Iron Man was "better" but Iron Man 2 is very close. Better how? The creation of the character to me is more interesting than the continuation of the character. I liked the continuity between these two movies, had the same feel to them. Great actors...I just wanted to smack Hammer he was so smarmy and obnoxious, and who makes a better villian who needs-a-good-grooming-session than Mickey Rourke!?! I will add this to my limited movie collection when it comes out on DVD.