Iron Man 2 2010 5*

.. in progress ..

Original 2008. Sequel 2 2010. 3 2013 preview. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) takes center stage playing beloved American protector of peace, secretly grimacing in pain, fear. Traditional villain is ugly, Russian, isolated, mad scientist - all Ivan Vanko (Mickey Rourke) building his own metal suit.

To replace right-arm Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) promoted to run company, Tony hires on the left arm, Natalie Rushman aka Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson). (Spoiler: Natalie is undercover for Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) of the Avengers). As his 30th birthday approaches, Tony's blood tests deteriorate, poison from the suit power core beside his heart. ~"If this were your last birthday party, how would you celebrate?" ~"I'd do whatever I wanted with whoever I wanted."

Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell), U.S. government military weapons contractor, plays man of the people devil's advocate, "I'd love to leave my door unlocked when I leave the house, but this ain't Canada." Best pal Colonel Rhodes (Don Cheadle) testifies, reluctantly obeying bleeping Senator Stern (Gary Shandling), reading out of context, that the suit is a weapon better under official control.

A-Team 4* 2010

Preview. I liked the tough talking, kicking, punching, shooting, driving, flames, explosions. Bodies bounce, fall, vomit. Bam Bang Boom Barf.

Captain Hannibal Smith (Liam Neeson) leads other Army Rangers, rescues "Face" Peck (Bradley Cooper) from Mexican villain General Tuco (Yul Vázquez), driven by "B.A." Bad Attitude, Baracus (Quinton "Rampage" Jackson), flown by chopper pilot Murdock (Sharlto Copley), to chorus "AMF"' (Adios Mother-F-er).

"80 successful missions later", the tight group is visited by hot brunette Captain "Crunch" Chlarissa Sosa (Jessica Biel), and baddie CIA Lynch (Patrick Wilson ) who wants engraving plates and the one billion American dollars printed thereby, out of Baghdad. Pike (Brian Bloom, also writer) leads well-paid Black (Ops) Forest unit to steal the plates, blows up the tent of General Morrison (Gerald McRaney), who left no record of official orders. The team is discharged and sentenced to a minimum of ten years incarceration, until Lynch wants them to get back the plates.

From previous viewing, I remember the plot didn't make much sense and does not have to, especially with surprise twists. This film is action, fast and hard, sprinkled with one-liners. "Cash don't buy guts .. or brains .. and you're short on both."

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Spoiler

After the credits, original TV series actors for Face (Dirk Benedict) and Murdock (Dwight Schultz) have cameo scenes with corresponding film actors, as another tanning client and observing psychiatrist, respectively.

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Liam Neeson as Col. John "Hannibal" Smith

Bradley Cooper as Lt. Templeton "Face" Peck