S.H.I.E.L.D. Director Nick Fury soon reveals that Tony's new assistant, "Natalie Rushman," is actually undercover agent Natasha Romanoff (Black Widow). Fury provides Tony with Howard Stark's old research, leading Tony to discover a hidden diagram within an old Stark Expo model. Using this, Tony synthesizes a new, non-toxic element that saves his life and powers his latest armor. The Battle at Stark Expo
Six months after revealing his secret identity to the world, billionaire Tony Stark faces mounting pressure from the U.S. government to surrender his Iron Man technology for military use. While maintaining a confident public persona, Tony is privately dying; the palladium core in his chest's arc reactor is slowly poisoning his blood, and he cannot find a safe replacement. Rising Conflict and New Enemies
: Vanko attacks Tony during the Monaco Historic Grand Prix. Though Tony defeats him using a portable briefcase suit, Vanko succeeds in showing the world that Iron Man is vulnerable. Iron Man II
Watch these recaps for a quick visual overview of the movie's plot and major action sequences: IRON MAN 2 Story Recap in 5 MINUTES! YouTube · VideoGames Explained Iron Man 2 in Minutes | Recap YouTube · Movies in Minutes Iron Man 2 - ULTIMATE RECAP! YouTube · Film Cram! IRON MAN 2 Story Recap in 5 MINUTES!
: Iron Man and War Machine team up to destroy the drones and eventually defeat Vanko in his own upgraded armor. Using this, Tony synthesizes a new, non-toxic element
: Tony's business rival, Justin Hammer , fakes Vanko's death to break him out of prison, hoping Vanko will build a superior line of armored suits to upstage Stark Industries. Personal Crisis and S.H.I.E.L.D. Intervention
Believing he is near death, Tony becomes increasingly reckless, eventually getting drunk in his armor during his birthday party. His best friend, James "Rhodey" Rhodes , intervenes by donning a prototype Mark II armor. The two fight, and Rhodey ultimately confiscates the suit for the U.S. Air Force. While maintaining a confident public persona, Tony is
: In Russia, Ivan Vanko (Whiplash) builds his own arc reactor-powered electrified whips to avenge his father, Anton Vanko, who was once Howard Stark's partner before being deported for espionage.