“X2: X-Men United” proves that a sequel...

“X2: X-Men United” proves that a sequel can expand and improve upon

an original. In the tradition of “The Empire Strikes Back,” “The

Godfather, Part II,” “Aliens” and “Terminator 2: Judgment Day,” the

first installment was merely a scratch on the surface of the

franchise’s creative potential. While most sequels simply repeat the

original with diminished results, it takes a truly talented filmmaker

with a singular vision of what their fictional world should be to

transcend the pitfalls.

For Director Bryan Singer, the X-Men world is one he inhabits with

ease and confidence, deepening the characters and themes of 2000’s

“X-Men.”

For those not familiar with the Marvel Comics creation, the X-Men

are a band of mutants: humans whose genome has evolved at an

accelerated rate, thereby investing them with superhuman powers --

each possessing a unique ability -- but in grand Marvel tradition,

the power is both a gift and a curse. It’s this basic conflict that

is the doorway to some fascinating character development. In the case

of Rogue (Anna Paquin), she has the ability to disarm and stun others

with the touch of her skin, but this inhibits her from physical

contact with others; prolonged exposure to her touch can kill. Thus,

Rogue feels isolated and alone.

None of the X-Men simply have fancy superpowers, they’re always a

metaphor for their personalities; each pays a price for their gifts.

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) shoots metal claws out of both knuckles and

has a miraculous ability to quickly heal upon being gravely injured;

Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) is a talented psychic; Storm (Halle Berry)

can manipulate weather; Cyclops (James Marsden) wears dark shades to

cover and control eyes that shoot hot red laser beams; Pyro (Aaron

Stanford) manipulates fire; Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) effortlessly

transports his body from one space to another. And so on and so

forth.

Professor X (Patrick Stewart), in addition to running a New

England prep school for young mutants, has organized the adult

mutants into the X-Men organization, which is determined to use their

abilities and powers for the good of all mankind. They fight and

uphill battle for acceptance and equality: as government legislation

quietly moves in a direction that will eventually persecute mutants.

Contrasting Professor X is the feared Magneto (Ian McKellen), who,

having experienced a World War II Nazi death camp as a child, is a

Machiavellian extremist who believes mutants will never be free until

the human race is destroyed.

Magneto’s hard-line dogma has inspired his own loyalists,

including the shape-shifting Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), who

reject Professor X’s peaceful ideology. Magneto is by far the most

intriguing and sophisticated character in this universe, and the

knowledge that Magneto and Professor X were once allies underscores

the complexity of their relationship. As “X2” opens, Magneto remains

imprisoned in a specially tailored plastic jail cell that prevents

him from using his ability to manipulate metal. Magneto is visited by

Colonel William Stryker (an impeccable Brian Cox) who uses savage

methods to extract the location of Professor X’s school for the

gifted. Stryker is using a perceived threat on the President’s life

by a mutant to wage a full-scale war against mutants. As the story

develops, it will force the two opposing factions of mutants to join

forces against Stryker to preserve their species.

Singer uses metaphor to full effect. Racism, prejudice and hate

are easily explored within this context, injecting “X2” with more

resonance than most comic book adaptations even dream of attaining.

My only criticism is that with the addition of three new characters

to the mix, it is hard to service each of them adequately. To be

fair, every character is given their due, but it’s accomplished in

three scenes rather than seven, as was the case in the first “X-Men.”

Singer has risen to the challenge laid down to him with fine effect

-- he knows how to handle an ensemble -- but there simply isn’t time

to do more. “X2” also has a far more solid structure than the first

movie. Most of “X1” was spent introducing the various characters and

then squeezed in a truncated third act action sequence that felt

sudden and anti-climatic.

“X2” is the middle section of a trilogy that ends on an unexpected

note of tragedy that is both bold and touching. It gives it’s viewer

some semblance of closure, but equivocally lets you know there’s more

to come before the final curtain. I’m keeping my fingers cross that

Singer can make “X3” even better.

* ALLEN MacDONALD, 29, is working toward his master’s in

screenwriting from the American Film Institute in Los Angeles.

X2 Exceeds Expectations

They are the next link in the evolutionary chain. Each was born

with a unique genetic mutation, which manifested itself in

extraordinary powers. In a world increasingly filled with hatred and

prejudice, they are outcasts who are feared and loathed by those who

cannot accept their differences. Yet despite society’s pervasive

ignorance, the X-Men and thousands of other mutants across the globe

survive.

Under the tutelage of Professor Charles Xavier, the world’s most

powerful telepath, these “gifted” students have learned to control

and direct their respective powers for the greater good of mankind.

They fight to not only survive despite humanity, but to protect a

world that fears them. In “X2,” the next adventure in the X-Men saga,

the X-Men face their most dangerous mission ever, and must stand

united with their enemies to combat a menace that threatens all

mutant life, only to discover a hidden agenda to destroy all human

life.

Even though Wolverine is a certified loner, he seems to be more of

a leader of the X-Men in this installment than does Cyclops. Cyclops

(James Marsden) is hardly ever seen. The other returning mutants get

equal amounts of screen time. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle

Berry), Jean Gray/Phoenix (Famke Janssen) Prof. Charles Xavier

(Patrick Stewart) Rogue (Anna Paquin) John “Pyro” Allerdyce (Aaron

Stanford) and Bobby “Iceman” Drake (Shawn Ashmore) Magneto (Ian

McKellen) Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) all perform well and

provide story growth and action.

New faces for this edition include, Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming),

Deathstrike (Kelly Hu), General Stryker (Brian Cox), and a cameo by

Daniel Cudmore as a very un-Russian sounding Colossus.

Director Bryan Singer (who also has a story credit), navigates and

weaves a darker more powerful tale than in his original installment.

Banter between characters serves the story and develops the

characters amid incredible action sequences. Certainly “X2” is

similar in tone and purpose to “The Empire Strikes Back,” in that it

feels like a middle sequence to a larger story. It wraps up many

loose ends while sending the X-Men into their next chapter of

evolution by stealing bits and pieces of story from the X-Men comics

of the 1980s.

“X2” satisfies one’s hunger for character and action. For maximum

enjoyment, go see it when the crowds die down.

* RAY BUFFER, 33, is a professional singer, actor and voice-over

artist.