Director: Bryan Singer

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen

Primary genre: Superhero

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After a three year hiatus, Bryan Singer returned in top form and a keen eye on expanding the mutant world scope with his sequel. Starting roughly where first film left us, “X-Men 2” is one of these rare occasions that sees the second franchise entry surpassing its predecessor in every aspect: improved effects and action, better conveyed performances, a larger stakes story and a more dynamic direction brushed by technical finesse.

“X-Men” (2000) indeed felt like a prelude to something greater. Singer seemed obviously uncertain about his stripped approach towards the (small and few) action sequences focusing instead on character moments to gain the audience’s attraction. Here though you can honestly expect cinematic greatness. Opening with a bang, Newton Thomas Sigel’s lens follows Nightcrawler’s frantic attack on the White House in a marvelous display of stuntwork, special effects and physical choregraphy under John Ottman’s thunderous rendition of Mozart’s “Requiem”, the most memorable scene of the year 2003. The mutant skirmishes this time around are visceral and thrilling making great use of the larger budget whether it is Jackman’s ripped Wolverine taking out soldiers in brutal fashion, Magneto’s escape or his own savage showdown with Lady Deathstrike. It is a surprisingly violent product with some truly unique uses of mutant powers and although it might shy away from blood and guts, the powerful persuasion of movie suggestion and pitch perfect sound mixing do the work.

Yet, for all its visual and action panache, “X-Men 2” does not fall in the executive trap of expensive, hollow and emotionless sequels. Having a socially engaging story remains the core of these movies surrounded by mini character arcs that continue to emphasize psychological drama and ideological conflict when things do not explode, melt or freeze. Frenemies Magneto and Xavier form a temporarily alliance to thwart a greater evil in the shape of Colonel Stryker, a catalyst for sworn enemies to work together if they want to survive while ideas are exchanged in the process between those who share a different point of view. Singer is wise enough to give each mutant their own moment to shine, either as an action scene or a brief discussion to add sharp characterization (“So does faith”) and thoughtful moral messages that remain highly relevant 20 years later.

Ultimately, just like its predecessor, the film lives or dies with its cast but you will read no complaints in this segment. McKellen and Stewart continue to relish their oppositional roles with theatrical gravitas, Jackman explores extra layers of his short-tempered Wolverine and even Mystique gets more screentime that pushes her antagonist towards the realm of the anti-hero. However, the standouts are the newcomers: Nightcrawler played with innocence and religious conviction from an unrecognizable under the heavy prosthetics Alan Cumming is a pleasure to watch and a fun guy to be around while Brian Cox as the absolutely bastard Stryker who at the hands of a lesser actor could have become a walking parody commands the screen.

“X-Men 2” does many, many things right and most importantly entertains in its solid two hour something running time. Despite suffering from an extended finale and some minor pacing issues, the story never overstays its welcome concluding nicely its plot threads and gearing up towards the inevitable third entry. Blockbuster junkies and purists might have wished for a heavier action conflict with Stryker and his goons but then again we cannot have it all. With plenty of eye catching sequences, right amounts of drama and subtle layers of world building, time has been kind to “X-Men 2“ where Marvel’s mutants found their unique cinematic voice under a director who favors a thinking man’s film first and a pop corn spectacle later. Watch this.

+Outstanding and novel action

+Remarkable emotional core

+Socio-political themes are underlined but not ham-fisted

+Invested cast

+Newcomers steal the show

+More confident direction

+Expanded scope, improved effects

-Lackluster finale, some pacing issues