The whiz-bang stuff here — while never less than slick — doesn’t produce anything we haven’t seen before.

The best scenes are still the ones with Downey and Gwyneth Paltrow (as Stark’s charm-resistant assistant, Pepper Potts), or just Downey alone.

All of the charm and romance of the original has been ironed out by excess.

Iron Man 2 doesn’t take itself seriously; it’s a nonstop joyride starring a wisecracked eccentric atypical superhero, and it deftly delivers.

… when it comes to action scenes, explosions, destruction and flying pirouettes, Iron Man does not disappoint.

You won’t find a more overqualified cast this year. Then out come the CGI effects and everything becomes a yawn.

Whether playing Charlie Chaplin or a billionaire with superhero armor; Downy will pull us in every time.