I really didn't care that much for the first Iron Man. I like Robert Downey Jr, think he's a great actor. But in this gig he's just playing himself and most of the time it's not very interesting. The dialog is full the quirky one liners and maybe a little too much comic relief. And that's all fine and good, but the movie is better when Stark is silent, pensive, and not talking so much. The same can be said of Pepper. The banter between her and Stark is just irritating. She's seems to be there in the movie just for window dressing anyway. Now Black Widow (Scarlett Johanssen) could have been an interesting character if she had been allowed to really form a relationship with Stark, but no go. Samuel L. popped in and out to give great wisdom, almost like a Jedi Master. And poor Don Cheadle is given every little to do but look lost.

Why did I give this 8 stars, well Downey is Downey and when he's quiet and in the groove the movie is good. And it is almost great when combined with Mickey Rourke (who just keeps getting better, banged up face and all) and Sam Rockwell who hits every note as the rival weapons manufacturer Hammer. Those three are what keeps the movie interesting.