Superior To The Original

Rating: 9/10 (28 January 2005)

"X2"(Or "X Men 2")is one of those rarities in which the sequel surpasses the original. After an attempt on the President's life by a mutant, a war between humans and mutants is on the verge. Stoking the flames of hatred is General Stryker, who uses the situation to forge ahead with his own agenda: the total annihilation of the mutant species. This film is much darker than the first film (Jean Grey's increasing powers, Cerebro being used for a weapon of mass destruction against the humans AND mutants). Ian McKellan almost steals the film (Favorite line? Before he disposes of a guard in his plastic prison,with the help of Mystique, he says "Mr. Laurio, never trust a beautiful woman, especially one that is interested in you."). However, it is Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler and Kelly Hu as Deathstrike that pretty much take the film.