“It was my understanding that I was going to be testifying in a much more comprehensive and detailed manner.”
Iron Man 2 for me, is the first ‘out-of-context’ MCU film.
At the time the film did more than enough to cement the burgeoning universe, but found itself lacking.
Underused villains, retread themes, and avoiding the touted-at-the-time use of the ‘Demon In A Bottle’ storyline saw Iron Man 2 strain under its new suit.
But the cure Tony Stark appeared to be looking for, was time.
With the world now aware that he is Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from all sides to share his technology with the military.
He is reluctant to divulge the secrets of his armored suit, fearing the information will fall into the wrong hands.
With Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) by his side, Tony must forge new alliances and confront a powerful new enemy.
I remember not being a fan the first time I watched Iron Man 2.
I felt like it shot into the air like the first films test flight; Propelling itself through the same dramatic elements as the former.
Flashier suits and rudimentary villains dance like Sam Rockwell‘s feet, but I had trouble finding the rhythm.
Then all the films released after Iron Man 2 did something.
They contextualized the minutia of development that occurred.
From Tony’s first attempt at the transforming armour, to his relationship with Pepper; Rhodey taking up the War Machine mantle and SHIELD settling into their administrative role; The involvement of Howard Stark in SHIELD through to mixtures of plot elements from the comics, Iron Man 2 really has it all.
It’s astounding to see how much impact this film had over the character moving forward without us realising it.
Along with the introduction of Scarlett Johansson‘s Black Widow, Iron Man 2 goes from glass half-full to a full on glass of fun.
And I would gladly drink that up.
