Following the smash success of "X-Men" in 2000, a rebirth of films based on comic books appeared and naturally, so did a sequel.
The original "X-Men" had many downfalls and though commercially successful, the movie did not go down in cinema history. Although an entertaining film, it hardly had the drawing power that fellow comic-book adaptee "Spiderman" packed into the theaters last summer.
Brian Singer, writer/director of both X-Men movies, had a huge task ahead of him with "X2: X-Men United," in trying to determine if this trend of comic book adaptations will keep people interested enough to come back for a second helping. The answer, emphatically, is yes.
Luckily, "X2" is one of those rare exceptions that actually surpasses the first film by leaps and bounds.
"X2" is a movie reeking of confidence. With an unlimited budget and total control, Singer, director of "The Usual Suspects," has created a film so incredible that already at least three more X-Men films are in the works.
"X2" starts off describing how natural it is for humans to evolve into higher forms. In the world of X-Men, the mutants are depicted as the natural evolution of humanity. Non-mutants feel threatened by people like this and enforce segregation, treating mutants as less than human. The original "X-Men" established this premise, the second creates a world from it.
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Gen. William Stryker, played by Brian Cox, attempts to destroy all the mutants. Faced with destruction the mutants must join together to survive.
The main plot is a little weak, which seems to be common in comic book adaptations, but the subplots and inner conflicts are what make "X2" work.
In films like "Spiderman" and "Daredevil," the world inhabited by superheroes is too comical. Characters are over-exaggerated and a clear line is drawn between the good and bad guys.
In the world of the X-Men everything is taken in as reality. Mutation is a burden for not only the mutants, but also the people around them. The actions of each character are understood because they are well established in the film and everyone has their downfall.
"X2" mixes a darker mood than the first movie with amazing fight scenes, harking back to the days of the first two "Batman" films. The acting is top notch, bringing back the main characters from the last movie and adding a few new ones in the process - a trend that's going to continue in the next handful of films. Ian McKellen does a superb job as the powerful mutant Magneto. His escape scene from a plastic prison is reason enough to see the film.
Combining the best aspects of the first film with the best of the X-Men comics, "X2" creates characters far more complex than the cape-and-spandex superheroes. In fact, the whole concept of the uniform is mocked during the film.
With just as much emphasis placed on internal conflicts as physical violence, "X2" signifies the start of a very welcome growth between comic books and film.
