X2 (2003)

X2. This is a rare example of a sequel that is a better film than the original. It is even rarer considering the fact that the first film wasn’t actually terrible. This film follows the X-Men’s further attempts at bringing equality to a fictional world of mutants and humans but the plot manages to be far more interesting than that of X-Men. The opening sequence is exciting and appropriately intriguing. Hugh Jackman is of course excellent as Logan, and Famke Janssen (Jean Grey) and Michael Reid McKay (Jason Stryker) were the other strong points in terms of acting, along with Anna Paquin (Marie) and Shawn Ashmore (Bobby Drake). Unfortunately Aaron Stanford (John Allerdyce) did the opposite of impressing, and his conversion to ‘the dark side’ seemed very bizarre and contrived. The scripting was also unfortunately poor and the film did of course have flaws, such as the sudden new level reached in the flirting between Jean and Logan without any reason or gradual increase, and the bizarre fact that Rogue – who harms anyone she touches – sleeps in a nightie, despite being at her most vulnerable. Nonetheless, Newton Thomas Sigel and Bryan Singer did a very good job in terms of photography and direction, particularly in the school heist scene. The plot was decent (far more complicated than its predecessor) and brought a good amount of intrigue, though did seem slightly rushed towards the beginning and dragged out nearer the end, and perhaps would have been better off later in the series when the characters were better established. All the same, this is a good film for its time and suits the series well.