Iron Man 2 is one of the film’s I have been anticipating the most this year and it was certainly worth the wait.
Starring Robert Downey Jr, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johnasson, Don Cheadle, Mickey Rourke and Samuel L. Jackson – you can check out the trailer below if you haven’t already to get your taste buds salivating.

The Plot

Following on from six months after the first Iron Man movie, the world now knows that Tony Stark (Downey) is Iron Man, and now they all want a piece of either the Iron Man technology or Tony Stark himself. Stark is however unwilling to let go of his awesome technology and thus Stark ends up facing increasing amounts of pressure from friends and foe alike.

The Thoughts

It takes a little while to set the foundations of the film, but all with plenty of humour and lot’s of nice little references to other Marvel characters from the comics, those of which  I can only assume are tie-ins from other Marvel movies on the way.

Downey is 100% spot on as Stark! From now on Downey is and will forever be Tony Stark – he played the role to perfection. Stark is a selfish, cocky, arrogant but undeniably likeable and Downey was spot on in his portryal.

Paltrow also reprises her role as Pepper Pots and I like the way she plays Pepper – she looks as if she’s incapable but actually you know that in a fight she could probably take care of herself. Heaven knows why they keep putting her in those heels that she obviously cannot walk in!

I admit with Johnasson I was not sure if I would be able to deal with her in an action role. But she pretty much did exactly as she should have and I found myself wondering why they didn’t give her a bigger role – she was most certainly underused in this movie which was a disappointment.

Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke both play the ‘bad guy’ in Iron Man 2. Rockwell portrays Hammer as cheaper knock off version of Tony Stark, which doesn’t work for the character but made Rockwell’s portrayal all the more entertaining. Rourke was absolutely terrifying, if you saw this guy walking down the street towards you, there is no doubt that you would cross over to the other side to avoid him, whilst not taking your eyes off him the entire time. Rourke’s character Ivan Vanko doesn’t say much, but he doesn’t have to – the very presence of this man is enough to shake even Stark, and so far from this Iron Man franchise Vanko is by far the best villain.

Overall the film was well put together, perhaps there were one too many characters that wasn’t really needed as they didn’t aid to bringing the plot forward. Director Jon Favreau (Happy Hogan) clearly has a talent for film making and took to this project with open arms – I just wish he would stop trying to act, but I guess everyone wants to be part of the Iron Man experience.

The visuals were stunning, not once did I notice the CGI or did it detract from the story telling. Most of the technology that Stark uses is slightly unbelievable,  although highly inventive – for me it’s still a little too early to believe technology could have advanced that much. A highly entertaining story with mostly strong performances from a fantastic cast that are under used.

Oh and don’t forget, if it’s not too painful for you, wait till the end of the credits to see a little something extra.

Iron Man 2 is out at all UK cinemas now, check it out.

Don’t forget to let us know what you think of Iron Man 2, by leaving a comment or you can Tweet us or Facebook us.

The Film Buzz Rating: ********~~ (8/10)

UK Release Date: 29th April 2010

Director: Jon Favreau

Writer’s: Stan Lee (comic), Justin Theroux (screenplay)

Links: IMDB, Official Site

With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press, and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, along with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow), and James “Rhodey” Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances — and confront powerful enemies.

Directed by Jon Favreau starring Robert Downey Jr., Gwyneth Paltrow, Scarlett Johansson, Mickey Rourke and others in a solid cast and mind-blowing technology driven action – this film is a definite must-see of the year.

Everyone is buzzing with anticipation for this film, it’s hitting cinemas officially tomorrow but for the eager beavers – advance screenings are on today!

See it if you liked: X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), Iron Man (2008), Sherlock Holmes (2009)

Certificate: 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure

Release Date: 30 April 2010

The Last Song

Do you ever really forget your first heartbreak?

Based on best-selling novelist Nicholas Sparks’s (A Walk to Remember, The Notebook) latest novel, The Last Song is set in a small Southern beach town where an estranged father (Greg Kinnear) gets a chance to spend the summer with his reluctant teenaged daughter (Miley Cyrus), who’d rather be home in New York. He tries to reconnect with her through the only thing they have in common – music. In a story of family, friendship, secrets and salvation, along with first loves and second chances, this film will certainly tug on heartstrings.

Directed by Julie Anne Robinson from a screenplay by Spars & Jeff Van Wie and also starring Bobby Coleman, Liam Hemsworth, Hallock Beals and Kelly Preston.

See it if you liked: The Notebook (2004), The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants (2005), Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009)

Certificate: PG

Genre: Drama/Romance

Release Date: 30 April 2010

The Disappearance of Alice Creed

Gemma Arterton stars as a young woman kidnapped by two scheming men in this gripping British hostage story.

Read The Film Buzz Official review here.

See it if you liked: Red Road (2006), Funny Games (2007), Taken (2008)

Certificate: 18

Genre: Thriller

Release Date: 30 April 2010

Using Unity 3D Game Technology platform – a state of the art game engine taking casual gaming to a new level, it allows you to play 3D games in your web browser. Requiring only a small, seamless install after which you will be able to play some of the most visually impressive games on the web.

So back to the game itself:

“Whiplash: Slash and Burn is a fast-paced browser game to promote the theatrical release of Marvel’s Iron Man 2 this May.

In the game the player takes control of Iron Man’s new nemesis Whiplash as he storms the race track where Stark is racing.

Using Whiplash’s cable-whip arms, the player will attempt to destroy the racing cars as they speed towards the screen. After hitting enough cars, a special power surge is rewarded, which can be used to knock out multiple vehicles.

The main aim is to annihilate Tony Stark’s car as he passes. As the timer ticks down the cars increase in speed making it harder to earn points for destruction. On completing the game the player can add their high score to a leaderboard.

This explosive game shows that Unity is bringing the 3D browser game to a new level of sophistication.”

Iron Man 2 – Whiplash ‘Slash & Burn’ Unity 3D Game
Uploaded by rubberrepublic. – Click for more console and PC gaming videos.

So what are you waiting for? Click to get gaming!

Red & gold or titanium silver? Even the pickiest fashionista would want to try the Iron Man & War Machine helmets on for size!

You will need a webcam to activate I Am Iron Man 2, but if you don’t have webcam, don’t fret, this video explains how it works and what it looks like:

I Am Iron Man 2: Augmented Reality app (www.iamironman2.com) from Rubber Republic on Vimeo

Innovations in the Augmented Reality technology:

• Try the new Iron Man & War Machine helmets with visor up/down
• Touch screen interface allows you to get the HUD perspective from inside the helmet
• Video capture and effortless sharing across social networks and blog platforms

Paramount delivered something similar for Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen but took this opportunity to really extend the technology to cutting-edge level! This time round the AR experience allows users to see through Tony’s view when he is Iron Man plus have a conversation with Jarvis using quotes from the movie.

Once you’ve finished admiring yourself in sexy metal, you can then video capture yourself inside one of Tony’s toys and share it with your friends on Facebook, Twitter or even embed to your own site!

Fujikawa – the Japanese electronics manufacturer, gave us a privileged sneak peek early this morning of their STARK HUD – which, in the past, would only exist in comic books and science fiction but not anymore! HUD (Heads Up Display) technology is world-changing technology which promises to take consumer optics and communication onto a whole new level and dimension. It enables users to fully and effortlessly interact with their environment and social network.

STARK HUD 2020 features:

* High speed data in the palm of your hand
* Geo-location services and tourist information
* Weather and traffic updates
* Social networking tools and applications
* Mood-monitoring jukebox
* Matchmaker targeting

Pricing and launch date details will be revealed on May 7th at the Stark Expo.

Check out the fantabulous STARK HUD 2020 technology here!

Launching later today: an awesome Iron Man augmented reality experience – which we will be blogging about as soon as we get our hands on it.

Stick close to The Film Buzz for the latest!

Source: http://www.rubberrepublic.com/blog

This is no ordinary trailer! This interactive trailer contains hotspots which release further content and information about the plot of Iron Man 2, it’s characters, the evolution of the Iron Man suit and film’s centrepieces – the Monaco style ‘Race of Champions’ and Stark Expo 2010.

Enjoy!

Accutech is one of Stark Industries subsidiary companies whose future technology will be showcased at the Stark Expo opening in May - www.starkexpo2010.com, click here for the full press release.

The storyline of Iron Man 2 involves Tony Stark’s attempt to bring back Stark Expo – since the video is quite cryptic, we’re going to have to keep our eyes peeled for more viral clips – rest assured that The Film Buzz will be receiving exclusive digital goodies as soon as they’re out of the oven! Watch this space!

So far Iron Man 2 looks like it’s shaping up to be the flick of the summer. If you remember the ending from the first film, you’ll know that Stark revealed to all that he was Iron Man, so it looks as if we’re going to see the backlash of Stark’s revelation in this sequel.

Robert Downey Jnr

Is it just me or is Downey Jr looking a little bit worse for wear? It’s probably all those movie’s he’s making, the dude needs to get some serious shut eye.

Iron Man 2 hits UK cinemas on April 30th 2010 (not soon enough).

You should follow us on twitter here!

Here’s the breakdown of films to look out for this year:

January

Kicking off the year with a gruesome start: Daybreakers sets a plague loose transforming the human race into vampires (preview here) whilst romantic comedy It’s Complicated about a very complicated love triangle starring Meryl Streep and Alec Baldwin (preview here).

The Road, a hotly tipped Oscar contender, is a post-apocalyptic thriller about a nameless man and his son trying to survive by any means possible – starring Viggo Mortensen out 8 January 2010. Also contending for Oscars is Up in the Air - a drama starring George Clooney originally due for release in 2009 but will now be hitting UK cinemas on 15 January 2010 (preview here).

Another two contending prize winners are Peter Jackson‘s supernatural thriller The Lovely Bones and Precious - a drama about a pregnant teenager given a second chance to change her life around, both out 29 January 2010, whilst gritty action/thriller Edge of Darkness – an adaptation of a TV series following a detective investigating the murder of his daughter, starring Mel Gibson (preview here).

February

Originally slated for release in 2009 but had been delayed til 2010 are Shutter Island – a horror/thriller starring Leonardo DiCaprio and The Wolfman (preview here) will finally hit cinemas mid February 2010.

March

Children’s classic Alice in Wonderland gets a superb remaking by director Tim Burton – quirky, crazy and fantastical – plunge into a land of mysteries, wonder and danger with Alice and let your senses be rattled in 3D come 5 March 2010.

Another remaking gracing the big screen is a new version of 1981′s Clash of the Titans with Avatar star Sam Worthington as Perseus, out 26 March 2010 (preview here).

April

Hotly anticipated and guaranteed to be a bunch of laughs – Kick-Ass, a comic book-inspired action comedy starring Nicolas Cage and Christopher Mintz-Plasse (preview here).

May

Come 14 May 2010, get ready for the epic remake of Robin Hood - legendary archer hero in the army fighting against invaders starring Russell Crowe, whilst another hero in the form of Iron Man 2 will see Robert Downey Jr. and Scarlett Johansson face the formidable new foe played by Mickey Rourke (preview here).
Also, the best-selling Disney game Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time transforms into an action adventure film starring Jake Gyllenhaal (preview here).

June

As if they couldn’t release any more remakes, 1980′s favourite Footloose will be getting a re-imagining come 18 June 2010, and rom-com When In Rome, which reaches our screens in June, is about a young girl (played by Kristen Bell) who is unlucky in love but whilst visiting Rome gets more whirlwind romances than she bargained for.

July

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse – the third instalment of the Twilight franchise is sure to have the box-office booming when it arrives 9 July 2010, whilst a reimagining of The Karate Kid from the 1980′s comes in the form of The Karate Kid (2010) – an action drama starring Jackie Chan and Will Smith’s son Jaden Smith as a young kid who moves to China and is made to adapt and embrace kung fu taught to him by a master.

August

Christopher Nolan (director of Dark Knight) is being very secretive about the science fiction thriller Inception starring Leonardo DiCaprio – out August. In the meantime, check out the trailer:

In contrast, The Expendables plot should be fairly easy to guess – an action adventure starring Sylvester Stallone and a host of action stars from past and present including Jet Li, Mickey Rourke and the late Brittany Murphy.

September

September is looking a bit dry in terms of well known remakes, sequels etc, but here’s a refreshing look at some new titles such as The Other Guys – an action comedy starring Will Ferrell and a horror/thriller Priest about a priest who disobeys church law and goes after vampires who kidnapped his niece – interesting indeed.

October

An adorable animation for all the family to “aww” and “ooooh” at is Despicable Me about a trio of orphan girls and a plan to steal the moon!

November

Finishing off our year is the penultimate Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 with Part 2 scheduled for 2011, preview here.

December

Children and adults alike will be waiting with bated breath for the third Narnia film The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, which will be hitting the big screen around Christmas alongside Tron Legacy - the hugely anticipated sequel to 1982 Tron film. Tron Legacy is a science fiction with exceptional visual effects looking to end our year off quite nicely in Disney Digital 3D and IMAX 3D (preview here).

3D storm

As you’ve probably caught on, this year is all about 3D – if it isn’t 3D, it isn’t worth watching – something along those lines. Get a load of this: there will be a third Toy Story, fourth Shrek (Shrek Forever After) and a seventh Saw released this year all using a splash of 3D magic.

And look out, the third Step Up movie, called Step Up 3D is the first dance film to be shot in 3D and features tons of amazing dancers and dance crews, out August 2010.

If that’s not enough hip-popping action in 3D for you, StreetDance 3D is out May 2010, surely fans of talent shows will be interested to check this film out as it was filmed in London featuring dance troupes Diversity and Flawless who came first and second in the talent show Britain’s Got Talent. Not only that, StreetDance 3D is making history twice as it is the first UK independent feature film about street dancing and also the first ever UK feature film to be shot entirely in 3D. Are you proud Britons?

Sequels galore:

Another continuing trend – sequels of successful prequels, with directors and producers looking to remind us of their cash cow predecessors. We have the Meet The Fockers Sequel (yep that’s the actual title – how convenient), Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore (god, what the hell were they thinking?) and Sex and the City 2 - join Carrie Bradshaw as she hits the city once again with her dangerously fashionable girl pals, rocking the city with glamour and sex appeal.

Foreign Films

Foreign films that are set to impress us in 2010 include hard-hitting French prison drama A Prophet (out 22 January 2010) and dark Swedish mystery The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (out 12 March 2010).

Films contending for awards

Tis the season of film awards! Just in time for the awards season are a whole array of hotly tipped films all releasing this month including Up in the Air, Precious, The Road, Invictus (preview here) and The Lovely Bones amongst others.

Phew, if that’s not going to satisfy your film hungry tastebuds then I don’t know what will!

What will you be looking out for this year?

So how did that leave you feeling? Excited? Intrigued? Nauseous? Let us know.

Iron Man 2 Film Poster

The second Iron Man film to be released next year is again directed by Jon Favreau (Pete from Friends) and features the return of Robert Downey Jr (Sherlock Holmes) as Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow (Two Lovers) as Pepper Pots, and also introducing some new additions Scarlett Johansson (The Other Boleyn Girl) as Black Widow and Mickey Rourke (The Wrestler) as Whiplash. More details will come as we get them.

The Film Buzz Anticipation Rating: 7.5/10

UK Release Date: May/ June 2010

Director: Jon Favreau

Writer’s: Justin Theroux (screenplay), Stan Lee, Don Heck, Larry Lieber, Jack Kirby

Links: IMDB, Official Site