Meh...

Rating: Null/10 (3 May 2003)

Caution*****Spoilers Present***
Well, I have to first clarify that I am in fact a massive X-Men fan. I used to own a few hundred(of varying series') old X-Men comics, and I remain a loyal follower to this day.
However, these comic-movie crosses continue to disgust me. Both films now are littered with inconsistencies and dead-end plots. argue with me and say that they're only SMALL indiscrepencies, but that is what irritates me the most....If they're such small freaking differences, WHY AREN'T THEY RIGHT!?!?!? One example from the first film is Wolverines' and Sabretooths' relationship....in that they had none. The only reason why Sabretooth has ever fought the X-Men is because of his feud with Wolverine. And the same goes for this second installment. First off, let me say that the performances in this film are all fantastic. Hugh, Ian, Patrick and Famke are great as the mutants with the most, all capturing the essence of their characters very well.
The special effects in the movie are great, every scene seemlessly flowing onscreen. The scene at the beginning with Nightcrawler fighting all of the secret service agents was incredible.
Kudos to the design team and costume designers, I really liked the costumes in this one much better, although I still wish they would make Wolverines trademark mask. The X-Mansion, Blackbird and military bases all looked superb and well though-out.
The story on the other hand was a tremendous let down, and the way most of the characters came together was insulting. Out of all of the wonderful, lush and creative storylines that have ever been written, I don't know why they would hire some people (who obviously don't know the characters well) to write a new plot. The X-Men roster itself is a twisted preschoolers vision of what it should have been. I can't stand the age difference of some of the most pivital characters and the twist put on their origins. Rogue is an example from the first film. She was originally supposed to be a part of the brotherhood of evil mutants and eventually join the X-Men with her stolen Ms. Marvels powers of flight and super-human strength. This age difference between her and the other major characters is disgusting, as is her relationship with Iceman. What ever happened to Gambit???
And the tiny cameos from other cool characters (the Beast in the newscast, Colossus and Gambits name present alongside Lensher) was too much of a tease. They hint at the potential of some great characters and they're wasting my time with Iceman and shadowcat.
It sure was nice to see Wolverines dry sense of humor though (getting Iceman to chill and warm soda) and him slashing and stabbing and maiming all sorts of people. I noticed a great deal more liberties they took in making X2 a little more violent and profane then the first one. But I sure was mad when they messed up Deathstrikes relationship with Wolverine. It must be nice to be Wolverine....he has no enemies of his own.
So, I give the production of the film a big thumbs up and hand over a rating of 5 out of 5, but take 2.5 back for the actual finished film. My dreams of a really good mutant movie have been plucked out of the sky two times out of two. And for the sake of Stan Lee, I hope the Pheonix hints all turn out for nought in the next film. The pheonix saga is far to lengthly and precise to be able to wrap up in ONE movie. Don't rewrite it to make it fit, or I will hate you forever.