They don't have to do backstory...

Rating: 10/10 (2 May 2003)

... and the interactions are just so cool. The unresolved interpersonal tensions from the first movie make this one feel so much like "home." This is a well done sequel: well done in that it decides that if you didn't watch the first one, that's YOUR problem and it's not going to coddle you or waste time on you if you're too lazy to rent the DVD before seeing the second installment.
The character interactions were very satisfying. I believe Singer did a great job of capturing both the humanity and the heroism of the mutants. This, of all the recent Marvel movies, does the best job of capturing the Marvel "feel," IMHO.