The sequel picks up pretty much where the original left off. The world knows that Tony Stark is Iron Man, and he is loving it. His ego is getting bigger by the day, what with "the Iron Man weapon" bringing world peace and all. But all of that bravado is covering up a sobering fact — the palladium in the arc reactor that is keeping his heart beating, is also slowly killing him. Oh no! Unless he finds a new element to replace it, well, not so good.
All of this is complicated by A) the government trying to get its grubby hands on the Iron Man weapon (they have no respect for private property), B) a disgruntled, sweaty, electric whip-wielding Russian (Mickey Rourke) with an ax to grind against the Stark family, and C) a weasle-ly defense contractor wannabe that only dreams that he was Tony Stark.
Phew. Iron man 2 flirts dangerously close to succumbing to the Spiderman 3 syndrome — too many characters and too many plot lines. Fortunately, it doesn't cross that line. A strong cast and some good banter between the lead actors help keep the film engaging, although there is a stretch about half way through the movie that was really lacking some action. No to worry — the final showdown pays off, and is well-worth the wait.
It's hard to imagine anyone else but Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark — he's perfect in the role. One of the requirements of a lead actor in a superhero film as that they should make you feel like it would be very cool to be them, and/or the superhero, and Downey does that. All of the other key players return from the first film, as well as a few new ones. Gwyneth Paltrow, Samuel L. Jackson, Jon Favreau — they're all there (all except Terrence Howard, who was replaced be Don Cheadle). I was concerned that Scarlett Johansson was somewhat a waste as Black Widow, but her fights scenes later in the movie did not disappoint. And Mickey Rourke is more than sufficient as the perpetually greasy Ivan Vanko, A.K.A. Backlash.
All in all, a familiar phrase can be used to describe Iron Man 2 — pretty good, but not as good as the original. Nevertheless, I say "Go."
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Given my enthusiasm for old-school country music, (Hank and Johnny, not Garth and Billy Ray) I've been looking forward to Crazy Heart. The subject matter is right up my alley, and I had heard much about this darkhorse film that seemed to come out of nowhere in late 2009.
Featuring his Oscar-winning performance, the film stars Jeff Bridges as Otis "Bad" Blake, a washed-up, 58 year-old alcoholic country singer. Hmm ... sounds like a country song right there. Bad is the definition of 'down on your luck'. He's been reduced to driving himself around the southwest in his beat up truck, crashing in shady motels and playing gigs at bowling alleys for a small, but faithful group of fans and barflys.
His fortunes begin to change when he is interviewed by a local reporter, Jane Craddock (Maggie Gyllenhaal). In their brief meeting, there is a chemistry between them that leads to them meeting again, and well, yada yada. Their May-December relationship is the beginning of Bad's personal redemption. An offer to be the opening act for a former protégé that has hit the big time, Tommy Sweet, (Colin Farrell) is the beginning of his professional redemption.
Overall, I enjoyed Crazy Heart, but it is not without its flaws. I never felt that it was clear why Jane was interested (and interested so quickly) in Bad Blake. Why would a successful, 30s-ish single mom be attracted to a, let's be honest, old, disgusting drunk? I was hoping that as the relationship developed that there would be some real insight to this, but no such luck. It just never got out of the Creepy Zone for me.
Having said that, Crazy Heart has some big pluses. Bridges is great. The story is not new here, but he takes the part and runs with it — I believed that he was Bad. Without his performance, this is a pretty average movie. And part of that performance is the music. He did his own singing and playing, and I have to say that he was better than most of what I usually see on the CMA Awards. The songs are strong too, thanks to the late Stephen Bruton, and T-Bone Burnett (O Brother Where Art Thou?). Robert Duvall shows up later in the film as Wayne, a true-to-the-end friend that seems to have stood by Bad during the good and bad times.
And speaking of Duvall, Crazy Heart has been compared to 1983's Tender Mercies, another film about a washed up country singer. Some say that it is a superior film, so I'll have to check it out and let you know.
Crazy Heart is not for the kiddies, so be advised. Drunken country singers tend to cuss a lot. if the subject matter appeals to you, and/or you are a fan of Jeff Bridges, you may want to check this one out. If not, you've been warned. I say "Go."
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