Rating: Summary: X2 Marks the Spot! Review: To the film's credit, X2 does a sensational job at bridging the gap between believabilty and sheer nonsense. It is often difficult for a movie such as this to walk a fine line without crossing over it. Many motion picture writers and directors miss one very important aspect of filmmaking: Reason. You can fill a film with special effects and extraordinary characters, but if you don't have a good reason for why a character looks, behaves, or strives for something, then it is my belief that you are lost. The sequel chooses to have more fun in the wake of sheer unbelievabilty, while maintaining plausible and often unexpected reasoning behind each action and character trait, and therefore is superior to the original. Another credit to the filmmakers lies in the way they juggle an ensemble cast as large as X2. The later BATMAN movies proved that just because you have a big name in a role, doesn't mean people will always go along for the ride. This film manages better character development, in less time, with less familiar actors. I have never picked up an issue of the X-MEN comic, and my only knowledge of the story comes straight from the two films. But I must say that for as bizarre as this film is, it is very entertaining and, at moments, quite humorous. I also spoke to a number of patrons after the screening, and all agreed that X2 was more enjoyable than X-MEN. If you are a fan of the comic, I don't think you'll be at all disappointed. And if you think the whole idea seems ludicrous, I think you may be surprised.
Rating: Summary: Great fun Review: Better special effects, more action and an excellent opening sequence. Better then the first.
Rating: Summary: GOOD Review: X2 is soo much better then the first. Has action and has a good story. The cast did a better job in this one, Storm and Jean kick ... .
Rating: Summary: When Mutants Rise Review: X2, the long awaited sequel, does something very few sequels do, it's actually better than the original. After a lone mutant called Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) attacks the White House, one of the President's (Cotter Smith) top advisors, General Stryker (Brian Cox) visits an imprisioned Magneto (Ian McKellen) to pump him for infomation about Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his famed X-Men. As these forces gather, Storm (Halle Berry) and Dr. Jean Gray (Famke Janssen), are sent to find Nightcrawler, in the hopes of discovering the truth behind the White House attack. As the investigation begins Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) returns, after some time away, searching for clues, as to his true identity. The true nature of this mystery, ultmately forces Professor X, to confront the ghosts of his past. One of the problems that I had with the original film, was the way some of the major charaters got slighted in the story by having too many characters to keep track of. Well, I don't how director Bryan Singer managed to do it, but the sequel has even more characters this time out, and it's still better than the first film. While Cyclops (James Marsden) is still getting shortchanged here, everyone else is given some major screen time, and gets a chance to shine, as opposed to X1 Rouge (Anna Paquin) is still in the mix--this time with Iceman (Sean Ashmore) and Pyro (Aaron Stanford both of whom were all but cut from the first film) in tow. Even though the entire team is split up at various times throughout the film, we get to see the heroes work together more--which to me also helps the film. At one point, the movie even allows for Magneto to become an ally, but not for long. As with most sequels the action is notched up a bit. X2 is no exception There's plenty action and special effects. My favorite fight sequence though, is a confrontation between Wolverine and Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) As the clawed pair do battle--it's pretty cool Even as the daring do takes us away...Singer and the writers manage to slip in a message about accepting those who are different and a little more humor as well. X2 is longer than the previous adventure, but never seems to get bogged down, or lose its way. It breezes along at a good pace and sustains that pace throughout. With solid action, nice interaction, humor and a twist here and there, X2 is a well rounded comic book film. It has something that will please X fans like me and newcomers alike
Rating: Summary: WOW! Review: I am not a self-avowed comic-book junkie, but after having loved the original X-Men movie (2000) and being totally hooked by the trailers for the new film, I was first in line to see it opening day. The underlying story for this movie is an extension of the first one, only we know most of the characters and don't spend nearly as much time on their back-stories this time around. The mutants are in trouble again, and as in the first movie, Xavier and Magneto go head-to-head as to whether the mutants should try and resolve their issues peacefully or via war with non-mutants. The effects are AMAZING. This movie is almost non-stop action but also reveals more about Wolverine's past and furthers the development and screen time of more minor characters from the first film (like Iceman). There's also a new enemy, Deathstrike, who is AWESOME. The battle between Deathstrike and Wolverine is the best in the film. Long story short, THIS MOVIE ROCKS! Great story with a great (but non-preachy) message about tolerance, great effects, and the 2 hours+ flies by. The first of the summer blockbusters is definitely here.
Rating: Summary: steve Review: This movie was a joke. Talk about silly. It was way overdone, and if I have to see one more mutant either passing through a wall, or crawling on the floor, I will puke. I'm sorry, I just found myself in a state of boredom, and felt that the only strong part in the film was Wolverine and his "attitude." Don't wste your time unless you are a real comic fan.
Rating: Summary: Superior sequel that lays groundwork for the next... Review: I just got back from seeing this film and was pleasantly blown away! This film really concentrates on character building, but there is a great deal of action too! A few new X-men appear in the forms of Nightcrawler, a Christian who has made an ancient symbol on his body for every sin he has made; Skystrike, Wolverine's "twin" sister; Iceman, Rogue's new boyfriend who was in the first movie; Pyro, the fire-wielding, leaning towards the dark side youngster and several others who we don't actually meet, but I'm sure we'll learn more about them in the next segment. It was funny how 2:23 passed so quickly. I will see it a couple more times in the theatre because you leave feeling VERY SATISFIED. Way to go X2, you should be a summer smash!!
Rating: Summary: The long awaited sequel was worth the wait! Review: X2: the X-men United was excellent. It is definitely one of the best movies of 2003! The special effects were cool and it's really hard not to like this. This action packed sequel is one of the best sequels I've ever seen. It'll probably top the long list of sequels that are being released this year. The special effects were the most fascinating thing in this movie. There is also more character development. The story is great, the cast ensemble is perfect, and the special effects are visually stunning. The movie is inspiring, thought-provoking, funny. Most of the cast from the 2000 box-office hit returned. This includes the Oscar-winning actresses Anne Paquin (Rogue) and Halle Berry (Storm). Mystique is chubbier, Storm got a haircut, Famke Janssen got a trim, and Wolverine has a female version of him so yes, a lot has changed. Night crawler (Alan Cumming) is quite annoying but I like Kelly Hu. She makes a great female Wolverine! There are several memorable scenes in this sequel and the movie has all the charm that great movies need. The X-men movie franchise is in my opinion the best comic book to movie franchise ever. The movie gets quite crazy but it remains on the topic. It's the most expensive movie ever made in Canada! It's the most rambling superhero saga to date! It has everything that an excellent movie needs. It has a story, a theme, cinematography, a good score, a great cast, and impressive special effects (something that big destruction movies really need). This time the movie is funnier and it's as fictional as a movie can get. It really concentrated on it's fantasy storyline. The story revolves around the X-men, the good mutant group that consists of mutants, each born with a distinctive genetic mutation, which manifested itself astonishing powers. They live in a world that fears them but the X-men protect the people. They are Magneto's enemies. Magneto is the leader of the evil mutant group but is in a plastic prison at the moment. He escapes. In the meantime Wolverine travels across Canada in search of his whereabouts and meets a 'female' Wolverine (played by Kelly Hu) and this continues the tradition of the fascinating kung fu moves in the X-men movies (The Mystique-Wolverine fight in X-men marked the beginning of it). The X-men face their most dangerous mission yet. They have to combat against their enemies, Magneto's gang, that threatens people and mutants too. Overall it's a thunderous, explosive, dazzling sensory overload that takes us into its world for over two hours but leaves us rather unchanged by the experience. Bryan Singer is such a good director that it makes you see why it's important to have a director who was once the comic-book's fan, direct the movie (same thing happened with Spiderman). The frustrations are without difficulty overshadowed by the fine look of the motion picture.
Rating: Summary: The Ultimate X-Men Movie Review: Just got back from a midnight showing, and I must say this exceeded all my expectations. The action was phenemonal. The acting was superb for what it is. Everything was flawless. There are two lines of dialogue I would change, and the ending was a massive teaser for the next film. I hope Singer is working on it already. Reccommended even for those who didn't like the first one.
Rating: Summary: Simply Amazing Review: I just now finished wathing it and I thought I'd share my thoughts with you. The movie was Simply Amazing!!! Director Bryan Singer wasn't kidding when he said that in this movie, they could all let loose and just have a lot more freedom to do things with all of the characters that he couldn't in the first one. It was non stop action throughout the film and the story progressed nicely without a hitch. Well...there was one scene that made me say, "aww...why'd the go and do that for" ( a certain steel-skinned Russian..didn't have a russian accent. ) The film was cranked up a notch toward the end and all of the characters equally got some action. Also, the ending was a lovely surprise that will leave x-fans yearning for more. The cast was excellent having kept most of the originaly cast, the sound was decent but one of the main highlights of course was the special effects. Wow. Matrix Reloaded will probably be it's only contender this summer. I liked the first X-men movie but I ablsolutely love X-2 Mutants United. Luckily I live across the street from a movie theater and I'll be able to see it many many times over. X-men RULE!!! ( X )
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