Revisiting X-Men 2k18: X2 (2003)

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Story by: Zak Penn, David Hayter & Bryan Singer

Screenplay by: Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris & David Hayter

The X-Men band together to find a mutant assassin who has made an attempt on the President's life, while the Mutant Academy is attacked by military forces.

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I've heard many people say that X2 is the best one of the original trilogy, and I have to agree, the first one being a little tame and the third one just being wrong on all accounts.

What I mostly like about X2 is it gives hints to Wolverine's past, which was a mystery in the first one, apart from few quick flashes. I also like the new characters we get to meet, even though this might be the last time we see them, apart from a game that takes place between X2 and X-Men: The Last Stand. (I have that game, but didn't get to finish it: it was old and the computer didn't like it. But that game would've explained why Nightcrawler is not in The Last Stand.) And one thing I really, really like about X2 is that it finally has that epic theme music. Unfortunately the next time it's in a movie it's during X-Men Days of Future Past. 

This time the story is a bit more epic, because the stakes are high: it's not just some people that are in danger, it's... Well, everyone. 

William Stryker is an easy-to-hate villain, but he's great. It's not hard to understand why he hates mutants and why he has so many issues with them, but you won't agree with him, which is something I appreciate about how a villain is written. Also Stryker as a villain creates wonderful conflict when it comes to Logan - since apparently Stryker knows him and knows more about him than Logan himself does. 

Another thing I like about this plot and some others is the way Charles Xavier is manipulated and / or used as a weapon. Those plotlines are terrifying mostly because... We all know what Xavier is like. He's a leader: calm, wise, with high morals, but when him and his talents are used against everything Xavier believes in... It's just something so horrible, and I really enjoy watching those stories. 

X2 is still a little bit... Boring. It' an OK superhero movie, but it's not perfect and something's missing. It still keeps you hooked, and you'll definitely want to see what's going to happen with the Phoenix storyline. 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

7 / 10