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Category: Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure

“I am Iron Man. The suit and I are one.” – Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.)

See that thing in my chest? Those things can kill you...

As the comic pages turn to reveal the famed Marvel Logo, we hear the voice of Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and gradually news snippets of him flubbing through his Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division (S.H.I.E.L.D.) cover story before announcing to the world that he is indeed Iron Man.

It is breaking news that reaches millions of viewers worldwide.

Some respond in cheers, while others with questions.

But to disgraced and dying physicist Anton Vanko (Yevgeni Lazarev), it represents yet another reminder of what should have been his legacy, and not that of the Stark family.

Anton Vanko passes, but not before leaving his son—physicist Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke)—with the knowledge necessary to bring the Stark legacy to its knees.

The opening credits roll as Anton proceeds to create a miniature arc reactor based on the 1960’s designs of Anton Vanko and Tony’s father, Howard Stark (John Slattery).

Six months pass…

I'd like a double cheese burger and hold the lettuce...

Set six months after the events of Iron Man, a number of themes have been set into motion by Director Jon Favreau and screenwriter Justin Theroux.  Among them are Tony’s failing health (a fallout of the crippled arc reactor technology that stops shrapnel imbedded in his chest from reaching his heart), his increasing dependence on alcohol as a short-term solution to pain, flippant behavior that he deems philanthropical (e.g., donating his entire art collection) or stimulating (e.g., deciding to drive his Grand Prix race car minutes before the start of the Monte Carlo race), the ascension of Virginia “Pepper” Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) as CEO of Stark Industries, the pilfering of the Mark II armor by Lt. Col James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) and its evolution into the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit known as War Machine, the laughable and youthful antagonist in Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), S.H.I.E.L.D. undercover agent Natalia Romanova a.k.a. The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), and the expanding roles of Colonel Nicholas Joseph “Nick” Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and surprisingly driver Happy Hogan (Director Jon Favreau) who got about five or six big scenes in this sequel.

Hey! It pays to be the king!

This is just for starters.

Enjoy the movie guys!

I’ll flesh this out in the coming days!

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Now playing: AC/DC – Back In Black
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Category: Movies
Genre: Animation

It’s a “streamline” origin story.- Timster

Longtime “shell head” fans may not be open to this interpretation of their tin hero

And my bro was right.

However, longtime “shell head” fans may not be open to this interpretation of their tin hero and would most likely be abhorrently disappointed with the incorporation of James “Rhodey” Rhodes (voiced superbly by Rodney Saulsberry) into Tony Stark’s figurative transformation into Iron Man (voiced by Marc Worden who is no stranger to the role of Tony Stark/Iron Man with 2006’s Ultimate Avengers and Ultimate Avengers II under his belt.), The Mandarin’s power rings (or lack of), and the disgusting convenience and progression of the Mark01 armor as well as Tony’s other proverbial “toys for the big boys.”

Overall, it was entertaining—despite the potential gaff in interpreting the Chinese “demon elementals” as Western elements (air, earth, fire, and water instead of earth, fire, metal, water, and wood), I have nothing but praise for the voice actors as I believe Gwendoline Yeo (voiced Li Mei), Fred Tatasciore (The Mandarin), John McCook (Howard Stark), Elisa Gabrielli (Virginia ‘Pepper’ Pots) and the aforementioned Saulsberry and Worde played their roles to the hilt.

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Category: Movies
Genre: Action & Adventure

“The Avengers Initiative.” – Nicholas Joseph Fury (Samuel L. Jackson)

I work best in seclusion...

He’s the cool exec…With a heart of steel…

45 years ago, the quartet of Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby came up with the concept of Iron Man.

The Invincible Iron Man.

An ordinary man wielding the power of a suit with seemingly limitless power.

A second skin, which makes its user more than just an ordinary man.

An idea that was born out of necessity and the dream of freedom.

The vision of a one Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark.

The former harbinger of death is now the champion of the oppressed as he seeks to save the innocent from the weapons which he created.

Tony Stark said, “Not everyone is given second chances.”

And with those words—he has found his purpose.

L to R: James Rhodes (Terrence Howard), Virginia "Pepper" Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), Anthony "Tony" Stark (Robert Downey, Jr.) and Obadiah Stane (Jeff Bridges)

Behind the scenes

Advances in technology, a director’s artistic vision, and actors who have embraced their roles have brought old “shell head” and the world of Tony Stark to life.

At first, I had my doubts when Robert Downey, Jr.—a recovered substance user—was cast as Iron Man/Tony Stark (who is an alcoholic). But these fears were quickly put to rest in the first few minutes as he really made me believe that he was Tony Stark.

Gwyneth Paltrow’s portrayal of Virginia “Pepper” Potts was also excellent as she was able to portray Potts loyalty to Stark.

And Jeff Bridges as the film’s antagonist—Obadiah Stane. Man, I didn’t even recognize him at first with his shaved head and full beard. He brought out the best in his character: a true villain. A maniacal seed of evil.

Overall, this film didn’t need the $50 million dollars that Marvel and Paramount Pictures forked over to market the film.

They didn’t have too.

45 years of Marvel fans would attest to that.

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Now playing: AC/DC – Back In Black
via FoxyTunes