'X' didnt mark the spot for me... (no plot spoilers)

Rating: 7/10 (2 May 2003)

Pun intended... X-Men II lost it's 'Mystique' the second time around. From the very start of the film, you can visually see somethings different. From the camera angles to the lighting, that bigger then life image is no where to be seen. Simply, the emotional texture that once existed was somewhere lost in the fray.
Like most films these days, the opening sequence bursts onto the screen with welcomed flare and life, only then to muddle through a wondering filler script for the next 30 to 40 minutes leaving you far too long in anticipation for another burst. Each burst to come... mostly road side flares instead of 4th of July sky explosions.
The concept they were going for was understood and well intended however with a weak script coupled with too many variations left the characters sadly to become part of the machine instead of the machine itself.

Plainly, you dont feel the power of, and the connection too the characters as you did in the first one. The general idea was good yet they came up too many yards short of a touchdown though they did accomplish to squeeze a couple of first downs here and there.
Yea, if I were you and you are an X-Men fan, then go see it. However if you go in with lowered expectations, you wont feel quite as short changed. There's room for another and I hope they go for it yet...bring back the chemistry lost within the reel of the first. fc