X-Men 2 Reviews

Not much of an evolution

Bryan Singer's 'X-Men' was a fair attempt at making an intelligent take on the comic-book genre, accessible to both newcomers and hardcore fans. The film presented a world where mutants walk among us causing prejudice and hostility.

'X-Men 2' or 'X2'(as it insists on calling itself) picks up shortly after the first film's finale. Magneto(Ian McKellan) is incarcerated in his plastic cell, Wolverine(Hugh Jackman) is taking some time off to investigate his past, and the mutants are generally getting back to whatever it is mutants do. But when an unknown mutant attacks the president, it's the perfect opportunity for military advisor William Stryker(Brian Cox) to launch an offensive against them. He's given the go-ahead to attack the X-Men's school, but he has darker motives behind his actions.

All this is neatly summed up in a pacy, exciting opening half-hour, confidently handled by Singer. It seems to promise a thrilling ride, but the film instantly grinds to a halt.

The main problem with this overplotted movie is the fact that there's too many characters doing too many things in too many different directions. Singer seems determined to focus equally on each of the disparate strands of the plot, lending the film a bloated feel.

Singer has again assembled an impressive cast. Hugh Jackman is again on form as Wolverine, Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart are excellent(especially in their scenes together) and Alan Cumming is a fine addition to the team. Halle Berry and James Marsden fail to bring much to the party while Brian Cox is a disappointing villain.

There's still much to enjoy here. Ian Mckellan's prison break is a stand-out scene and the attacks on the school and the white house are both brilliantly handled. But the messy climax manages to feel both rushed and overlong, and there's the nagging feeling that a good 20 minutes here could be easily lost.

The X-Men series is all about evolution, but this entry in the franchise is a case of arrested development.

Best super-hero film ever

Forget about "Superman", "Batman", "Spiderman", "Dick Tracey", "Daredevil" and maybe even "X-Men 1". This is probably the best adaptation of super-hero comics on the screen ever made. A very wholesome and entertaining film that has something to say. Basically, the human kind is made of different groups, there are bad and good people in the other group as well as in mine. It breaks down prejudice into a much more complex issue than just being black or white. In "X-Men 2", we see 2 sides fight (or try not to) with good and bad characters in both sides. Good characters die as well as bad ones. Some good ones decide to change sides. This movie actually gives a new credibility to a genre that has been very caricatural so far. Good acting, good plot, excellent special effects. Thrill, love, action and suspense. Everything in more quantities than in the first one but for a reason: it pleases the audience that expects more, but it also serves a story that, considering the excellent quality of this sequel, was probably already written before the first one was out. If you are amateur of the genre, don't miss it!

wolverine, wolverine

this film is even better than the first. wolverine is again brilliant and Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler is amazing. a stroke of genius casting him. this is a great film. thoughtprovoking through the use of predjudice and discrimination, yet very funny (the cat licking the claws) an excellent film in everyway.

Four and a half stars.

A great movie. The opening sequence is fantastic, giving us an insight into just how powerful a 'creature' Nightcrawler is. Once again though, Wolverine's character is given the most focus. The film is on the long side however, if you like the comic book style movies (ala spiderman, xmen(1)), then this won't dissapoint. The fight scenes are great. The one criticism i do have is the fact that as yet (in both movies) we have yet to see just what Cyclops is capable of; if the comic is to be believed, Cyclops is something very special. Moreoever, we havent yet seen Rogue tranformed into one of the most powerful mutants on Earth, yet there are indications that Jean Gray is already at a stage where she is ready to take on the role of 'Pheonix'! Perhaps the audience is never going to be shown Rogue as a flying, strong woman with a serious attitude problem.

Great stuff!

Very Good

This movie is very good. It is better than the origional (strangly) and I wish I had rented it sooner. II thought all of the characters were played well, there was a good storyline which did have real meanings behind it, whilst still being light-hearted. Well worth a watch..

[Highly rated reviewer]

Better than the original shocker!

And the original was pretty good, one of the better comic book screen adaptions in fact, but this is better, with a superior script and better action sequences. Instead of the mutants fighting each other this time they’re united against a rogue Army Commander (Brian Cox) who decides the earth would be better off without the guys and gals in the fetching outfits and kooky abilities, so he engineers a conflict and kidnaps Dr Xavier in order to perpetuate his evil plan.

So follows the usual muscular action sequences of which the opener is superbly kinetic and exciting, and lots of terse dialogue as the plot hurtles forward at breakneck speed.

The actors are fine in their limited roles. Jackman looks moody and growls a lot, Patrick Stewart is well… Patrick Stewart, a role he plays really well, while Halle Berry looks bored. Alan Cummings adopts a German accent so thick it should wear a dunce’s hat.

A sub-plot about transformation is a blatant rip off of a “Star Trek Voyager” episode but hints at one direction the series could head and the clash of good/bad mutants is set up nicely for X Men 3. Here's hoping it’s as much fun as this one.

[Highly rated reviewer]

When will these people learn how to fly?

The film begins with an assassination attempt on the president's life, carried out by a teleporting mutant. This act upsets the entire world, and the president is about to begin the mutant-human war predicted by Charles Xavier. In an effort to get to the bottom of the attack on the president's life, and prevent world-wide war, Xavier sends out Storm and Dr. Jean Grey to search for the teleporting mutant and discover the truth behind the assassination attempt.

X2 is a marvellous adventure. Everything seems to lock into place in it's own way, firing on all cylinders and hitting the bullseye every time. With a shocking twist at the end creating a grand finale, X2 is up there with the best superhero films.

The only real complaint is the lack of character development, but this fortunately doesn't detract from the film in entertainment stakes.

X-Men 2

Ten times better than the first.

There are a lot more powers, and a lot more mutants. The film starts with action and ends with action. There are young and older X-Men, for all ages, and good and bad mutants to contend with. This is a must.

There are explosions deaths and wierd bullet tricks. Got to see with your own eyes, trust me.

I recommend to anyone who can rent it!!!!!

Excellent

I had not seen the first X Men but I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Action packed and compulsive viewing

If you enjoyed the first one, then you will love this one! Excellent special effects and character development make this film a must for X-men fans. It did, however, leave me screaming for a different ending as I was sure the youngster's powers could have been used to solve the problem! lol