Iron Man II thoughts
May. 10th, 2010 11:16 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
seren_ccdFirst off, I think I need to see it again.
I will be the first to admit that I was very hesitant to see the sequel because of how much I adored the first one. The first Iron Man got me writing again. Seriously. I hadn't really written anything in almost a year, but I saw the film and I came home and for the next week, I was writing again. So, I hold the first film in a very special place in my heart.
Therefore, it's only natural that the sequel would, more than likely, let me down a little.
And it kind of did. Through absolutely no fault of RDJ, Gwyneth, Don Cheadle, etc. I'd like to point out. Any scene with Tony/Pepper, Tony/Rhodey, Tony/Happy, Pepper/Happy, I was bouncing.
The film, to me, seemed to suffer from the 'laundry list' way to make a movie. Meaning, there is this long list of 'stuff' that has to go into the film. For example, we need three explosions, one big battle, a car chase, etc.
As opposed to a story. And honestly, that's okay. Everyone has stuff they want to happen, but I think when you don't have a true story you're working to, things end up feeling a little disjointed.
And Iron Man II felt disjointed. It was lacking the charm and the mystery that the first one had. You knew exactly what everyone's motive was. I think if they hadn't shown all their cards right off the bat (Mickey Rourke's reason for vengeance - we see in the first five minutes, Tony's erratic behavior - he's dying from the palladium in his system, which again, we see very quickly) it would have been better.
It truly felt like they wanted certain scenes, and they worked backwards from that.
The whole making Pepper CEO felt like almost like a throwaway type of thing and since they didn't really explore that at all, I felt really cheated. (Fandom, I expect awesome stuff from you to fill in the gaps!)
Since, it felt so disjointed, I truly was not expecting the kiss at the end. My shippy heart would have just been happy with more UST and flirty banter. The kiss felt like it came out of nowhere and I just sort of blinked at the screen for a second. Then, I admit, I grinned a bit madly, because I do love that the only time RDJ is actually able to look Gwyneth in the eyes is when he's in the suit and it's still a close thing. ;D
I do think I need to see it again. I wasn't in the best of moods when I saw it and was rather exhausted from less than five hours sleep, so maybe it wasn't quite as ho-hum as I'm making it out to be.
BUT, here are the things I did like:
Sam Rockwell being smarmy and dancing. I've loved him ever since Charlie's Angels.
Agent Coulson. Oh, I love that guy. Bring on the David Mamet dialogue, man! He was wonderful.
In the scene where Jon Favreau's Happy Hogan beat up the guard, did anyone else go 'Hey! Pete finally won a round!'? You know, after his character on Friends? Just me? Okay...
Mickey Rourke. The whips were pretty badass. And that scene in Monaco was pretty awesome.
Anytime RDJ and Gwyneth talked to each other. They're kind of adorable.
Don Cheadle was a good Rhodey. Although, I'm still not sure why they felt the need to replace Terrance. I loved him too.
HE BUILT A PHOTON COLLIDER IN HIS BASEMENT! WITH HIS ARMS ALL SHOWING AND THAT WILL NEVER NOT BE HOT AS HADES!!! There should have been more of that. Way more.
JARVIS. There should have been waaaaaaaay more JARVIS.
All in all, it was entertaining, but not as good as the first one and we'll just have to see. Fandom, don't let me down! I want fic to fill in the gaps, people!
Goodness gracious that was long. I've also got Doctor Who thoughts, but I think I'll save those for tomorrow. :D
I will be the first to admit that I was very hesitant to see the sequel because of how much I adored the first one. The first Iron Man got me writing again. Seriously. I hadn't really written anything in almost a year, but I saw the film and I came home and for the next week, I was writing again. So, I hold the first film in a very special place in my heart.
Therefore, it's only natural that the sequel would, more than likely, let me down a little.
And it kind of did. Through absolutely no fault of RDJ, Gwyneth, Don Cheadle, etc. I'd like to point out. Any scene with Tony/Pepper, Tony/Rhodey, Tony/Happy, Pepper/Happy, I was bouncing.
The film, to me, seemed to suffer from the 'laundry list' way to make a movie. Meaning, there is this long list of 'stuff' that has to go into the film. For example, we need three explosions, one big battle, a car chase, etc.
As opposed to a story. And honestly, that's okay. Everyone has stuff they want to happen, but I think when you don't have a true story you're working to, things end up feeling a little disjointed.
And Iron Man II felt disjointed. It was lacking the charm and the mystery that the first one had. You knew exactly what everyone's motive was. I think if they hadn't shown all their cards right off the bat (Mickey Rourke's reason for vengeance - we see in the first five minutes, Tony's erratic behavior - he's dying from the palladium in his system, which again, we see very quickly) it would have been better.
It truly felt like they wanted certain scenes, and they worked backwards from that.
The whole making Pepper CEO felt like almost like a throwaway type of thing and since they didn't really explore that at all, I felt really cheated. (Fandom, I expect awesome stuff from you to fill in the gaps!)
Since, it felt so disjointed, I truly was not expecting the kiss at the end. My shippy heart would have just been happy with more UST and flirty banter. The kiss felt like it came out of nowhere and I just sort of blinked at the screen for a second. Then, I admit, I grinned a bit madly, because I do love that the only time RDJ is actually able to look Gwyneth in the eyes is when he's in the suit and it's still a close thing. ;D
I do think I need to see it again. I wasn't in the best of moods when I saw it and was rather exhausted from less than five hours sleep, so maybe it wasn't quite as ho-hum as I'm making it out to be.
BUT, here are the things I did like:
Sam Rockwell being smarmy and dancing. I've loved him ever since Charlie's Angels.
Agent Coulson. Oh, I love that guy. Bring on the David Mamet dialogue, man! He was wonderful.
In the scene where Jon Favreau's Happy Hogan beat up the guard, did anyone else go 'Hey! Pete finally won a round!'? You know, after his character on Friends? Just me? Okay...
Mickey Rourke. The whips were pretty badass. And that scene in Monaco was pretty awesome.
Anytime RDJ and Gwyneth talked to each other. They're kind of adorable.
Don Cheadle was a good Rhodey. Although, I'm still not sure why they felt the need to replace Terrance. I loved him too.
HE BUILT A PHOTON COLLIDER IN HIS BASEMENT! WITH HIS ARMS ALL SHOWING AND THAT WILL NEVER NOT BE HOT AS HADES!!! There should have been more of that. Way more.
JARVIS. There should have been waaaaaaaay more JARVIS.
All in all, it was entertaining, but not as good as the first one and we'll just have to see. Fandom, don't let me down! I want fic to fill in the gaps, people!
Goodness gracious that was long. I've also got Doctor Who thoughts, but I think I'll save those for tomorrow. :D
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no subject
Date: 2010-05-11 05:20 am (UTC)This leads me to two conclusions:
1) Your fantabulous fanfiction has invaded my brain.
2) I must have a thing for desks.
If you ever have the urge to write such a thing, here is your inspiration (http://www.amazon.com/Swinging-Sticks-Kinetic-Desk-Sculpture/dp/B001AXR9L4).
Also, yes. I agree with almost everything you've said about the film. Did you ever watch The West Wing? It's absolutely one of my favorite TV shows of all time, and Agent Coulson played a character named Agent Casper (a Secret Service agent. The actor is just good at playing agents, isn't he?) and I loved him then and I love him now and I most certainly will love him in the future. I've got to say, the whole "I will watch Super Nanny as you drool into the rug" bit was pretty fantastic.
no subject
Date: 2010-05-11 08:40 am (UTC)And oh my god! That is awesome! Hee! I didn't realise that I could invade brains. Yikes! I have a thing for desks too, to be honest. And I love that idea with the flippy thing... Hmmmm... Maybe after Doctor Who is finished... *grins*