X-Men 2 (DVD)

...Little History

X-Men is a comic book creation from Stan Lee and Jack kirby. Conceived in 1963, the comic book still goes strong to this day, and tells adventures of a group of humans who differ due to genetic evolution and are known as 'mutants'. This is the second feature film of the comic book series.

The Plot

This second installment of the X Men films hits s much deeper note than the first, touching ...
...by an unknown mutant, the X-Men find themselves joining forces with Magneto and his henchmen in order to save mutants as a whole. The assassination attempt has heightened the fear in the human race, and they are calling for the extinction of the mutant race! It is the joining of enemies for the greater good.

The Cast and Performances

The original cast from 2000's X Men return in their roles for X2. HUgh Jackman performs ... more

When Bryan Singer directed X Men in 2000, he always maintained that it was merely setting the scene for a bigger and better film version of the much loved comic book. In 2003's X Men 2, he shows what he meant as he directs a returning cast on top form and with a meaningful plotline.

X-Men is a comic book creation from Stan Lee and Jack kirby. Conceived in 1963, the comic book still goes strong to this day, and tells adventures of a group of humans who differ due to genetic evolution and are known as 'mutants'. This is the second feature film of the comic book series.

This second installment of the X Men films hits s much deeper note than the first, touching on the effect the mutants and their exposure has on the rest of the world, as well as the fear of the unknown and the unfamiliar. After an assassination attempt on the President of the United States by an unknown mutant, the X-Men find themselves joining forces with Magneto and his henchmen in order to save mutants as a whole. The assassination attempt has heightened the fear in the human race, and they are calling for the extinction of the mutant race! It is the joining of enemies for the greater good.

The original cast from 2000's X Men return in their roles for X2. HUgh Jackman performs very well as Wolverine, and in this film we get to see the true beast behind 'Logan' as the Xavier Mansion comes under threat. Halle Berry as Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey and James Marsden as Cyclops do very well in a more supporting role, deferring to Wolverine as the X Man under the spotlight. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen do steal, though, as Professor Xavier and Magneto respectively. The interaction between them and the realisation that they have to work as a team comes across very well on the screen. Brian Cox also gives a good turn as Colonel Stryker. The newest main character in the film is the mutant Nightcrawler, the German teleporter played beautifully by Alan Cumming.

This is a very good sequel to X-Men. The first film kind of paved the way for a film such as this by setting the scene and providing an overview on the X-Men and mutants. X2 has much deeper political topics on show, and they are handled with great maturity. People may find parity in these issues with many issues at large in the world currently as well, particularly with terrorism so much in the fore these days. Political unrest and a lack of trust are also dealt with, but the best part is that these are done so in a fantastical way. You never get the impression that this is TOO real, as it involves mutants, works of fiction. This combination of driving home real issues in such a creative manner makes this film work very well.

A criticism I have of this film is that at times it does seem to drag. I do not wish to contradict myself, and the plot is very good, but sometimes the script drags it out a bit too much. The film is 128 minutes in length, perhaps it could have been less.

A very good sequel, definitely in the ranks of sequels that are as good as the first film. I rate X Men 2 at 4 stars, as I have done X Men (2000).

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