‘X2’ better than the original
Numerous characters
with varying personalities
Justin Rubin, 17, of Glendale and is a junior at Glendale High
School.
“X2: X-Men United” is an immensely fun sci-fi action film, topping
the first movie in every possible way. Based on the popular comic
book by Stan Lee, “X2” is a faithful adaptation of the comic while
still managing to add originality.
What makes “X2” so interesting and exciting is the wide range of
characters. Where in most comic book movies we get a hero and a
villain, the X-Men stories have the benefit of numerous characters,
all with varying personalities, powers and styles, brought to life by
fantastic special effects, makeup and costume design.
The action scenes (and there are plenty) are vastly unique from
most action movies, mostly because they do not resort to the same
form of combat used in a previous scene. Each scene is something we
haven’t seen before, be it a new character or setting. Also
surprising is how well the film holds up as a story.
While the effects are something to marvel about, the engaging
plot, sly humor, romance and dramatic storytelling (as well as a
moral message) help the movie rise above the usual action flick.
“X2,” kicking off the start of the summer movie season, is a real
treat.
Plenty of action in this sequel
Stephen Saito is a graduate of Burbank High School and a junior at
the University of Texas at Austin.
If there’s one thing that’s disappointing about “X2: X-Men
United,” the criminally fun sequel to 1999’s “X-Men,” it’s the fact
that the film ultimately has to end.
As the rare sequel that improves upon the original, which wasn’t
too shabby itself, “X2” reunites Wolverine with Professor X and the
rest of the X-Men to battle William Stryker, a mad scientist bent on
ridding the Earth of mutants.
Director Bryan Singer seems equally compelled to rid “X2” of the
problems from the first film and as a result, the abrupt ending and
lack of action sequences that plagued the original “X-Men” are more
than substantiated for in this version.
Also unlike the first film, where Hugh Jackman stole every scene
as the world weary Wolverine, the performances are uniformly
excellent, from Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen as enemies Professor
X and Magneto respectively, to Famke Janssen as Jean Grey and Alan
Cumming as Nightcrawler.
The first of a wave of comic book films to hit movie theaters this
summer, “X2” is the equivalent of a tsunami, and after the end
credits roll, the only thought is to get back in line to ride it
again.
“X2: X-Men United,” is rated PG-13 for sci-fi action violence,
some sexuality and brief language.
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