MESSAGE IN THE MOVIES

Iron Man 2 Rated PG-13

Directed by Jon Favreau.  Starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow.

Photo © Paramount Studios
Movie Review by Rev. Bruce Batchelor Glader

I am beginning to despair of all hope when it comes to enjoying going out to the movies.  Theatrical films these days have been taken over by the folks who produce movies only to make a quick profit. 

How else can you explain the glut of special effect and 3D enhanced event pictures, the never-ending stream of bromance comedies about guys in their 30s who refuse to grow up, the retro chick flicks in which women will do just about anything to get a guy, and children’s films with poop jokes? 

Now, let me tell you about Iron Man 2.  The first Iron Man, released two years ago, was a smart and funny comic book movie that also had something to say about the value of non-violence. 

In this sequel Tony Stark (Downey Jr.) (aka Iron Man when he’s wearing the suit) has brought about the semblance of world peace due to Iron Man’s incredible impact.  Now the U.S. government wants to claim Iron Man for national defense and a rival (Sam Rockwell) wants to develop a superior Iron Man suit with the assistance of Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke), a Russian who felt betrayed by Tony Stark’s father. 

In spite of a few gee-whiz fight scenes, the plot is nothing more than a competition between two high tech munitions manufacturers. 

Parents, be advised: This film is rated PG-13 and recommended for older children because it will bore younger kids. 

The movie is filled with funny and often ribald one-liners and comeback lines, but nothing that you couldn’t hear on an average TV sitcom.  By the end of the movie (especially if you stay to the credits for the 30 second bonus scene), you realize that Iron Man 2 is just one more chapter in a series of Marvel Comics Universe films slated for the next three years. 

I couldn’t be more disinterested.  Not only is there no message in this movie; there’s hardly a movie in this movie.

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