Unimpressed

Rating: Null/10 (2 May 2003)

I had trumped-up expectations for this film, much like Spiderman last year. X2, however, is not even as good as the original in the series, and it can't begin to match Spidey.
Some have found fault with the simplistic plot, and I won't defend it here; the sheer volume of story lines sacrifices any meaningful depth, but it's neither the best nor the worst. The real problem with the film is that it largely wastes the vast abilities of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in favor of far too much screen time for Halle Berry. There is no disputing Ms. Berry's acting chops (at least not since Monster's Ball), but not even she can make Storm, her character, remotely interesting. Storm's presence is merely an excuse to show off Ms. Berry's other considerable talents, or to introduce yet another special effect (some are more special than others).
Hugh Jackman and Famke Janssen deliver solid performances as Wolverine and Jean Grey, respectively, and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos is surprisingly good reprising the role of Mystique. McKellen is wonderful in the few scenes he has, but the best acting job may have been turned in by Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. Cumming brings pathos, humor, and depth to his character that is sorely lacking elsewhere in the film. Michael Reid MacKay also deserves a mention as one of the bad guys, a former protege of Professor Xavier. MacKay never speaks, yet he communicates volumes with his intensity of expression.
The film's misuse of Stewart, however, is a crime for which the writers and director should be sent to a plastic prison. Imagine Jean-Luc Picard being captured by the Borg and re-assimilated in the first reel of the next Star Trek picture, and then never doing anything of substance (like appearing onscreen, for instance) most of the rest of the movie, only to show up in sick bay at the end, in control of his senses but with a slight migraine. Granted, Stewart has a stronger supporting cast here than in the Trek films, but this would have been a far superior presentation had 15 minutes of Ms. Berry's screen time been shifted to him.
I rate the film 6/10, or 3 stars out of 4. I expected much more, however.