X2: X-Men 2

X2: X-MEN 2
TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX
RELEASED 2 May 2003

The mutants are back for more. After the original X-Men set up the world they inhabit (some criticised for more exposition than plot), this time around the characters are established so we get to see more of them doing their thing. After a fantastic opening scene involving an mutant attack on the US President, mysterious General Stryker (Brian Cox) is given the go-ahead to launch a covert attack on Charles Xavier’s (Patrick Stewart) School for the Gifted. In other words, mutant-central. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), still looking for answers to his forgotten past, is thrust into the role of protector after the assault and alongside team members such as Storm (Halle Berry) and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), and also former enemies but now-reluctant allies Magneto (Ian McKellan) and Mystique (Rebecca Romin-Stamos), they must use all their wonderful abilites to survive.

It’s very rare for a sequel to outdo it’s predecessor but X2 does it on every level. Better effects, more humour, bigger drama, and some brutal fight scenes (involving Wolverine of course!) Things are enigmatically set-up for X3.

FOUR OUT OF FIVE