It’d be difficult for any additional Iron Man incarnation to surpass the original, but Iron Man 2 is a worthy follow-up.

I guess you could say the element of surprise — the realization that someone so unlikely as Robert Downey Jr. could actually pull off the role of a lifetime — is gone in IM2.  I remember when they cast the actor. I thought “What an odd choice for a superhero.” But now, you can’t even fathom the idea of anyone else playing Tony Stark. The actor mixes just the right amount of snarkiness, arrogance, thoughtfulness and brawn – and in IM2, the characterization only deepens. This time around, having announced to the world he IS Iron Man, Tony has become a rock star, negotiating world peace and creating the Stark Expo, where all number of inventions can be displayed. Except he’s really just putting on a brave face since the palladium in the arc reactor keeping his heart pumping is slowly poisoning him. But he can’t think about that now, too many other distractions.

The U.S. government demands he hand over the Iron Man suit and the technology to run it, publicly viewing it as a threat but secretly wanting it for their own military purposes. While snively rival Justin Hammer (Sam Rockwell) just wants to steal it. Even Tony’s good friend Lt. Colonel James Rhodes (Don Cheadle) isn’t on his side. Cheadle, who replaces the original’s Terence Howard, and Rockwell are both welcome additions, especially the always good Rockwell, who adds a lot to IM2‘s greatly enhanced funny bits.

Then there’s Pepper Potts. Tired of all the minutiae and thinking he’s going to die soon anyway, Stark appoints his personal assistant Pepper as the new CEO of Stark Industries. As the will-they or won’t-they couple, Gwyneth Paltrow and Downey Jr. banter like pros, throwing in the zingers much more than they did in the original. I suppose it’s all that sexual tension built up. Speaking of sexual tension, Scarlett Johansson slinks her way into the cast as Tony’s new personal assistant, the mysterious Natalie Rushman, who may or may not be moonlighting as a secret agent.  And finally, the villain. Mickey Rourke plays Whiplash, a tatted up Russian baddie/engineer genius, who’s father once helped Tony’s father create the arc reactor – until the elder Stark had him deported for  nefarious deeds. Like Cheadle and Rockwell, Rourke’s presence, too, adds a certain level of credibility to the proceedings. Rourke never takes it too over the top, but still uses his physicality to intimidate.

Director Jon Favreau has a deft handle on the subject matter, no question, with a few key action sequences sprinkled among the contemplative scenes. And with the clever screenplay by actor/writer Justin Theroux (Tropic Thunder), IM2 ups the ante and keeps the Iron Man mythology humming without it feeling forced, also setting up Marvel’s other upcoming adaptations. So why do I say the sequel doesn’t surpass the original? Because it just can’t quite reach that same level of excitement the first Iron Man gave us. Iron Man never seemed like an introductory story, much like many comic-book adaptations (i.e. X-Men, Spider-Man, etc.), which then makes their sequels more compelling. Iron Man had it going on from the get-go, with Downey Jr. exceeding all expectations. In essence, all IM2 is required to do is to continue laterally along the comic-book lines, which it does entertainingly and successfully. And it’s going to make another butt-load of money.

Fueled by director Guy Ritchie’s fast-paced action and Robert Downey Jr.’s uncanny skill at inventing his own unique spin on his characters, “Sherlock Holmes” thoroughly entertains from beginning to end.

Breaking the traditions we’ve come to know from past Sherlock Holmes adaptations – no hounds-tooth coats or “Elementary, my dear Watson” lines here – Ritchie and others have returned to Arthur Conan Doyle’s books and short stories to uncover a less stodgy, more improved Holmes. Although he still possesses exquisite powers of deduction and smokes a pipe, turns out Holmes is also a boxer, a pretty handy martial artist and swordsman of sorts. An action hero for 1860s London, as it were. We meet the man (Downey Jr.) and his crime-busting partner John Watson (Jude Law) just as they apprehend known occult follower and murderer Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). But Blackwood has other plans. After seemingly hanged for his crimes, he resurrects himself from the dead, which throws the city into a tizzy. Inspector Lestrade (Eddie Marsan) of Scotland Yard once again calls Holmes in to help and since Holmes doesn’t believe Blackwood has magical powers, he feels a game is indeed afoot. He must also contend with an old flame Irene (Rachel McAdams), the only criminal to best Holmes. And don’t fear, Holmes’ fans: the detective’s arch nemesis Prof. Moriarty makes a brief yet veiled appearance, setting up the grand possibility of further Sherlock Holmes installments.

I’m just going to say it up front: I’d almost rather watch more adventures with Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes than with him as Tony Stark/Iron Man. Both characters are actually quite similar: mad geniuses, obsessed with science and technology, wanting to stop the bad guys with both their brains and their brawn. Yet, for me, there’s something infinitely cooler about collecting clues, solving mysteries and unraveling dastardly plans from master criminal minds, especially the way Downey Jr. as Holmes accomplishes it. He has created yet another indelible character, part literary legend and part, well, Downey Jr., who is fascinating all by himself.

The similarities don’t stop there. Stark and Holmes both also have loyal friends who are the voice of reason in their chaotic lives – Pepper Potts for Stark and Watson for Holmes. Yet, the Watson/Holmes match up is far more complex and rewarding. Just as Downey Jr. does with Holmes, Law breaks all Watson molds as the bumbling sidekick whose intellect falls short of his more lofty friend. Nothing could be further from the stereotype; this Watson simply kicks ass, with smarts on par with Holmes, even if he can’t see it all the different ways Holmes can. They bicker like an old married couple, and in this scenario, deal with the fact Watson has fallen in love and decided to get married. The tension only adds to their already sweetly dysfunctional relationship. Let’s just say, it’ll be hard from them to quit each other. McAdams also provides a nice touch to the proceedings as con artist Irene (a character taken from one of Doyle’s short stories). She’s Holmes’ Achilles heel. And finally, wonderful character actor Strong (“Rocknrolla”) plays the villainous Blackwood with aplomb.

Visually, “Sherlock Holmes” rocks it, as well. Apparently a Holmes aficionado, Ritchie creates the detective’s world impeccably – a very industrial, very dark and wet 1860s London, down to riverfront tableaus and up to the building of the Tower Bridge. But of course, Ritchie’s forte is to deliver plenty of action, which he does with gusto, with cleverly inserted slow-mo shots and lots of fisticuffs. I’m so pleased Ritchie is back in top form with this and his previous film “Rocknrolla,” moving past his non-productive years while married to Madonna. Sign him up again for the next “Sherlock” adventure, pronto.

“Sherlock Holmes” could be considered one of the better films of the year – it is in my book – so here’s hoping it’ll open big and become more attractive as a Best Picture contender.