X-Men 1.5/X-Men 2: 4 disc doublepack [DVD] [2003]

X-men 2 in a sense is more of the same except it builds on what X-men starts. It deepens relationships, especially in a love triangle between 3 of the x-men, and portrays the younger generation coming through and growing up and making their own choices about their lives. There are also a few genuine powerful emotional moments which changes the pace of the film now and again effectively and gives you a chance to catch your breath.
Both are well worth seeing as the films that set the present trend of super heroes films with more humanity and depth than spandex.

What can i say? The tone is even darker for x-men 2, which is great - it is this apocolyptic mood which makes the x-men one of marvel's greatest creations. I like also how the film works as a kind of analogy to the civil rights movement in the US during the 1950s and 60s: Professor Xavier is akin to martin luther king, preaching unity and tolerance between humans and mutants, while Magneto adopts Malcolm x's separatist, confrontational attitude.
As expected, the special effects are spectacular, but for me it is the plot, characters and cast which really propel things along. Ian Mckellen, a giant in the world of acting, is really fantastic as the cynical Magneto. Hugh Jackman has made the wolverine role his own, while Patrick Stewart seems to have finally shaken off the Captain picard persona in his portrayal of Professor Xavier.

Finally, Mystique must rate as the sexiest female blue mutant in cinema history.

The first X-Men movie was enjoyable, a bit too short, an iffy story and not quite epic enough but it achieved its main aim - to introduce the characters and the world of mutants.

With that out of the way, the sequel was able to get down to the nitty gritty and have some real fun! In short, this film is vastly superior to the first in every way. The story, acting and production of the film is top notch.

All the usual players are back, Captain Picard....*ahem* I mean Patrick Stewart as Professor X, a beardless Gandalf aka Ian McKellen as Magneto and Hugh Jackman is in top form as Wolverine. All the other X-men return and their characters are further fleshed out in this film but the aforementioned three are the key figures.

The new additions are perhaps the most impressive however, Stryker is the brilliantly malevolent baddie intent on mutant genocide, Pyro, a young mutant with possibly the coolest power ever - the ability to control fire - and Nightcrawler, a mutant capable of teleportation through walls, stars in a terrific opening scene that sets the high standard which the rest of the film sticks to admirably.

There are several other memorable scenes - not least special forces raiding the Mutant School and Wolverine proceeding to rip em a new one, and the finale inside an abandoned military compound.

The film concludes on something of a cliff-hangar with the end scene very VERY reminiscent of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. So plans for X-Men 3 are no doubt in the pipeline and while I have no great faith in money spinning sequels, if it picks up where X-Men 2 left off, it'll get my seal of approval!

I will definitely be picking this one up on DVD.