You have a big gun, that dosen't mean you are the big gun...

So, Iron Man 2. I have to say that I really wanted to love it but I came away liking it and now I'm not even sure about that.

It was very much like tofu.

Don't get me wrong it is an enjoyable romp with some great comedy moments and some slick dialogue. It just feels a little cobbled together, perhaps it just feels like too much was trying to be done with too many characters. This process proved fatal for the absolutely dire Spider-man 3. The cast are all great and Jon Favreau and co obviously have enough clout to tempt the likes of not only Robert Downey Jr. in the first installment but also Sam Rockwell and Mickey Rourke. Let's tackle these chaps first.

Both deliver stalwart performances and you get the feeling that Rourke in particular relished the chance to play a Russian criminal genius. His accent is decent enough and he genuinely represents a force to be reckoned with, the only problem being, for me anyway, was that he seemed to pose a considerable threat without the heavy metal gubbins to back it up. He was a genuinely menacing character that, once in his suit, seemed a bit silly. Don't get me wrong I do understand that this is a comic book movie but there is a reason that Rourke notoriously avoids these types of roles and unfortunately for Iron Man 2 showed us why. He is simply too good an actor to be upstaged by some CG electro whips.

Rockwell also played a deliciously slimy Justin Hammer with all the gusto of pretty much every performance in his solid career. He threw himself at this role rather than just phoning it in. the attention to detail (look out for the fake tanned palms) even in the flamboyant way that he dresses which is in direct contrast to Tony Stark. He is a try hard Tony constantly trying to either belittle him or get his approval, he's like a jilted lover or an unloved child. Either that or Rockwell read the script an thought it would be a laugh.

The point being that with Rourke presenting a realistic threat would he really work side by side with Rockwell's sniveling "Rigsby-like" Hammer? It just didn't gel which was a huge pity as both actors really could have played this at half mast but, as I said, you really get the impression that THEY wanted this to be a great experience for them and us.

The rest of the team too are good Don Cheadle slipping into the sequel almost unnoticed. Rhodey having been played by Terence Howard who left over "contractual issues". He picks up the ball and runs with it and indeed delivers a sterling performance. Robert Downey Jr is once again faultless as Tony Stark and this being a sequel the story is darker, dealing with alcoholism and deteriorating health as well as the pitfalls of celebrity. So far so busy. Not only do you have the back story of Hammer and Whiplash but also Stark's past is investigated further, looking into the relationship that he had with his father as well as his present with all of the aforementioned bugbears he is also struggling to deal with his complicated will they won't they relationship with Pepper Potts. Phew.

Take a break for five minutes because we aren't done yet. If the plot so far sounds like it is groaning and weighty that's because it is and you can see it on the screen especially when you then add, yes I said add, an unnecessary S.H.I.E.L.D story-line in which Samuel L Jackson seemingly just turns up to be Jackson and Scarlett Johanssen inexplicably suddenly slips into a catsuit just to titilate.

I think by now you are probably getting the picture. There is just too much going on in this film, to much to remember and keep track of for an experience which let's face it should take as much thought as reading a copy of "Nuts" magazine (god forbid). What it eventually feels like is an overcrowded attempt, an unedited effort because of the relative success of the first installment.

It is fun, it does have it's moments and I would probably watch it again. However, everyone just feels a bit like they are pulling in different directions and that is probably because the film is wall to wall Oscar nominated actors in some cases winners. It's just a shame that for all the good ideas and seeming care over making sure that everyone has their time on screen they could have reserved certain plots, i.e. Justin Hammer for a later installment and freed up some room for the film to stretch it's legs.

Oh and by the way, we know that there is a planned Avengers film but stop using Iron man as some kind of billboard to tell us all about it the screen time used could also have been used to let Downey Jr and co have more fun with the existing story.

All in all another fun installment but let's hope that the third time is the charm...