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And lo, on the second day of May, in the year of our Lord two-
thousand and three, the fan community gathered in theatres across
the country, and after two hours and fifteen minutes had run their
course, they let out a mass collective "SQUEEEEEEE!" at the
sheer excellence of X-Men 2: X-Men United.
For an X-Fan, this movie was an absolute dream come true, and
for non-fans, it was still a damned fine film. I was nearly incoherent
for two weeks after watching it, but Im a big-time geek, and for big-
time spoiler reasons that will be discussed much further down. If
you have yet to see the film, and shame if thats so, stop reading
now, or soon, because Im very likely to mention something you
dont want to read.
This was one of those rare sequels that takes everything good
about the first film, and expands upon it, without making things
worse, and actually becoming a better film than the original.
All of the heroes are back again this time, as well as Senator Kelly,
Magneto, and Mystique, and since we know everyone from the first
film, we just barrel forward with these characters, fleshing out their
personalities, and exhibiting their abilities in new, fun ways, that
could only be done when you dont have to take time out to explain
everything, as with a first film. The budget is also bigger, so those
abilities are really spectacular this time around.
Every actor puts in an amazing performance. Believable, layered,
and all the right emotions. One of the main complaints is that some
of the characters are poorly used, and that is indeed true, but those
moments when Cyclops, for example, is on screen - especially after
he returns from being missing for a good half the film - is some
excellent acting, and some of the best Ive seen in any film lately,
let alone a movie that is primarily an action film.
Which is another thing. Much like the first film, this isnt just an
action film, with bland story weakly supporting a nothing plot thats
just there to get the characters to the next big explosion. There is a
good story here, with morals, rights and wrongs, gray areas, and
characterization that makes you give a damned about these
characters when the bad stuff happens.
And there is plenty of bad stuff.
Not everyone makes it through this movie alive, and I could not be
happier.
Throughout this film, Jeans powers are shown to be growing.
Shes losing control, electronics are going haywire, and her eyes
flash with orange flames from time to time, leading up to a
spectacular climax, where Jean sacrifices herself so that everyone
else can escape, buried under billions of gallons of water, just as
her body is encircled by growing flames.
Yes, the Phoenix is solidly established as on its way in this film.
So my opinions of the film may be a bit biased, but a lot of folks are
agreeing with me.
This movie perfectly expanded the mutant problem, bringing the
humans squarely into the conflict, a logical extension of things,
bringing the bystanders and often-time victims into the larger
struggle, making things much more complicated for the good guys.
While not a perfect movie, this is one of the best action flicks on
multiple levels, from acting, to writing, to directing, to effects,
to . . . well, action.
Can we have X-Men 3 now? Please?
Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!
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