Sci-fi sequels are always hit or miss, even if they follow cool originals. Anyone remember the travesty of Lawnmower Man 2: Jobe's War? The first X-Men was not a really good movie, which makes its impressive sequel all that more impressive.
When the president of the United States is attacked by a mutant (Alan Cumming), it motivates the administration to let Donald Rumsfe-- ahem-- Gen. Stryker (Brian Cox) round them all up. When Magneto (Ian McKellan) escapes from his plastic prison, he must form an alliance with the very mutants who put him there or risk the destruction of all mutants. If you recall, these mutants include good-looking people Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden and arguably Anna Paquin, all under the wise leadership of Patrick Stewart. But oh if it were only that simple. It appears this Stryker guy may have further sinister plans against mutants and may also hold the key to Wolverine finding his true identity.
The obvious bonuses of this film are the excellent computer and make-up effects, the engrossing action choreography and the keen eye of director Bryan Singer. Being a film about mutants, it really doesn't have much in the way of boundaries. Any character can be written that does pretty much any thing and if we're talking about controlling fire or shapeshifting, etc., then there are plenty of fun things to watch.
The acting is all pretty decent considering the absurdity of some of the situations. Hugh Jackman is a totally watchable movie star with a credibility that outshines his silly haircut. Brian Cox, although I'm getting a little tired of seeing him in every movie, is delightfully evil. Rebecca Romjin-Stamos's Mystique is further developed and a real joy to watch. Alan Cumming is appealing as the Nightcrawler, who also has impressive effects sequences and a rather complicated character. It's actually ironic that Nightcrawler is a religious Christian while the film's overlying theme is anti-creationism. Famke Janssen makes a believable Dr. Grey while James Marsden makes an unbelievably bad Scott Summers. Aaron Stanford makes a pretty interesting Pyro and Shawn Ashmore a wimpy yet appealing Iceman. Anna Paquin sort of gives me the creeps, but it's not entirely ineffective for the character of Rogue.
We all know Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart can do no wrong. Along these lines, if minority groups had leaders half as eloquent as Professor Charles Xavier, they'd make a lot more progress. When Professor X talks to the president, I feel something may get done. Al Sharpton doesn't give me this same feeling for some reason. Speaking of minorities, they are surprisingly under-represented in a film of this subject. Yeah, there's a few purple people, but Halle Berry is the only black one and she has white hair! Her performance also leaves a lot to be desired. Kelly Hu is the only Asian, and although her mutant combat scenes are thrilling, she doesn't have much to say.
What sets X2 apart from a lot of comic book movies is its complexity. There are perhaps too many characters, but they all have well-constructed dimensions, each with impressive abilities and sympathetic shortcomings. Whereas in the first movie Wolverine was just rude to everyone for no reason, here we finally want to know what happened to him to make him this way. Similarly effective (if not at least amusing) are the soap opera elements like two young mutants in love or the challenges of adult mutant fidelity.
Metaphorically, the topic of minority oppression is fleshed out much better in this sequel. It struggles over staying simple enough to propel the action, but can't help raising questions. Does it make a difference if you're born a mutant or turned into one? Aren't there some mutants that must be contained because nothing could stop them from using their powers to rob banks? And, most glaringly, wouldn't a mutant problem be more global? Like most comic book movies, X2 is unabashedly patriotic and sees the issue of mutant oppression as only being significant within American borders. The entire mutant future hinges on the actions of the president of the United States. But still, for a comic book adventure, the subject matter is enjoyable relevant. For example, when a young mutant reveals to his parents that he has the ability to freeze things with his breath (I see a toothpaste commercial here), his family rejects him and his mother wants to know if he ever tried not being a mutant. Sort of reminds me of when I told my parents I was a transsexual. (No, Mom! I'm the only son or daughter you'll ever have!)
The film is still a blockbuster, however, and makes sure not to cover too much new ground. It relies on classic tools like the ticking-clock (in this case a bursting dam) and the setup for a guaranteed sequel (which I'm sure they wish they could call XXX). There are moments of over-the-top corniness, particularly as the film draws near its end. But for a special-effects film, and a sequel at that, X2 is hugely entertaining. A-
