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- Cert:
- Running time: 134 minutes
- Year: 2003
- Released: 2nd May 2003
- Widescreen Ratio: 2.35:1
Director:
- Brian Singer
(The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil, X-Men)
Producers:
- Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter
Screenplay:
- Michael Dougherty
(from a story by David Hayter, based on characters created by Jack Kirby & Stan Lee)
Music:
- John Ottman
Cinematographer:
- Newton Thomas Sigel
Cast:
- Professor Charles Xavier/X: Patrick Stewart
Magneto: Ian McKellen
Wolverine: Hugh Jackman
William Stryker: Brian Cox
Dr. Jean Grey: Famke Janssen
Cyclops: James Marsden
Storm: Halle Berry
Nightcrawler: Alan Cumming
Rogue: Anna Paquin
Mystique: Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
Senator Robert Kelly: Bruce Davison
Deathstrike: Kelly Hu
Pyro: Aaron Stanford
Iceman: Shawn Ashmore
President McKenna: Cotter Smith
Brian Singer(The Usual Suspects)seemed a strange choice to helm theoriginal X-Men movieback in 1999, but his thoughtful, serious-mindedresult breathed life into the current comic-book trend after itsapparent death with the deplorableBatman & Robin;resulting directly in 2002 blockbusterSpider-Manand this year’s Hulk.
That said, Singer’s original film, while not a failure, was quiteunderwhelming given the possibilities the X-Men premise holds. This wasmostly due to the relatively low budget Singer had to play with, and theregrettable, but necessary, exposition to explain the X-Men universe toaudiences untouched by the X-Men mythos.
The first thing noticeable is that X-Men 2’s plot raises the stakesconsiderably when mutant-hater William Stryker is given permission toretaliate against mutants following one’s assassination attempt of theUS President.
Stryker has his own secret history with mutants, particularly regardingthe murky origins of Wolverine, and his dream to rid the world of thegenetic “freaks” lends considerable weight to villainous mutantMagento’s assertion that a war looms between mutants and humans…
X-Men 2 is certainly a more expansive movie than its progenitor. Freedfrom the masses of exposition, Singer finally breaks loose and has realfun with the characters and abundant special-effects at his disposal.
The serious undertone of the first movie isn’t totally forgotten, justpushed into the background more by the rousing action sequences and newselection of mutants to marvel at: Pyro, Iceman, Deathstrike,Nightcrawler, et al.
The original cast all return, settling in very snugly. Theever-dependable Hugh Jackman gets more rage-fuelled action this time asWolverine, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos has more chances to steam up the screenas creepy shape-shifter Mystique, Famke Jansen’s role as telekineticJean Grey is expanded, while Halle Berry’s Storm is a more satisfyingaddition than previously.
With such a large cast, there are the expected casualties: PatrickStewart‘s Professor X and Ian McKellen‘s Magneto are all involved, butslightly pushed to the background by necessity for the plot andservicing of the central cast. James Marsden‘s Cyclops is absent formuch of Act II (again, a victim of plotting), while other characters aresatisfied to steal scenes – step forward Alan Cumming‘s wonderfulNightcrawler and Kelly Hu‘s physically impressive Deathstrike.
There are some fabulous moments sprinkled throughout X2, all brought tovivid life by the special-effects and stunt teams. Of particular note isthe remarkably punchy Nightcrawler assassination attempt, apulse-pounding tornado chase with the X-Jet and a brutal Deathstrikeversus Wolverine duel.
As with the first movie, the plot is quite rudimentary, but morespirited than the weak modus operandi of Magento last time around. Thepacing is also remarkably brisk; managing to fill the extrathirty minutes the sequel has to play with ease.
Of course, X2 isn’t without its faults. As stated earlier, it doesn’tcompare tonally with the excellent first 20 minutes of the original,opting instead for a more full-on approach to the heroics. It can alsobe argued that the expanding cast results in poor background roles forsome of the teenaged ‘X-Kids’, such as energy-sapping Rogue (AnnaPaquin) and her new friends Pyro and Iceman.
But overall, X-Men 2 is that rare thing: a sequel that surpasses itsoriginal in almost every way. I doubt anyone will be terriblydisappointed and comic-book fans should enjoy the in-jokes (the minorrole for Colossus, plus glimpses of Jubilee, Gambit, and others). X2 isa satisfying, high-octane sequel with action, heart, likeablecharacters, tongue-in-cheek humour, spectacular effects, snappy stuntsand quick pace.
X-cellent.
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Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.