More proof that sequels and stinking don't have to go together.

Rating: Null/10 (17 October 2004)

Warning: This has a slight spoiler.
If the "Justice League of America" pilot had been treated with the TLC that "Spider-Man" and "X-Men" got, the pilot would have not only sold but the series that would have resulted would still be running. One good movie from the concept would have been a blessing, but for "X2" to continue the tradition is... all sequels should be this good. Not good enough to top the first one, but good enough to be an equal.
Like all good sequels, this expands on the previous movie rather than rehashes it (the basic story has good and bad mutants alike teaming up to combat a common threat, but there's obviously more to it than that); there's more emphasis on story than setting up the characters (though kudos to writers Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris and David Hayter for giving space to both), although with so many characters a few slip through the cracks - minor ones, like the girl who can walk through walls, are one thing (although I wanted to see a bit more of her), but it's a bit hard to keep track of all of them. Not that it ever degenerates into confusion, though; it often plays like a live action take on those superb WB cartoons. Yes, that's a compliment.
As well as keeping up the interesting aspects of its story while not overdoing the bigotry angle of its premise (some have called the relationship between Storm and Nightcrawler a romance, but they seem to bond more on a friendly level than a lovey-dovey one), the movie also has plenty for the more shallow viewers  the non-stop action and the special effects aside, the ladies are, I understand, best catered for with Hugh Jackman (far better here than as Van Helsing) and James Marsden, while the gentlemen get Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (whose Mystique gets more to do (and say) this time around, and even appears without the blue skin at one point) and Kelly Hu. (In one movie? YES!)
SLIGHT SPOILER TIME.
Although three of them won't be back for 'X-Men 3' - Kelly's Deathstryke and Famke's Jean Grey both die (and this not being 'Star Trek' it's unlikely they'll come back to life), and while Storm is still around Halle Berry's turned down the opportunity to play her again. (Since Berry's performance is an improvement on last time, this is to be regretted. Then again, since Storm is more of a waste of space than Jean, maybe not)
END OF SLIGHT SPOILER TIME.
The movie leaves some bits open, but doesn't feel like a cheat and certainly not like a setup for the third movie  just like part of an ongoing story. If the next round of 'Superman' and 'Batman' movies work as well as these, there WILL be a war. Just not between humans and mutants - between Marvel and DC fans.
Oh yes, and John Ottman's end credit music has one of the best endings of its type...