X-Men 2
Review by Clint Morris
 They
are the next link in the evolutionary chain. Each was born
with a unique gentic mutation, which manifested itself in
extraordinary powers.
In a world increasingly filled with hatred and prejudice,
they are outcasts who are feared and loathed by those who
cannot accept their differences.
Yet, despite society's pervasise ignorance, the X-men and
thousands of mutants across the wor....
Screw the introduction, there ain't no better way of saying
the "X Men" are back than to shout "Sit down",
"Shut Up" and "Hang On", because Marvel's
indifferent crew of culminary power are back -- and they're
bigger, badder and super-charged with razzle dazzle glase.
Proffesor Xavier [Patrick Stewart] is still in belief that
a peaceful co-existence between humans and mutants can exist,
while imprisoned Magneto [Ian McKellen] is adamant that humans
should be completely taken out of the picture.
William Stryker [Brian Cox] is a man bitterly convinced that
no good can come from a world where Mutants can co-exist with
humans. After all, his son is a mutant and he can barely look
him in the face.
So what's the solution? Start with Xavier and his school
of all-aged mutant.
With the students of the school, as well as Xavier and Cyclops
[James Marsden], the X Men team up with old foes Magneto and
Mystique to make sure no one gets to the punch at this party
before they've truly arrived.
What made The X-Men so enjoyable was the way it spoke
to an audience. Yes, it's a superhero movie, but as creator
Stan Lee will tell, he created the X-Men as not just another
band of heroes, but those that have much more of a human element.
In effect, the issues of their dilemma - being different
and not being able to fit in - speak many different levels.
They may be using the words "mutant" and "human"
quite generally here, but they're really flying the flag for
anyone a little different to the norm.
The sequel again continues with this realistic theme, even
more so, with the villains being single-minded humans, determined
not to let anyone a little different share their soil.
In addition, the characters on screen are not merely puppets
for a popcorn blockbuster, but a credible bunch of real people
- with real feelings, real issues and real spirit.
If anything pushes this and the first "X Men" above
the norm, be it this extra-real sense of character definition.
Kudos to some of the fine actors - especially Jackman and
Stewart - who give much welcomed life and flesh to characters
like Wolverine and Xavier, who in any other superhero film
might be little more than set dressing for a laser machine.
But if it's action, adventure and great special effects you're
truly after, you won't be dissapointed. The action in this
is much greater (sure the film takes a bit to get going, but
once it does, the action is laid on thick and fast), and the
effects absolutely mindblowing. The finale, set on a busting
dam, will have you in awe...
Sequels are known to be pale shades compared to the original
films that spawned them, but in this case, X-Men 2
is not only as good a film as the first, it's possibly a much
better one.
There's more substance, more character development, several
more outlanish action sequences and more duration to cover
ground. If only all follow-ups could chalk up second servings
as well as this beauty has.
4 out of 5
X-Men 2
Australian release: Wednesday April 30th
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry,
Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Brian
Cox, Alan Cumming, Anna Paquin, Kelly Hu, Aaron Stanford,
Shawn Ashmore, Bruce Davison.
Director: Bryan Singer.
Website: Click
here
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