Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pag...
Seems like we're getting back on an even keel with the rating viewings now. Quite liking the new pages in a way. Thanks for all your rates.
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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.
A 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 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 Cast and Performances
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.
My Opinion
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.
This follows the same mould as X Men in giving the comic book a more modern uplift, with the characters again appearing leather-clad. One of my few criticisms with the first film is that too much attention is paid to Wolverine in comparison with the other X-Men, and the same could be said here, too, of X Men 2. However, this time we have the deeper plotlines, which masks character favouring.
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.
Conclusion
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).
Thanks for reading.
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Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
X-Men 2picks up almost directly whereX-Menleft off: misguided super-villain Magneto (Ian ... more
McKellan) is still a prisoner of the US government, heroic bad-boy Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is up in Canada investigating his mysterious origin, and the events at ...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
X-Men 2picks up almost directly whereX-Menleft off: misguided super-villain Magneto (Ian ... more
McKellan) is still a prisoner of the US government, heroic bad-boy Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is up in Canada investigating his mysterious origin, and the events at ...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
The time has come for those who are different to stand united... The X-Men have to band ... more
together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President's life while the Mutant Academy at Westchester is attacked by military forces prompti...
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Hatred and distrust brew between human and mutantkind. An unprovoked mutant attack on the ... more
President gives General William Stryker (Brian Cox) his long-awaited opportunity to wage all-out war against the mutants.A war that would leave only one race vict...
![X Men 2 [DVD] [2003]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78534842.jpg "X Men 2 [DVD] [2003]")
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