In Part 2 of our Iron Man 2 discussion, we dig into what really works, what absolutely doesn’t, and why this movie still sparks debate 15 years later. The conversation zeroes in on Whiplash as a villain, what was missing from his story, and whether Mickey Rourke was the right fit or just an interesting swing that never quite landed. Yes, the Monaco suitcase scene still rules. No, the bird still doesn’t make sense.

We also spend time on the big character shifts that actually shaped the MCU. Don Cheadle stepping in as Rhodey and becoming War Machine, Scarlett Johansson’s debut as Black Widow, and the moment Iron Man 2 starts feeling less like a standalone sequel and more like the connective tissue of a shared universe. Along the way, we talk tone, overstuffed plots, cartoon villains, and how Marvel learned from this movie moving forward.

Iron Man 2 might not be anyone’s top-tier MCU pick, but it plays a crucial role in defining Tony Stark and setting the table for what came next. As always, we don’t all agree, and that’s kind of the whole point.