The Hype Delivered

Rating: 10/10 (3 May 2003)

I think it really says something when a person can get into all the hype about a movie, obsess over it way before it comes out, download all the trailers, clips, browse through all the galleries... and STILL love the film when it comes out. I was so excited about this movie way before May 2 rolled around. I bought X-Men 1.5 (even though I already had the VHS) just for the X2 footage. But when the movie came out, and I sat in the darkened theater, I couldn't help but have a silly grin on my face the whole time out of sheer joy and pleasure of having seen this incredible film! The action is amazing, intense, and intelligently choreographed. I love the fact that the action is, for the most part, done in real life and not overrun with CG (as was, in my opinion, overly done in such films as Star Wars Ep 2 and even a bit in LOTR: Fellowship). Many complained of the "slower" interludes/scenes but I thought they were great. Not only did it allow for some teases, humor, and some character development, but it creates a contrast between the more intense scenes of the film- you get the impression that you are riding some kind of filmic roller coaster. About the only BAD thing about this film is the music! Oh where or where did Michael Kamen go? All in all, great film, surpasses the first by far, great acting, awesome characters, awesome action, definitely one of my favorite films of all time. Now there is just the agony of waiting for it to come out on DVD!