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X2
- Thread starter MKCustodial
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MickeyMoose15
Account Suspended
The Moose Hole - Review of X2: X-Men United
Released May 2nd, 2003
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anne Paquin, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davidson, Alan , Kelly Hu, Aaron Stanford, Katie Stuart, Shawn Ashmore, Brian , Peter Wingfield, Alfred E. Humphries, Jill Teed, James Kirk, Ty Olsson, Kea Wong, Shauna Kain
Premise: Mutants continue their struggle against a society that fears and distrusts them. Their cause becomes even more desperate following an incredible attack by an as yet undetermined assailant possessing extraordinary abilities. The shocking attack renews the political and public outcry for a Mutant Registration Act and an anti-mutant movement now led by William Stryker, a wealthy former Army commander who is rumored to have experimented on mutants. Stryker's mutant "work" is somehow tied to Logan's mysterious and forgotten past. As Wolverine searches for clues to his origin, Stryker puts into motion his anti-mutant program - launching an attack on Xavier's mansion. Magneto, newly escaped from his plastic prison, proposes a partnership with the X-Men to combat their common and formidable enemy: Stryker. With the fates of Xavier, mankind - and mutant kind - in their hands, the X-Men face their most dangerous mission ever.
The beginning of the summer season always seems to open with a bang. In years past, the first major blockbuster film of the summer didn't open until Memorial Day weekend but times have changed. The first weekend of May has become the starting point now and Spider-Man solidified that with its $114.5 million opening weekend last year. This year presents another comic-book adaptation, X2: X-Men United, a sequel to the 2000 hit, X-Men. Comic book adaptations seem to be the huge rage now with past films like Spider-Man, X-Men, and Daredevil being such box office successes. But X2 is presented with a slight problem. X-Men did have a big opening weekend but started to really slow down after that with some movie-goers being disappointed. Obviously the marketing of the film will prevent X2 from being a failure at the box office but will the sequel disappoint fans like its predecessor or will an evolution occur in the movie-going experience?
The story picks up where the last film left off with Magneto in jail and Professor Xavier and his X-Men fighting to protect both human and mutant kind. This time around, though, the war between mutants and the rest of humanity seems growing closer as moves made by certain people have created conflicts that will become bigger as time goes on. Due to recent events including the attempted assassination of the president by a mutant, William Stryker has sent a crew to invade Professor Xavier's School for the Gifted. But he isn't after the children. He has bigger plans involving all mutants on the planet. Now the X-Men must join up with Magneto and his group to fight for a more peaceful world. The story for X2: X-Men United was very well done but there are many elements that the normal movie-goer would not understand but a big fan of the comic-book series would. But those elements are to be expected with most comic-book adaptations like X2. This was also a problem with Daredevil, which was released in February.
The cast was fabulous once again and much of the returning cast seems to be more comfortable with their rules then they were in the first film. Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. Plain and simple. Jackman proves that the role was meant for him and does it magnificently. Patrick Stewart is great once again as Professor Charles Xavier, the head of the School for the Gifted. He isn't included in as many scenes as last time but still plays an essential part in the film. Ian McKellen sends chills up backs as Magneto. He plays him so well that you would actually believe he is that character much like he did with the role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series. Out of the new members of the cast, Alan Cummings is the shining light playing the role of Nightcrawler. Cummings presents much emotion to a character that you would expect to be placed in a film for special effect purposes rather then character development.
Overall, X2: X-Men United is a huge leap from the somewhat disappointing original. Close to perfection, there are some things to pick at. There were some members of the cast that seemed to be pointlessly placed in the film. Among those would be Kelly Hu as Lady Deathstrike. Her character was almost pointless outside of the fight at the end with Logan. The role of Cyclops seemed to be pointless as well in this film as he was not scene almost at all except at the very beginning and at the end. There were a lot of action sequences but maybe a little too much. Eliminating one or two of the sequences would have been fine. They weren't bad, there just seemed to be too much thrown at the audience in two hours. And the ending, though magnificently done, will confuse many movie-goers not familiar with the comic-book or cartoon series. But maybe a better explanation will be shown in X-Men 3. The summer begins with a bang and if others films turn out like X2, we are in for one Hell of a summer.
My Rating: ****1/2 out of 5
Released May 2nd, 2003
Director: Bryan Singer
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Anne Paquin, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davidson, Alan , Kelly Hu, Aaron Stanford, Katie Stuart, Shawn Ashmore, Brian , Peter Wingfield, Alfred E. Humphries, Jill Teed, James Kirk, Ty Olsson, Kea Wong, Shauna Kain
Premise: Mutants continue their struggle against a society that fears and distrusts them. Their cause becomes even more desperate following an incredible attack by an as yet undetermined assailant possessing extraordinary abilities. The shocking attack renews the political and public outcry for a Mutant Registration Act and an anti-mutant movement now led by William Stryker, a wealthy former Army commander who is rumored to have experimented on mutants. Stryker's mutant "work" is somehow tied to Logan's mysterious and forgotten past. As Wolverine searches for clues to his origin, Stryker puts into motion his anti-mutant program - launching an attack on Xavier's mansion. Magneto, newly escaped from his plastic prison, proposes a partnership with the X-Men to combat their common and formidable enemy: Stryker. With the fates of Xavier, mankind - and mutant kind - in their hands, the X-Men face their most dangerous mission ever.
The beginning of the summer season always seems to open with a bang. In years past, the first major blockbuster film of the summer didn't open until Memorial Day weekend but times have changed. The first weekend of May has become the starting point now and Spider-Man solidified that with its $114.5 million opening weekend last year. This year presents another comic-book adaptation, X2: X-Men United, a sequel to the 2000 hit, X-Men. Comic book adaptations seem to be the huge rage now with past films like Spider-Man, X-Men, and Daredevil being such box office successes. But X2 is presented with a slight problem. X-Men did have a big opening weekend but started to really slow down after that with some movie-goers being disappointed. Obviously the marketing of the film will prevent X2 from being a failure at the box office but will the sequel disappoint fans like its predecessor or will an evolution occur in the movie-going experience?
The story picks up where the last film left off with Magneto in jail and Professor Xavier and his X-Men fighting to protect both human and mutant kind. This time around, though, the war between mutants and the rest of humanity seems growing closer as moves made by certain people have created conflicts that will become bigger as time goes on. Due to recent events including the attempted assassination of the president by a mutant, William Stryker has sent a crew to invade Professor Xavier's School for the Gifted. But he isn't after the children. He has bigger plans involving all mutants on the planet. Now the X-Men must join up with Magneto and his group to fight for a more peaceful world. The story for X2: X-Men United was very well done but there are many elements that the normal movie-goer would not understand but a big fan of the comic-book series would. But those elements are to be expected with most comic-book adaptations like X2. This was also a problem with Daredevil, which was released in February.
The cast was fabulous once again and much of the returning cast seems to be more comfortable with their rules then they were in the first film. Hugh Jackman is Wolverine. Plain and simple. Jackman proves that the role was meant for him and does it magnificently. Patrick Stewart is great once again as Professor Charles Xavier, the head of the School for the Gifted. He isn't included in as many scenes as last time but still plays an essential part in the film. Ian McKellen sends chills up backs as Magneto. He plays him so well that you would actually believe he is that character much like he did with the role of Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings series. Out of the new members of the cast, Alan Cummings is the shining light playing the role of Nightcrawler. Cummings presents much emotion to a character that you would expect to be placed in a film for special effect purposes rather then character development.
Overall, X2: X-Men United is a huge leap from the somewhat disappointing original. Close to perfection, there are some things to pick at. There were some members of the cast that seemed to be pointlessly placed in the film. Among those would be Kelly Hu as Lady Deathstrike. Her character was almost pointless outside of the fight at the end with Logan. The role of Cyclops seemed to be pointless as well in this film as he was not scene almost at all except at the very beginning and at the end. There were a lot of action sequences but maybe a little too much. Eliminating one or two of the sequences would have been fine. They weren't bad, there just seemed to be too much thrown at the audience in two hours. And the ending, though magnificently done, will confuse many movie-goers not familiar with the comic-book or cartoon series. But maybe a better explanation will be shown in X-Men 3. The summer begins with a bang and if others films turn out like X2, we are in for one Hell of a summer.
My Rating: ****1/2 out of 5
darthdarrel
New Member
OMG! I loved the movie! That is so sad about Jean though!
It was a great movie. I saw it last night. Great plot but they should add Juggernaut and Beast soon. They are awesome. I love at the end, in the water Jean was turning into the Phoenix. If you saw the show, you know what I'm talking about. The orange bird like image in the water at the end. There will be another movie. Can't wait. Oh ya, I think in either X3 or X4 they should have the plague which was a great part in the show also.
You know, Wizard, that's the kind of information we who've seen the movie have been holding out for the sake of those who haven't...
WDWspider
New Member
MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Too bad, cause the cat's out now. I was absolutely loving ever moment of X2. It way surpassed the first one. Wolverine Rocked in this one, as a matter of fact everyone was much better in this one... although Magneto seemed a little too relaxed about working with the X-men for a common goal, but oh well. Yes, the fire was burning in Jean's eyes throughout the movie, the foreshadowing was incredible. those who know are antsy for a third film, those who don't know will be like OHHHHHH when the third film comes.
As a matter of fact, that is what is so great about these movies. those who know X-men enjoy it much (especially this time around, and those who don't know it find an equally engaging story. I loved it when Colossus was on screnn and some of the people in the sold out theare said "Wow, look at the Metal Man!" I realized how well they have pulled this story off to reach a huge audience. Just the range of ages in the place surprised me, and during the entire film their was silence, people were so caught up in what's going to happen next... it was great. I love that Weapon X is being carried out through each movie a little at a time. I still think Sentinnels are very likely for a fourth film. It seems to be leading up to an all out Mutant vs. Human War, and I believe after all humans nearly died this time and the Dark Pheonix about to emerge, that most people will wait to stop the mutants at all costs. Plus with the audience turnouts, I think Sequel budgets will be less and less restrictive.
BTW... Nightcrawler Rocks! To actually hear "BAMF" as an effect was totally cool!
Too bad, cause the cat's out now. I was absolutely loving ever moment of X2. It way surpassed the first one. Wolverine Rocked in this one, as a matter of fact everyone was much better in this one... although Magneto seemed a little too relaxed about working with the X-men for a common goal, but oh well. Yes, the fire was burning in Jean's eyes throughout the movie, the foreshadowing was incredible. those who know are antsy for a third film, those who don't know will be like OHHHHHH when the third film comes.
As a matter of fact, that is what is so great about these movies. those who know X-men enjoy it much (especially this time around, and those who don't know it find an equally engaging story. I loved it when Colossus was on screnn and some of the people in the sold out theare said "Wow, look at the Metal Man!" I realized how well they have pulled this story off to reach a huge audience. Just the range of ages in the place surprised me, and during the entire film their was silence, people were so caught up in what's going to happen next... it was great. I love that Weapon X is being carried out through each movie a little at a time. I still think Sentinnels are very likely for a fourth film. It seems to be leading up to an all out Mutant vs. Human War, and I believe after all humans nearly died this time and the Dark Pheonix about to emerge, that most people will wait to stop the mutants at all costs. Plus with the audience turnouts, I think Sequel budgets will be less and less restrictive.
BTW... Nightcrawler Rocks! To actually hear "BAMF" as an effect was totally cool!
MickeyMoose15
Account Suspended
I get to see The Matrix Reloaded on May 14th!!
darthdarrel
New Member
That`s weird!
I saw the movie and loved it,I didn`t see any Phoenix thing,I thought she was killed!
darthdarrel
New Member
Re: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
I didn`t know his name was colossus! LOL! I just thought he looked out of place LOL! Kewl effects though sort of T2ish
imagineer boy
Well-Known Member
WOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I just saw X2, and it rocked!!!!!!!! WOW! Awesome! Can't wait for X3!
DisneyJedi
Member
HOLY COW! I picked this with my wife as our 2nd wedding anniversary movie to go see (we don't go to the theater very often at all). WOW! Superb effects, awesome storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Can we discuss it now?
Read down for spoilerish comment..
Ok.. Why did Nightcrawler stay in the chamber with Storm? She's like "it's about to get real cold inhere, can you handle it?". The dude could have easily teleported out of the chamber the same way he blindedly transported in. Guess he wanted to make sure Storm didn't get hurt and to get the good guys out when the mind control was severed.
Read down for spoilerish comment..
Ok.. Why did Nightcrawler stay in the chamber with Storm? She's like "it's about to get real cold inhere, can you handle it?". The dude could have easily teleported out of the chamber the same way he blindedly transported in. Guess he wanted to make sure Storm didn't get hurt and to get the good guys out when the mind control was severed.
darthdarrel
New Member
Exactamundo!
imagineer boy
Well-Known Member
I have a question:
WARNING: SPOILERS
What was with the circles in the back of Magneto and Nightcrawler's necks? Why did that guy inject somthing in to Magneto's?
WARNING: SPOILERS
What was with the circles in the back of Magneto and Nightcrawler's necks? Why did that guy inject somthing in to Magneto's?
WDWspider
New Member
Originally posted by darthdarrel
That`s weird!
I saw the movie and loved it,I didn`t see any Phoenix thing,I thought she was killed!
That's the best part, if you didn't know what you were looking for or that there should even be anything to look for, it was fairly easy to think it was nothing or a sun reflection. But remember, she was talking about how every few milenia, that evolution starts all over again, or something to that effect. Well... Jean Grey is so about to fill those shoes. It WILL be interesting.
:sohappy: :sohappy: :sohappy:
Oh, and Roddy... I think Professor X just hasn't had a good opportunity to show off his powers (even Ice-man hasn't completely). But the ability to stop all humans around is a pretty awesome power in my book. The scene with the president at the end with all of them sitting in the darkened office was pretty cool.
DisneyJedi
Member
That was venon from Stryker's mutant son used to tranquilize the mind powers or control the mutants.
It sure was a great scene. My peeve with Xavier is this. The guy is most powerful mind on the planet, and yet he was (somewhat) easily controlled by Jason. Not that Mastermind isn't a skillfull illusionist, but still... And personally, I wasn't comfortable with the "if you concentrate hard enough, you can kill someone" storyline. The development of it was definately cool, especially how Magneto turned the table on the X-Men. But the actual "danger"? I couldn't buy it.
And now that we're discussing it... Could someone PLEASE assure me that Halle Berry won't EVER come back? I want to kill her so badly. Just because she got a damn Oscar the film's production allowed her to get a new wig (ok), new lenses (crap, the old look was WAY better, totally white), more lines that made even less sense, and she lost the freaking accent! :fork: And what the heck was her interaction with Kurt?? She looked like she wanted to get a room with him!!
Little notes:
- WOW, that mansion sure has crappy security! :lol:
- Sorry, still don't like Mystique. I'd rather she had guns. The "real" one can fight but not like that, and surely can't kick Logan's butt like in the first one. And she can slide like a snake? Naked?
- If Colossus doesn't get an uniform on X3, it'll just show Xavier doesn't know how to build a good team. Rogue gets an uniform and Peter gets to babysit and have classes? :brick:
WDWspider
New Member
Originally posted by MKCustodial
- WOW, that mansion sure has crappy security! :lol:
- Sorry, still don't like Mystique. I'd rather she had guns. The "real" one can fight but not like that, and surely can't kick Logan's butt like in the first one. And she can slide like a snake? Naked?
- If Colossus doesn't get an uniform on X3, it'll just show Xavier doesn't know how to build a good team. Rogue gets an uniform and Peter gets to babysit and have classes? :brick:
I will justify he mansion security by saying that Striker has all info on the mansion, therefore he bypasses security.
I like Mystique. Your points are valid, but she is a great character for spy work, so they needed to increase her abilities some I guess. The snake sliding was dumb and cool all at once. Sometimes you must let go for a quick gag.
I suspect Colossus is on the team, but not anounced as such. The time period we seee him Wolverine asks him to help the kids rather than him. Suggesting that Wolverine knows who he is and what his powers are. Since Professior X was not there to assemble a full X-men team, we really don't know who all is on the team I think.