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"OPENS: FRIDAY 5/7\r\nUs Rating: **\r\nWhat a shame that the follow-up to the rollicking 2008 blockbuster is a plotdeprived mess. Robert Downey Jr. returns as Tony Stark/Iron Man, the billionaire hero with iron shrapnel in his chest. Of course, things have changed. His blood has become increasingly toxic because of his inner-armor, and he has a new martial arts&amp;#x2013;trained assistant (Scarlett Johansson) with ulterior motives -- and a catsuit! Plus, he has a rival, the wacko Russian Ivan (Mickey Rourke, sporting disgusting metal teeth and tattoos). Gwyneth Paltrow is back too as aide-de-camp gal pal Pepper, but the Oscar winner&amp;apos;s star power is woefully underutilized. All Paltrow does in this sequel is pout until her big kiss with Downey. And while the charming leading man slings a few good zingers, the action flick lacks mystery and a soul. It&amp;apos;s just a series of expensive CGI battles that merely sustain the franchise till the inevitable threequel. Here&amp;apos;s hoping the screenwriters muscle up.\r\n--THELMA ADAMS"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/review--iron-man-2--201035>