The first film out of the gate in the summer blockbuster race of 2010 is Iron Man 2. With any sequel, the filmmakers have the daunting task of not only maintaining the interest of the franchise's original audience but gaining new converts as well. Usually, this is achieved by taking what made the first installment so appealing and multiplying it one-hundred fold making it bigger, louder, and faster. Historically, it is at the expense of character and narrative and Iron Man 2 is no exception to this rule.

Robert Downey, Jr. reprises his role as weapons developer extraordinaire Tony Stark, now basking in the spotlight as global hero Iron Man. Credited with single-handedly inaugurating an era of world peace, Stark introduces himself at his self-named expo with all the pomp and circumstance of worldwide celebrity complete with pyrotechnics, loud music, and a female dance troupe that would be the envy of any NBA team. Behind all the glitz and glamour, Stark remains the same cocky, self-absorbed narcissist whose fame and wealth have failed to fill the void in his restless heart. This is mirrored by the reality that the arc reactor, Stark's substitute heart glowing in the center of his chest, is failing at a frightening speed, placing the burden of mortality upon him.

The false impression of worldwide peace is shattered with the emergence of an exiled Soviet nemesis named Ivan Vanko (played up with joyful campiness by Mickey Rourke, having a ball). Taking long-forgotten plans of a dangerous technology, Vanko teams with Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), an arms manufacturing rival of Stark's, who uses his prominent pull with the U.S. military establishment to introduce an army of super-robots to usurp Iron Man as peacekeeper.

Stark meantime broods and mopes as only Downey can. Stark is surrounded by his loyal assistant, and now CEO of Stark Industries, Pepper Potts (Gweneth Paltrow), military buddy Rhodey (Don Cheadle, poorly miscast in a shallow role, replacing Terrence Howard), and new to the franchise Natasha Rushman (Scarlett Johansson). The interaction of these characters is reduced to frantic bickering replete with lame wisecracks thanks to screenwriter Justin Theroux (hand-picked by Downey after they worked together on Tropic Thunder). It may have worked on that film, but in this genre it is only annoying—too much attitude and not enough substance.

The action sequences are just as disappointing as Iron Man and Rhodey take on Vanko and his band of super-bots. Everything is loud, flashy and colorful but, in the end, the viewer is left feeling empty.

When the film is allowed to slow down, a heartbeat is revealed—if only the filmmakers were patient enough to let it play out. Stark, searching for a meaning and purpose to his life, finds it in an old film-reel flashback of his late father (John Slattery). It is in this re-connection to his father that Stark gets a glimpse of how his power and resources can be used for something greater than himself. To borrow a phrase from another super-hero saga: "With great power, comes great responsibility." This is just a re-wording of the words of our creator, "to whom much is given, much is required."

Paralleled by an improvement of the arc reactor that gives him a new lease on physical life, Stark's spiritual life is renewed as well. Let's hope that when Iron Man 3 is made, that this human side of Stark is given the opportunity to be revealed more than the gadgets.