X2

Of the first three X-Men films, this is the one considered to be the best of them, as I can definitely see why. It feels like the writers were more comfortable telling a story than they were with the first one, and the acting and fight sequences are on point.

The plot focuses on the X-Men, led by Wolverine, played again by Hugh Jackman, who must team up with Magneto, played again by Ian McKellen, in an unlikely alliance to save Professor X, played by Patrick Stewart, from the xenophobic William Stryker, played brilliantly by Brian Cox. As far as the storyline goes, it felt a lot tighter and better put together than the first film, and there were some amazing action sequences, the standout being Wolverine vs. Lady Deathstrike, a mutant with similar powers to his.

The acting was probably some of the best in the series up to this point, with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Hugh Jackman all turning in great performances as usual, with more layers being added onto Magneto's character in particular. In addition, I feel Famke Janssen, who plays the role of Jean Grey, had a lot more to do in this movie compared to the first one, and she gets some really good scenes, especially toward the end, and Shawn Ashmore, who plays Iceman, also had a really good scene where he reveals to his human family that he is a mutant, and the acting from every character in the scene was on point. Easily the best newcoming performance goes to Brian Cox, who plays Stryker as a cold, calculating man who sees mutants as nothing more than a disease to be eradicated, and it shows in his ultimate scheme of wanting to eliminate them all.

Overall, this was definitely an improvement on the X-Men story over the first film, and I would argue this was a deeper story with better focus on the characters than before. It does meander a bit in some places, but they are few and far between, so you'll probably enjoy yourself with this movie despite these minor flaws.

Next time, we go to the origin story of one of Marvel's biggest, greenest, angriest heroes, and watch as he...introspects about his existence? Join me when I review the enigma that is Hulk.

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