The Marvel Cinematic Train keeps rolling along...

Rating: Null/10 (5 May 2003)

X2: X-Men United is Bryan Singer's franchise's The Empire Strikes Back. It actually and successfully builds upon and surpasses its 2000 predecessor, and that is a feat in of itself.
X2 picks up right where the previous X-Men film leaves off, and never stops for a second. It contains all of the elements of a hard sci-fi film, action-adventure, and poignant drama, and somehow, pulls it all off.
Hugh Jackman returns as the stalwart Logan, AKA Wolverine, still on the search for his past. This collides with the appearance of Nazi-esque military scientist Colonel William Stryker, portrayed delectably by Brian Cox, who wants to infiltrate the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters, and rend mutantkind asunder. All of our previous players have returned, yet in beefed up, fleshed-out roles. And somehow, Singer and Co. have been enable to inject further characters, such as Aaron Stamford's manic and morose Pyro and Shawn Ashmore's earnest Iceman. The true stand-out is Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner, alias Nightcrawler, a young man who is committed to his Christian faith but is cursed to live life looking like a blue demon. Kurt's pain, but upbeat attitude towards forgiveness, makes him an incredibly realistic character. Cumming's scenes with Halle Berry's redeemed Storm are terrific and heartfelt.
And let us not forget our villains. Along with the aforementioned Col. Stryker, Sir Ian McKellen's Magneto returns, as does Rebecca Stamos' Mystique. McKellen chews up the scenery and naturally, delivers some of the best lines in the film, but Stamos' Mystique's part is extended and magnified, giving us a better picture at this deadly, although conflicited, femme fatale.
It was a shear pleasure to see the introduction of one of my favorite X-Men, the long lamented Colossus, played here with enormous physicality by newcomer Daniel Cudmore. Colossus is not seen much, but when he is, the audience is transfixed by his awesome metallic form. Here's hoping we hear and see more from the armored X-Man-in-training in the future.
Patrick Stewart wears the Professor X role much like his immaculate suits: perfectly. The role was his to take and he it has enveloped him nearly as well as his previous Capt. Picard role from Star Trek: The Next Generation and its subsequent feature films. Professor X comes off as the loving instructor and mentor, but his mind-manipulation ability appears frightening in the context of X2. We truly learn that Charles Xaxier is the Earth's most powerful mutant...and perhaps, man.
Hugh Jackman and Famke Janssen shine, as always, as Wolverine and Jean Grey. Jackman owns the role of Logan, and we even get well-received glimpses of Wolverine's "berzerker" behavior. Janssen, and this is SPOILER MATERIAL, is the biggest surprise of X2. Her revelation of the emerging ability to manipulate the star-wide Phoenix Force, is a great surprise for the long-time comic book fans. However, her self-sacrifice and apparent "death" were huge shocks. Yet, as the film ends, we glimpse through Professor Xavier's mind's eye, and see that Jean will return, but most likely, will never be the same.
James Marsden's Cyclops is a delight, as always, but unfortunately, and this is my only gripe, is in the film very little. However, his short scenes are so densely packed with drama and emotion, fans of Scott Summers will be forgiving. And besides, if there is an X-Men 3, and God willing, there will be, with Jean Grey's likely return, Cyclops must take a central role in a possible "Phoneix/Dark Phoneix" storyline.
You cannot see X2 once. There is too much on screen to be viewed, and potentially missed. For comics fans, there are plenty of Easter Eggs and little hidden secrets, and unless you're a mutant, you cannot catch them all. So, see it again if you can, and take along a loved one. X2 is one film you must not miss.
Marvel Comics' cinematic triumphs continue to build and amaze. If Warner Bros. had learned long ago that in order to make successful, well-received films featuring their trademark D.C. Comics superhero characters you must employ the best talent who treat the characters honestly and with reverence, we might not have had a glut of terrible Superman and Batman movies. And while the Marvel train chugs along, Warner Bros. mires itself in self-doubt and second-guessing, leaving the fans out there with the question of whether we'll ever see another GOOD Superman or Batman film ever again.
Highest recommendation!