Brilliant. Best comic-book movie ever...

Rating: 9/10 (1 May 2003)

OK. here we go it's been a long time coming but I saw this movie and you know what? It doesn't disappoint. If you are an X-Men fan, then let me tell you, you have no business not RUNNING to go see this film. If you just like action movie, ditto. If you don't like the X-Men, comic-book movies, action films and haven't seen the first one, then you are probably one of the people that have given it bad reviews. While overall it has gotten very good reviews I've heard lots of complaining about this movie. I've heard that it's too complicated and stuff like that and you know what? That's just crap being spilled out by reviewers who haven't seen the first one/ didn't understand it and refuse to try to or admit so. I heard one particularly idiotic reviewer say it was stupid that this film again addressed the issue of mutants not being accepted by society. That's like saying the Spider Man sequel shouldn't be about a guy who climbs walls and spins webs. I think it unfair that comic book movies be judged by people who obviously have no idea what they are talking about and keep giving invalid reasons for their dislike of the film. Take it from me: The only reviews of this film you want to read are by comic-book fans. OK now for my review:

To put this simply this is a film that aims to please the X-Fan first and foremost. You don't have to be a diehard fan. You just have to have a little knowledge of what the X-Men are all about.
First of all, one of my few qualms with the first film was that it was pretty low on SFX. Not so with this film. I tell you I have never seen so much cheering and applause over Special Effects in a movie since I saw the Matrix in 1999. The opening scene is without a doubt one of the best sfx scenes in motion picture history. The film then goes on to have periodic bursts of amazing effects - I mean it - the characters powers are really let loose here. there are NO problems with the SFX in this film.
In terms of storyline: If you haven't seen the first film you can expect to be somewhat confused as to what's going on. you'll know who the good guys are and who the bad guys are but you probably won't understand them or their relationships. Also if you saw it a long time ago and are not familiar with what the X-Men are all about, you may want to try and watch it again. The story is really not that complicated as long as you watch the film properly and is quite interesting. It involves several thing happening at once but the average viewer should be able to keep track of things. The acting is also very good but what would you expect with a cast like that?
The characters are breathtaking. Like I've said before every fanboy will get their money's worth. All their powers are used to the max so in this paragraph I'll concentrate on how they are portrayed. Again Wolvie is the center of attention: not so much because it's written like that as because Hugh Jackman is such a charismatic actor. Jean Grey is a VERY interesting character in this movie but that's all I'll say. Special mention goes to Magneto and Nightcrawler. Fans will not be disappointed.
All in all, a great film, superior to every comic book movie to date. Definitely better than Spider Man and certainly superior to the sequel. I hope this film goes far. The downside? I've got to wait MONTHS before its release on DVD and years before X3.