An improvement, but still lacking focus

Rating: Null/10 (10 August 2003)

Let me first of all say that I have never been a comic book fan, and the ones I have read (with the possible exception of Alan Moore's work) I usually found either mind-numbingly dull, idiotic or both, so I was probably not the intended audience for this film. In fact, the first X-Men movie remains my only introduction to these highly popular characters and boy was I confused when watching this next installment. Waaaaay too many characters and sub plots, in my opinion. As far as I could tell this movie involved nothing but a group of strange Jungian figures in silly costumes beating the stuffing out of each other. If I want to see that sort of thing I might just as well watch any of the old Steeve Reeves Hercules films.
What a shame considering the `deep underlying themes' my comic book friends claim this movie explores. But let's face it, it doesn't. Whatever underlying themes this movie had, they were mercilessly crushed by an endless barrage of special effects and Ed Woodian lines like `You are a God among insects', though admittedly well delivered by the great Ian McKellen, this film's saving grace.
While it might alienate the die hard fans, Singer seriously needs to eliminate characters and sub-plots to narrow the focus of this franchise.