X2: X-Men United

Like one might expect, X2 has the look and feel of something that’s come right from the Marvel Comics archives. Big stunts, human oddities and lots of latex costumes are everywhere. The action is near non-stop and when it does there is so nice character development on some fronts.

Director Bryan Singer returns and doesn’t bog an already lengthy film down by reintroducing everyone and their special mutant capabilities. While this is nice for veterans of the first movie and the comic, it does isolate those who might be new to the franchise.

Wolverine has long since been the cornerstone of the X-franchise. A badass if there ever was one, the then little known Hugh Jackman was one of many highlights of the first film. This time around, with more than a dozen characters is left to battle for screen time. Despite this, writers Zak Penn, Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris put a clear focus on their money-man Wolverine. And although this allowed Jackman to really develop his character, I didn’t see as much of Wolverine’s rebel loner side as I wanted to. This time around he’s too much of a team player and he’s never put to a real test that might involve a graying of the lines between good and bad. Ole’ Wolvie can leave this sequel with a clear conscience and no Dr. Xavier (Partick Stewart) breathing down his neck.

For some reason there’s a pocket of Hollywood that still believes a little romance will bring in yet another demographic. I guess a guaranteed blockbuster isn’t enough. They’ve got to go out and add a little lovin’ to bring in another couple thousand dollars. The subplot romance between Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) gives both of the young mutants an excuse to tag along but little else. But it wasn’t this romance that bugged me so much. Nope, it’s the triangle between Wolverine, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and Cyclops (James Marsden). It’s hinted at more in the first one, but Wolverine was too much of a loose cannon for it to really matter. This time Cyclops isn’t around much (a very good thing in my book) so now all of a sudden Jean and Wolvie try and start something again. Puh-lease. Romance is supposed to be something natural not forced like it is here.

With the success of X2 it is only a matter of time when official word of X3 is announced. If it is anything like the first sequel, there will be plenty more mutants introduced. There is the risk that the franchise will become bogged down by too many characters coming and going. So far Singer has done a good job sorting everyone while keeping their characters strong. I do have some hesitations as to whether or not this will continue in the future. There is a wealth of source material to draw from, but not everyone who goes is going to have a complete run of every X-comic under their bed. It’s not a lack of faith that I have in Singer but more of a compliment. He’s done a great job with the characters so far. But with such lofty success already, he’s set the bar high. To maintain such standards will be tough with all the little subplots and foreshadowing he’s put forth that will eventually have to be sorted out.

X2 is solid, especially when you put it alongside the original and others like it. At the same time, it is completely disposable. There are some interesting themes dealing with racism and the like, but they’re put on the back burner more than in the first one. This time around it’s pretty much Wolverine looks after mutants while simultaneously diving into his mysterious past and trying to score with Jean Grey. Spectacle? Absolutely. Great? Better than good.