X-Men 2

[Nash]

Originally posted by Thief~Silver
I think to say things about the VERY end is the worst, not in the middle.

Nash I think you got that reversed, but those are the exact words. I'm pretty sure Cyclops called logan the dick.

no, i'm positive. the exchange wouldn't be as funny had cyclops called logan a dick. and anyway, why would cyclops need to verify himself? logan was the one who fought mystique, doubling herself as him.

[Thief Silver]

True, forgive my foolishness.

Well actually, the three of them did split up at one point, but your right.

[Despair]

I cant say that I am a big comic book fan. I do like alot of comic book characters, some big screen comic book adaptations are on the list of my favorite movies(The Crow, Blade, Daredevil). I do like Xmen unvirse, and I spent my share of time watching the X-men Animated series on tv. When original Xmen film, hit the movie theaters 2 years ago, many people were less than happy with the results of the translation to the big screen, but I liked that film. It had cool characters, decent plot(I mean we talking a comic book here), some cool fight and special fx sequences. What else does big summer action film needs? And now as I'm writing a review for the saga continuation: X2, you might ask me: "Does this movie is good as the original?" and I will gladly say "Yes. Way Better".

It doesnt happen very often, when the sequel is as good as the original film, and even more rare when its much better. But with X2 its just the case. Everything is bigger, better and more fun. It opens with amazing action sequence, that awes you, and then proceede to unfold the story before your eyes, almost never slowing down, till the end. The temp is perfect, you wont find yourself bored, looking at your watch and hoping it to end, unless you not fan of action or comic book films, and all the action happening on the screen is giving you a headache. Then this film is not for you, but you probably wouldnt go and see it anyway

Screenplay wise, while not the most logical story ever, it gets the job done, and you wont spent time trying to find the logic holes. X2 doesnt spent any time trying to tell you a backstory of the event that happened in the original film, and instead just throws you into the middle of things. Almost every character from the first film comes back in the sequel(some for bigger parts than others), and it also introduces a huge group of new faces, both humans and mutants. New characters like NightCrawler or menacing Lady Death Strike, have great scenes(I will talk about those little later), but returning players dont feel abandoned as well, as Wolverin is meaner, badder and Extremely deadly nowdays, and Magneto shows the world that he indeed is a dangerous mutant with a deadly agenda. But the real vilians this time are humans - military man Stryker, with his Special Forces team, and deadly plan of his own, wont stop at nothing to get his plan to fruition.

Bryan Singer did a great job directing, and his style improved quite a bit. As I mentioned, he doent waste much time explaining the past events, and instead focus on the present situation, keeping the viewers entertained and excited.

Cast did an amazing job. Hugh Jackman is a Wolverine for me. Troubled by the lack of the memories of his past, plagued by nightmares of things he cant remember, he is much more grittier today, and his action sequences show how truly deadly he is. Jackman does awesome job, and he is not one of my favorite male actors in Hollywood. Cant wait to see him in next year Van Helsing, and hopefully back in X3.

Ian MacKellan returns as evil Magneto, and its somewhat a weird to see him playing leader of group of bad mutans, after playing good wizard Gendalf in LOTR films, but he does great job. And so does Patrik Stewart as Professor X.

Female cast is top notch, with Halle Berry, Famke Jensen, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos doing great as their characters, looking beautiful and kicking ass.

New faces such as Allan Cumming as NightCrawler(my favorite new mutant in the film) look great, while others (Pyro being a prime example) didnt work as well for me. Still, it was great to see all the characters you came to like in the past, and filmakers even have alot of neat references to the comic books, that fans will notice and enjoy.

Brian Cox played film's main villian, Gen. William Stryker, and he did a good job, as he came out as a ruthless and fanatical to his cause of destruction of all mutant kind.

Now I'll will talk about the most important part - the Action scenes. What can I say, I was very impressed. Everything in action department improved tremendlessly. Fights are much more brutal, pushing film's PG13 rating quite a bit. Its been a while since I seen PG13 film, where I could enjoy action and bodycount, and X2 delivered. It openes with amazing Attack on White House sequence, that showcases great use of special fx and creativity, as you can see NightCrawler teleporting in and out, toying with guards, and smacking them around. Truly one of the best scenes in the film. Wolverine and Lady Death Strike showdown is another great scene(best fight in the film for me), and its extremely brutal. I didnt find it too short, nor I had problems with fight choreography or the way it was shot. Unlike recent Bulletproof Monk, everything was done JUST RIGHT. There are many other sequences, few involving Nightcrawler being film's highlights for me. Attack on the School where Stryker's commandos break in and attack the children, with Wolverine fighting them off is another highlight. This time around Wolverine is wild, and the way he dispatches the commandos, got alot of cheers from the audience. Again it was done just right.

I really enjoyed this film, and while I do have a few nitpicks about it. Closer to the end, it felt like they tried to pile up extreme situations, one after another, and it felt somewhat unnatural, and dragged just a bit. The sad moment close to the end, came out little too funny to for, just because of the way it was done. Also few of the things that happened were just too convinient but since its a fantasy film, we cant really complain about that.

The overall experience was a great oneGood to see Summer 2003 open up with the Bang, and lets hope the rest of the films coming out in the next few months will be able to be as fun and entertaining as X2.

[ssbomberman]

Saw this at the drive in and enjoyed it. I love the way they open the door for the Dark Phoenix Saga (which I think is one of the best storylines in the X-men comics) to be the next movie.

Okay -- what mutant was the little kid changing the channels with his eyes in the mansion?

And what mutant was Wolvie holding at the very end?

And what character was Jason? Isn't he part of the New Mutants?

[ssbomberman]

Originally posted by LordPerrin
Well, I've seen the track list for the OST CD... one of the titles is "Rogue Earns Her Wings"... take that as you will.I can't speak to the veracity of the rumor of retaining Magneto's powers, aside from to say that according to how her power works in the comics, Magneto would be dead if that were true... but the hair streak didn't come from Magneto, it came from the mutation machine sucking her life force.

Unless Rogue permanently sucks the powers from a mutant her powers are only temporary. She gets her powers by sucking out Miss Marvel's powers completely -- which would mean they would have to introduce her whole storyline. Which obviusly they didn't do. Plus Rogue can suck powers and have them last for a little while, like she takes Collosus' powers often to fight, etc...they downplay this in the movie since I guess she hasn't learned that she can hold the powers for a limited time after touching them...

Lady D was totally different but cool -- she hung out mostly with the Reavers and group of badass cyborgs -- that the Punisher ends up fighting in one of his comics.

Pyro is evil and is part of the Brotherhood along with Avalanche, Blob and others...

Collosus is a student and makes a cameo in the first one -- he is Russian though and didn't sound it to me in the movie -- I would love to see so many other mutants than Gambit in this new one -- like the original Psylocke before she became super sexy ninja Psylocke...

Okay -- who was the kid changing channels on the TV with his eyes?

And who was the mutant Wolvie was holding at the end?

Also, is Jason that powerful member of the New Mutants with the spiked hair like Guile?

I doubt they will go completely into Phoenix without major changes, there is just too much to deal with...but I like the ending because she was basically unable to control herself and knew she had to do this -- that's why when Professor X looks out the window at the very end and says everything will be okay, that's because he knows Jean will be back...

[maruchan]

I would also like to add.. That Iceman would have easily blocked the water coming, with enough time to freeze it. I know its nothing like the comics, but how many millions of times has icemena, stoped a large body of water by freezing it..

I hope icemean goes into full ice form in the next film, and does his surf ice thing..

Umm does anyone think that their setting up a big fight between Iceman and Pyro for the next film..

[ssbomberman]

Originally posted by maruchan
I would also like to add.. That Iceman would have easily blocked the water coming, with enough time to freeze it. I know its nothing like the comics, but how many millions of times has icemena, stoped a large body of water by freezing it..

I hope icemean goes into full ice form in the next film, and does his surf ice thing..

Umm does anyone think that their setting up a big fight between Iceman and Pyro for the next film..

Ice Man is still developing, but not only that he is still a student and doesn't yet have the confidence to fight -- that's why Pyro is so upset and goes with Magneto where he can live up to his potential. Notice Ice never really fights in the film? It's the same with Rogue, they are still getting used to their powers.

A lot of things could have happened -- but Jean wanted it to happen this way -- Jean wouldn't let Nightcrawler transport to her and I bet she would have stopped anyone else trying to use their powers -- she was even able to talk through Prof X, which proves how power she had become...and she knew she had to let herself burn up to be reborn...

[Nash]

nice review, jeremy... er... i mean despair.

[Despair]

You got problem with my reviews? Do ya Punk?

[Drewbacca]

I think the guy changing the channels is named Twitch. However that is pretty much made up, straight from my arse.

Anyhoo. I think the Jean saga will be interesting. I don't think anybody wants a direct port from the comic books as something vital WOULD be tampered with and public outcry would ensue. Plus it's more original and fun to watch if you don't know everything.

Collosus was awesome and Pietro (I think that's Quicksilvers name) would be amazing. He was always weak minded, wasn't he? I thought he was magneto's son and often switched between the good and the bad sides, conflicted.

Pyro was also cool. I wish that bitch Rogue didn't steal his power, I would have LOVED to see more killing!