"Have you tried not being a mutant?"

The Five Emojis of X2 ------ 😍 Amazing opening sequence, introducing us to one of the more interesting mutants from the comics, Nightcrawler. With the base set in the previous film, Bryan Singer puts focus on developing characters further and fleshing out the world, while keeping everything interesting by adding new elements, of which the greatest one is the magnificent Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. The visuals have been hugely improved from the first film and still look really good. X2 is a funnier and more exciting film, with higher stakes and a faster tempo. This film some of the finest scenes in the franchise, such as the opening scene, the assault on Xavier's and the visit to Bobby's parents. All the regulars are still amazing and we get a lot more beautiful Wolverine action. Bigger, bolder and more natural action scenes really help make this sequel worth a watch. Great to see humanity, lead by the tragic Stryker (expertly portrayed by Brian Cox) as the main villain of the film, since that deepens the main theme of the franchise. The other villains are also more compelling compared to the first one. Amazing score adds just the right tone to the more intense scenes. Feels a whole lot more like an X-Men team-up film, with the script allowing the characters to complement each other. That whole final act by the lake is dragged out but very well-paced, creating one of the stronger finales in the genre. Incredibly powerful ending. Hits the right emotional notes by being funny, touching and exciting. 😃 Anna Paquin feels a lot more comfortable and natural as Rogue this time around. Significantly better paced and divided between the school stuff and the X-Men stuff. Bobby Drake and Pyro are given bigger roles and complete the cast in smaller roles. Cool to see the uneasy alliance between Magneto and the X-Men as well as the build-up to the the third film. 😐 The film kind of forgets about Storm, Cyclops and Jean for large parts. Mystique still isn't particularly interesting. Nightcrawler is sadly undetutilized. :frowning2: :face_vomiting: ------ The Final Emoji: 😍

"X2" is one of the very best films of the superhero genre. The characters are well-defined and above all else, that's what makes "X2" so good. The threat to all mutants by bad guy Stryker unites Prof. Xavier and the X-Men with Magneto. This unlikely teaming is remarkable in that their dialogue and interaction actually overshadows the big action scenes. Magento and Mystique are the most interesting characters and their scenes are the most memorable. Magneto's escape from his plastic prison and Mystique's shape-shifting deception are fantastic. Much was made of the opening scene, which features an attack on the White House by Nightcrawler. The effect of Nightcrawler's transportation ability is unique and I can't recall seeing anything like it before or since. Some of the tried and true X-Men favorites are a little dull, though. The struggle of Wolverine to regain memories of his origin are secondary to the possible elimination of all mutants. The psychic manipulation of Prof. Xavier gets a little lengthy, too. Storm and Cyclops are mostly a bore but that's a little unfair because there's really not enough screen time to go around. The source of the conflict is intolerance and hatred between humans and mutants. The movie doesn't take sides and is not heavy-handed or preachy.

My brother loved this one.

"What the hell is that?" "A jet." "What kind of jet?" "We don't know. But it comes up out of the basketball court."