Ladies and Gentlemen, just when you thought it was safe to stay in and study, the summer movie season begins.
“X-Men United” (also known as X2) went into production mere months after the success of the first movie, the aptly titled “X-Men.” The first movie, adapted from the Marvel Comic X-Men, was released three years ago to much critical acclaim. The initial success of “X-Men” started the comic-book crossover series of movies we are seeing now with the releases of “Spider-Man” and “Daredevil.”
In case you forgot the first movie or didn’t bother to see it, here’s a quick synopsis. In the not-so-distant future, genetic mutation begins to appear among humans when they reach their teenage years. These mutations give them superhero-like powers, such as telekinesis. Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), is head of a school for mutant children, a school that is also home base for the X-Men, Xavier’s band of mutants who are intent on preventing a war between mutants and ‘normal’ people.
These X-Men are teachers at the school, but by night they suit up and fight for the rights of mutants around the globe. Cyclops (James Marsden), Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and Storm (Halle Berry) are Professor X’s first X-Men, but soon Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who has superhuman healing powers and an indestructible skeleton, joins the crew. Together, these empowered heroes foil a plot by the metal-manipulating mutant Magneto (Ian McKellen) to turn the world’s leaders into mutants and save their new student Rogue, (Anna Paquin) in the process.
X2 picks up where X-Men left off, painting the picture of a world that still largely is afraid of mutants and what they can do. When we left our heroes, the evil Magneto had been locked in a plastic prison, and it looked as if a war had been averted. Professor X had sent the amnesic Wolverine north to investigate his missing past. Although things seem quiet for a while, a crisis erupts and the X-Men find themselves fighting for their own preservation.
The world is shocked when the U. S. president almost is assassinated in the White House by the mysterious teleporting mutant Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming). After the attack is barely foiled, American Special Forces raid Professor X’s school, led by mutant-hating William Stryker (Brian Cox), and although the Special Forces are no match for Wolverine and the mutant children, the X-Men are forced to scatter. Running from American authorities who blame the X-Men for the assassination attempt, they ally with their old enemy, Magneto, to save all of mutantkind from an enemy that holds the key to total mutant annihilation.
“The first one was good, but X2 had way more of an interesting plot because we already knew the characters,” said Brady Hendrix, a biological sciences freshman. “Overall, I’d say the sequel was a lot better.”
X2 is a funny, action-packed movie anyone can enjoy. Although many recent comic book movie releases have been lacking, the start of the summer rush signals the promise of quality, multi-million dollar movies to keep us entertained. This movie is a must-see for anyone who saw the first movie and a definite attention-getter for those of you who didn’t.