 Tagline: The ones we fear most, will be all that can save us... again. The X-Men are back, and this time it's war! Packed with explosive special features including deleted scenes, stunt rehearsals and behind the scenes footage, this 2-disc edition is an in-depth, powerful look at the evolution of "the greatest superhero movie ever!" (Entertainment Weekly)! When a shocking attack by an unknown assailant possessing extraordinary abilities points to the work of a mutant, the political and public outcry for a Mutant Registration Act is renewed. Leading the anti-mutant movement is William Stryker, a wealthy former Army commander and scientist who is rumored to have experimented on mutants. Stryker's mutant "work" is somehow tied to Wolverine's mysterious and forgotten past. As Wolverine searches for clues to his origin, Stryker puts into motion his anti-mutant program beginning with a full-scale military offensive on Xavier's mansion and School for the Gifted. Magneto, newly escaped from the plastic prison he was incarcerated in, proposes a partnership with the X-Men to combat their common and formidable enemy, Stryker. Storyline: Several months have passed since The X-Men defeated Magneto and imprisoned him in a seemingly impregnable plastic chamber. One day, a mutant by the name of Nightcrawler infiltrates the White House and attempts to assassinate the president, setting off a chain reaction of anti-mutant measures by the government. Meanwhile, Logan is trying to discover his past. As scientist named William Stryker discovers Professor X's secret school and Cerebro, Magneto's partner, Mystique, is planning to break her leader out of prison. But when Professor X's school is attacked by Stryker's forces, Logan, Rogue, Iceman and a few are lucky to escape. Those who remain meet in Boston, where they form an uneasy alliance with Magneto to stop Stryker and rescue Professor X. Written by John Wiggins Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, April 23, 2009 -- Sharing the world has never been humanity's defining attribute. The X-Men franchise seems to follow the classic trend where a great movie is often followed up by a film that comes close to equaling, or even surpassing in quality, the original. Whether it be Aliens, The Empire Strikes Back, The Godfather: Part II, or The Dark Knight, sequels to some of the best films ever made often don't disappoint. Then again, there is always The Lost World: Jurassic Park, Weekend at Bernie's II, and The Chronicles of Riddick. Fortunately, X2 falls squarely into the former category, the film not quite as deep as the original but just as exciting, well-scripted, and far darker and somber in tone. It's a classic sequel to be sure, turning much of the original's foundation on its head without sacrificing integrity or continuity, and ending on a more emotionally downtrodden note that at once both leaves the viewer mentally exhausted and eager for more in the inevitable sequel that, in most instances, can't help but disappoint next to the first two films. With Magneto (Ian McKellen, The Lord of the Rings) imprisoned in a special holding cell but the anti-mutant sentiment still going strong, X2 opens with a mutant infiltration of the White House where a clear message is delivered -- "Mutant freedom now." Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart, Mysterious Island) and the team set out to discover the real purpose of the attack -- and who is behind it. Storm (Halle Berry, Gothika) and Dr. Jean Gray (Famke Janssen, The Wackness) discover the identity of the assailant, a former circus-performing mutant named Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming, Spy Kids) with the ability to teleport. Meanwhile, Xavier and Cyclops (James Marsden, 27 Dresses) pay a visit to an old friend -- Magneto -- and discover a plot hatched by William Stryker (Brian Cox, Zodiac), a man with a personal grudge against mutants and Professor Xavier, to destroy all mutants using Xavier's own powers against them. It's up to Wolverine (Hugh Jackman, Deception), Rogue (Anna Paquin, Trick 'r Treat), and the X-Men team -- alongside a few surprising allies -- to stop Stryker before it's too late. X2 continues in the tradition of its predecessor, never forgetting its roots and smartly intertwining thought-provoking drama into the midst of the action. Bryan Singer, returning to direct this sequel, expands the character list; continues to develop the primary characters, particularly with regard to their interpersonal relationships; and doubles up on the action, offering a good deal more explosions, fights, and special effects, but not to the detriment of the emotional core of the series. In fact, the film's darker themes -- including those of self-sacrifice -- make X2 a formidable film, for it ups the ante from the first entry by further humanizing its characters, particularly those not considered "normally" human, and further questioning the motives and thought processes of those who see in the mutants a foe rather than a friend. The film does so in two ways: through the forcible, malicious Stryker and through the more comically-oriented but nevertheless just as intriguing exchange between a quartet of mutants and Iceman's parents. It's the latter that proves to be one of the film's highlights, seeing the conflict not from the extreme ends of the spectrum, which dominated the first film and makes for the crux of the second, but rather from an "every-man's" perspective, where prejudices seem not based in any sort of reality or personal experience but rather on news snippets and questionably-motivated gossip. While certainly not the film's defining moment, the sequence does allow for a different perspective and even a subtle commentary on learned prejudices. X2's thematic significance and continuity with the foundation established in the first film is once again supported by tremendous action sequences and dizzying special effects. The film sees more involved action sequences that once again reinforce the importance of teamwork and trust to the successful completion of the mission and/or the survival of the team. The film is slicker than its predecessor, with an even more confident air that is palpable throughout the film. Singer's direction is steady but unobtrusive, and the special effects are generally seamlessly inserted into the picture. Rarely does a poor, misplaced, or otherwise ineffective effect to be seen, and like any good effects picture, those seen in X2 reinforce the story rather than tell it. Like the first film, though, X2 would be a far different -- and arguably far less -- picture without the first-class talent in front of the camera. Once again, Ian McKellen steals the show with a fine performance as Magneto. His depiction of the villain is a fascinating one, playing the part with bravado and a subtly-effective over-the-top effort that makes the character all the more sinister but not at all ridiculous or unbelievable. Patrick Stewart, one of the finest pure actors alive, again offers a stellar performance, and the entirety of the X-Men team, and new-to-the-film Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, turn in efforts above and beyond the call of duty. X2 is a great sequel to a stellar film. While it is well-paced, congruous with the style and themes of the first, and builds upon the lore of the franchise, it doesn't quite match the level of excellence of the first, but it doesn't miss the mark by all that much, either. X2 is marked, once again, by standout performances by Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, each of whom play incredibly well one off the other and fit their characters nicely. With bigger action sequences and better special effects, once again made a part of the story rather than defining the whole, X2 is one of the best sequels of the decade. 20th Century Fox's Blu-ray presentation is first-class. Once again delivering fine picture quality, a demo-worthy lossless soundtrack, and a fine helping of extra material, X2's Blu-ray debut is a must-own. Highly recommended. (Based on Comic Book) Cast Notes: Patrick Stewart (Professor Charles Xavier), Hugh Jackman (Logan / Wolverine), Ian McKellen (Eric Lensherr / Magneto), Halle Berry (Ororo Munroe / Storm), Famke Janssen (Jean Grey), James Marsden (Scott Summers / Cyclops), Anna Paquin (Marie / Rogue), Rebecca Romijn (Raven Darkholme / Mystique [as Rebecca Romijn-Stamos]), Brian Cox (William Stryker), Alan Cumming (Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler), Bruce Davison (Senator Kelly), Aaron Stanford (John Allerdyce / Pyro), Shawn Ashmore (Bobby Drake / Iceman), Kelly Hu (Yuriko Oyama / Lady Deathstrike), Katie Stuart (Kitty Pryde / Shadowcat). IMDb Rating (06/01/11): 7.4/10 from 134,083 users
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