| CultureWatchDVD Review - Iron Man 2 |
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More than just an action fantasy, this sequel raises issues of identity and integrity, writes Holly Price  “I am Iron Man.” With these few words Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr) ego skyrockets. But there is one family that does not applaud the inventor’s televised confession. When Anton Vanko (Yevgeni Lazarev), exiled co-creator of Iron Man’s energy source, tells his son Ivan (Mickey Rourke) “That should be you,” a supervillain is born. As vengeance steadily bubbles up in Ivan, Tony oozes self-confidence: “I’m not saying I’m responsible for this country’s longest run of uninterrupted peace in 35 years! . . . It’s not about me. It’s not about you. It’s about legacy.” The state demands control of the suit, but Tony insists that he and Iron Man are one. It certainly seems as if Tony wants this legacy to be all about him, and being a billionaire and Iron Man, he needs answer to no one. In spite of its long, suited battle scenes and a few too many new allies and enemies, this slick franchise survives, thanks to its own energy source, Downey Jr. “In a refreshing and unexpected turn the sequel to Iron Man doesn’t find a changed man,” notes former Marvel-Comics writer Frank Lovece in Film Journal International. “ Inside the metal, imperfect humanity grows even more so, as thought-provoking questions of identity meet techno-fantasy made flesh.” What defines Tony Stark? The sequel affords a more textured portrayal of Tony as his public persona diverges from his private one. Tony’s bravado magnificently conceals an inner battle, even from his two friends: the arc reactor that sustains his strength and life is slowly poisoning him. Facing death and Ivan’s threat to expose this weakness, he turns instead to reckless drinking, parties and publicity stunts. Stark has met his match in Ivan, in more ways than one. Their fathers have made these men what they are: intelligent, arrogant and lost. Tony remembers his father as distant and heartless, while Ivan is burdened with the task of avenging his father’s unjust grudge. Both Howard Stark (John Slattery) and Anton put their legacy before the son they bestowed it upon.  “If you can make God bleed, people will cease to believe in him,” Ivan shrewdly tells Tony. Iron Man is Tony Stark, and so this superhero is riddled with human frailty and fickleness. Tony Stark is Iron Man, but it is the realisation that he is also friend and son that in the end saves his life. Iron Man 2 is now available on Blu-Ray and DVD Holly Price, Damaris Damaris is an educational charity which seeks to relate Christian faith and popular culture |
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