57
Metascore
40 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 75Rolling StonePeter TraversRolling StonePeter TraversFavreau supplies the go-go-go that makes the movie stratospherically entertaining, even without 3-D. But it's the promiscuously talented Downey who adds the grace notes that make Iron Man 2 something to remember.
- 70Boxoffice MagazinePete HammondBoxoffice MagazinePete HammondFans of the first will not be bored. This Iron Man may not be the Godfather II of comic book movie sequels critics hope for but it is a complete blast anyway.
- 70New York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinNew York Magazine (Vulture)David EdelsteinIt doesn’t come close to the emotional heft of those two rare 2s that outclassed their ones: Superman 2 and Spider-Man 2. But Iron Man 2 hums along quite nicely.
- 70The New YorkerAnthony LaneThe New YorkerAnthony LaneTo find a comic-book hero who doesn’t agonize over his supergifts, and would defend his constitutional right to get a kick out of them, is frankly a relief.
- 67Tampa Bay TimesSteve PersallTampa Bay TimesSteve PersallIt's as slick and fun as summertime entertainment should be. Downey is still an arresting presence, glib to the nth degree and supremely confident that he's smarter than anyone else.
- 60EmpireEmpireRourke and Rockwell make satisfying, complementary villains, while Downey Jr. delivers again. Shame this sequel feels inessential, over-busy and a little, well, mechanical. Nothing they can’t put right for Iron Man 3.
- 60VarietyBrian LowryVarietyBrian LowryIsn't as much fun as its predecessor, but by the time the smoke clears, it'll do.
- 40Village VoiceVillage VoiceThe elements that made the first Iron Man a rather likable blockbuster have not entirely evaporated. Favreau brings together interesting American movie stars and lets them actually play through scenes.
- 40Time OutJoshua RothkopfTime OutJoshua RothkopfWith this depressingly bland sequel (scripted by snark specialist Justin Theroux), he’s (Robert Downey Jr.) stranded in lightweight arrogance.
- 30The Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttThe Hollywood ReporterKirk HoneycuttWell, that didn't take long. Everything fun and terrific about "Iron Man," a mere two years ago, has vanished with its sequel. In its place, Iron Man 2 has substituted noise, confusion, multiple villains, irrelevant stunts and misguided story lines.