Astounding, Fantastic, Amazing ...

Rating: Null/10 (3 May 2003)

Hearing good things about X2, I preped myself by viewing X-MEN on DVD the night before.
There would be few better sequels I've seen. Character continuity was X-cellent (no substitutes), the plot meshed perfectly then continued on to expand and explain threads from the first movie. This intimate linking of the two movies greatly reinforces the overall story.
X2 has, of course, its own interesting tale, not as seminal perhaps (the idea of the very existence of mutants) as the original, but perfect for the middle movie of the trilogy I'm hoping for.
As with many good sequels in an action genre, the pace and scope of action is faster and broader in X2. The expansion of the original group of X-MEN to include other mutants like Iceman, Nightcrawler and Pyro with different powers makes for renewed interest, though all the original key characters (especially Wolverine and Mystique) continue to hold that central role. As always, the X-MEN's powers act synergistically making them far more powerful collectively than as individuals.
Women continue to have powerful, dominant roles though Thank God no one in either movie makes an issue regarding X-PEOPLE...
SPOILER ahead: With Jean Grey gone, who will form the emotional focus for Cyclops and Wolverine? Will Wolverine get the hots for Mystique?("She's good, she's very good"). Will it be Professor Xavier or Magneto who ultimately proves successful in reconciling mutants to the rest of humankind?
I hope I get to find out in X3.