Film Review: X2 (2003)

7 months ago

(source: tmdb.org)

In 2000 Bryan Singer took great risk with X-Men, making a big budget superhero film in a time when only Batman and Superman were considered the only superheroes that successful film series could be built on. The experiment succeeded and the sequel became inevitable. Singer directed X2, released in 2003, and by that time superhero films were already established as staple of summer blockbuster season in Hollywood.

The plot begins after the conflict depicted in the previous film. Mutants – people gifted with all kind of bizarre abilities – are still divided into two factions. One, led by Professor Xavier (played by Patrick Stewart), advocates peaceful coexistence with normal humans. The other, led by Magneto (played by Ian McKellen), wants to wage war of extermination instead. The conflict temporarily ended with Xavier’s victory and Magneto being detained in special prison made out of plastic. However, there is something that would make Xavier and Magneto temporarily set aside their differences. That something is Colonel William Stryker (played by Brian Cox), US military scientist specialised for government’s dirty work. After mutant named Nightcrawler (played by Alan Cummings) attacks White House, Stryker convinces President McKenna (played by Cotter Smith) to authorise raid on Xavier’s school for mutants. Stryker captures Xavier and wants to manipulate his telepathic and other abilities to conduct genocide of all mutants on Earth. Group of mutants that escaped capture sets Magneto free and seeks his help to liberate Xavier, while some of them also have to deal with personal issues.

X2 is a little bit better than a previous film. This is mostly due to Bryan Singer deciding not to bother those who had watched the first film with too much exposition and character origins, which should have allowed more focus on action and plot. Unfortunately, this plan was compromised with addition of few new characters, so X2 is half an hour longer than its predecessor. On the other hand, dark and depressive tone of the first film is even darker here and Singer doesn’t shy away from showing violence. As a result, X-Men 2 has bigger bodycount, although, in line with censorship standards of mainstream Hollywood, all this violence doesn’t feature a single drop of blood. Action scenes were well directed and special effects were very good for its time. Script also at times tries to comment on important issues like the general state of human rights in the world, especially in regards to racism and homophobia. X2 was often seen as one of Hollywood blockbusters that promoted diversity before it was as fashionable as it was today. On the other hand, Singer and his scriptwriters were careful enough not to make its critical stance towards George W. Bush and his policies too obvious, hoping not to alienate audience that considered him great leader and statesman following 9/11 and at the start of Iraq War. X-Men 2 features large set of characters and there aren’t performances that particularly stand out in big ensemble cast. Those that do are Alan Cummings as Nightcrawler and Rebecca Romijn as seductive Mystique. X-Men 2, just like its predecessor, accomplished its mission, having impressive results at box office and thus securing another sequel, which came in 2006 under title X-Men: The Last Stand.

RATING: 6/10 (++)