Rob Kubasko

Who’s in charge here? Ivan continues his destruction as he controls Rhodey in War Machine, and Tony saves a boy. Which boy? Well, you know… there’s much speculation about that.

Forgive us our digression on incredible science fiction toys, this is the first minute in which a cosplay toy exists in-movie, and we’re going to celebrate that. Beyond that, the drones are fully in action now, and we’re here for it, anchor spikes and all.

We start with wrestling. Apparently there are fans of wrestling in the MCU and we think they should finally elevate that fandom with the hidden Marvel wrestling industrial complex. We’ve got a fun callback for Bucky and Steve at the Stark Expo, Natalie is inarguably replaced by Natasha at long last, and we have a picture wrap on Justin’s glasses.

JARVIS hacks. Finally, with the Mark VI, the AI has the juice it needs to do some more serious war-time jiggery pokery. Now, let’s get this out of the way: There are a LOT of stray bullets in this sequence. And we never would have thought we would write this, but in spite of the further mass casualties, and the absence of physics to account for the mutations load-outs, the look damn cool. We talk stand-ins and lighting, fun zooms, and seriously giant pixels.

There are three rules for using a microphone. You only need the first two. Let’s review. Also, we explore masculine vulnerability in an act of trust between robopals. We explore some incredible graphics work in the HUDs from a long lost animation company, which is great, until the drones wake up and we realize that mass casualties can be a distraction from pretty pixels. Turn up the volume on this minute because the sound design is extraordinary!

Political faux pas! Rob breaks out his political history to catalog a connection between IM2 and the 2004 Democratic National Convention. Then, Rhodey is in the War Machine! We have some digression on Expo Security, a confused audience, and then — WHAT? — it’s the MARK VI ARMOR! That’s right, in the space of 60 seconds we are introduced to TWO armors we haven’t seen before. Cue the swoon.

Army. Navy. Air Force. Marines. Yeah, you remember the old commercial, don’t you? Regardless, we get to see the drones and they’re amazing. And they don’t look like battle droids. Anchors Aweigh plays followed by Into the Wild Blue Yonder. The Halls of Montezuma plays for the Marine drones. But where is Ivan? Is he in the Variable Threat Response Battle Suit?

Justin Hammer continues his speech. Pepper rolls her eyes. ILM has its big suit reveal of the Hammer Drones. We hear the Army Song, which has nothing to do with coconuts as it turns out. Everyone’s impressed with the drones. But where are the drone toys? And Hammer throws in a flourish.

LBDs and AWB. Sam Rockwell’s dancing improv to a 70s song, even if it doesn’t fit his appearance at the Expo. Favreau didn’t want it but the producers and editors did, and he succumbed… and we’re so glad he did! But man, is he lacking situational awareness. But he’s smart when he works to divorce the idea of Iron Man from Tony Stark.

How fast can you trace a phone call? And Tony still needs a mute button? Larry Ellison’s cameo gets its payoff finally. Tony figures out Ivan’s in the Tri State Area. It’s a picture wrap on Irena! But what was the original fate of Ivan’s beloved pet? And Tony’s new element, Starkium, is actually healing him! Huzzah!