either. The film would undoubtedly fall in the middle-of-road category were it not for its two stars. Carell and Fey enhance the pedestrian script with their comic skill and come out carrying the film on their shoulders. Not worth going out of your way to see, but as a Saturday night rental, you could do a lot worse.