Summer Cinema: X2
Hollywood is all about trends. If you notice, movies tend to come in waves. One summer it was volcano movies, another one featured warring spy movies. Not all of these trends are a good thing, but this latest trend-sequels that are better than original-is one of the best things that could have happened. And “X2: X-men United” is definitely better than the original.
Maybe it was because the characters were already introduced in the first movie and we didn’t have to get to know them. Maybe it was better because director Bryan Singer had one under his belt already and knew what worked and what didn’t. Maybe it was because there was a better script. Or maybe it was the new wig Halle Berry donned to reprise her role as Storm that actually resembled real hair.
Whatever the reason, “X2” was one heart-pounding thrill ride worth the wait. The intertwining story lines told the story of Wolverine’s (Hugh Jackman) search for his origins and Jean Gray’s (Famke Jannsen) loss of control over her telekinetic powers. At the same time, Colonel William Stryker’s (Brian Cox) is trying to rid the world of mutants, Magneto (Ian McKellen) is seeking revenge for his imprisonment and the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), are trying to maintain the delicate peace between human and mutantkind.
For fans of the comic books, the best part of the film may be spotting and naming the various characters scattered throughout the film. These include Siren, Kitty, Beast and Colossus to name a few. This second romp also adds Alan Cummings as the blue teleporting mutant Nightcrawler, who is featured in the film’s heart-stopping assassination attempt that kicks off the action.
Stryker uses the assassination attempt as an excuse to invade the professor’s school for the gifted where a lone Wolverine has to fend off the attackers and rescue as many of the students as he can. After the Professor is captured, the X-men must team up with an escaped Magneto to rescue him before Stryker can use his unwitting prisoner’s powers to kill every mutant on the planet.
Those not familiar with the comics may be slightly lost and disappointed by the climactic end of the film, but diehards will revel in the references to the Phoenix. Let’s just say that some interesting things could happen in the next sequel (which everyone but Berry has signed on for).
Now don’t get the wrong idea, “X2” is not just for diehard fans. The references to the comics are subtle, and do not overshadow the plot and action that makes this such a fun film to watch. The film has enough action and excitement for anyone looking for a good way to kick off the summer season with a bang.
Grade: A-