Breathtaking Sequel to a Brilliant Story!!!

Rating: Null/10 (2 May 2003)

The first X-Men movie, back in 2000, was an unqualified success. Bryan Singer truly captured the spirit and meaning of the X-Men and their story and setting. The movie was as faithful to the comics as they could be. The movie even brought back good memories of the 1990's animated series. If it weren't for X-Men, we wouldn't have neither Spider Man nor Daredevil nowadays.
However, I won't deny that the first movie, just like the early comics played the story from a safe angle. The first movie was reasonably straightforward, with a decent ending, leaving the possibility for a sequel, although it was woefully short on time.
As of May 1st, I was unprepared for what was coming. And once again, this movie reminded me of every time a sequel blew me away completely. In the great tradition of Aliens, Toy Story 2, Star Wars: Attack of the Clones, The Empire Strikes Back and the Godfather 2, X2 surpassed every expectation I could ever have! I think the theory that a sequel can never be as good as the original is pretty much ripped to pieces.
Director and Executive Producer Bryan Singer really took some big chances this time around. The story took an ambitious turn by adding layers and layers of complexity, which all come together revolving around this incredible villain, Dr. William Stryker. As in many comic editions and episodes of the animated series, I was cheering for the mutants.
Every actor pulled brilliant performances. Special praises to both Hugh Jackman and Famke Jamssen.
The Visual Effects were simply astonishing, ranking alongside Spider Man, Star Wars Episode II and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The Tornado Sequence was beyond anything I've ever seen before.
And, to compensate for the first movie's lack of time, this one lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes. Not bad for a sequel!!! If I were Bryan Singer I would have extended it even further. I hope X3 has a duration of three full hours. I hope the DVD brings many and many deleted scenes.
There is so much more I could say, but it would last forever. I was wildly impressed with the movie's ending, leaving every thread unfinished. X3 is inevitable. I also have an idea what ground may be explored in a future adventure. Did anyone else notice the shadow of the Phoenix beneath the water?
I have to praise Stan Lee, Avi Arad, Jack Kirby, Chris Claremont, Ralph Winter, Lauren Shuller Donner, David Hayter, Tom DeSanto, Bryan Singer as well as the entire cast and crew of X2!! Brilliant effort!! Worth every minute!!!