So good, people forgot about the Matrix trailer

Rating: Null/10 (2 May 2003)

One would think that when a trailer for a movie gets a minute-long ovation, the following movie is doomed to unmet expectation. However, in the case of X2, people forgot the impending Matrix sequel and found themselves engrossed in probably the best comic superhero movie ever made (yes that includes all the Batmans, Supermans, Spider-man, Punisher, etc.).
What made this movie so special was not the special effects nor the high popularity of the X-men in print. Rather it was the fact that the writing and consequently the acting in this movie far exceeded the first movie and most other action-genre films. How this franchise landed both Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan, I shall never know but I thank my lucky stars everyday that Singer got these two amazing actors, for it is Magneto and Professor X that all the other mutants get their strength (emotionally as well as physically).
Anyway, I will not give away the plot as I sometimes do in my reviews, because I realize how disappointing it is to know the end without being surprised or figuring it out on your own. What surprised me most about this movie is how so many competing love storylines were going on and how well they were written. In action movies, and all movies for that matter, love triangles become incredibly cliched and unoriginal. However, this movie manages to pull off all the jealousies and lusts even before relying upon shape-shifting and illusion.
Also may I say that I am glad that Jean Grey and Storm did something in this movie. Cyclops still didn't, but he'll be gone by the next movie anyway (not a spoiler, just an opinion). Grey and Storm were just really hot women in leather in the first movie, while Wolverine and Rogue commanded the entire story. This movie had about three times as many characters and still managed to have many more deep, complex, inter-woven story paths to follow.
Now on to the special effects. The opening Nightcrawler sequence is one of the most thrilling action sequences in recent years, again probably due to the lifting of the bar by, you guessed it--The Matrix. Nightcrawler's unique abilty of transporting, is visually and audibly (his popping in and out of thin air sounded really cool)incredible.
My favorite improvement in this movement though has got to be the character of Mystique. In the first movie she was one of the goons- a hot, shape-shifting goon- but completely lineless and characterless.In this movie she had depth (and lines) as well as way more impressive fight sequences. She was probably as important if not more than Magneto in this movie- I am not kidding.
Anyway this is going on long enough so I will leave you with this: If you like the X-men, or action movies, or Sci-fi/fantasy you will probably love this. If not you can probably at least find a reason that it was worth your $8.50.