With the success of the 2000 blockbuster “X-Men,” it was the hope of director Bryan Singer that the same fans that flocked to the theatres three years ago would do the same for the sequel. His wish has been granted, as “X-Men 2” has become the highest grossing film in the world. That’s right, not only has this movie reached high status acclaim in the U.S, but X-fever is sweeping throughout the globe. As of April 29, “X-Men 2” raked in an astonishing $300 million in the U.S. alone.
The X-Men movies are the screen adaptation of Marvel Comics’ all time best selling series that began more than forty years ago. “X-Men 2” begins where its predecessor left off, with the super heroes’ eternal struggle for acceptance in a society where they are viewed as mutants.
These super heroes include Hugh Jackman and Ian Mckellen, but I know all of the guys out there really want to see Halle Berry and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos.
These mystical powers that the X-Men possess include everything from claws thrusting from Wolverine’s knuckles, to fire and ice exploding through the bodies off Pyro and Iceman, to the remarkable morphing from persona to persona by Mystique. The mutants are placed under the tutorship of one Professor Charles Xavier, who is played by actor Patrick Stewart.
Bryan Singer was sure to capture the audience from the get-go, with the opening scene of an attack on the White House being one of the most explosive in the film. From there it seems as if the action never slows up. But don’t let all of my talk of action lead you to believe that this is just another blow ’em up movie, although there is a lot of it. Singer does a good job of creating a plot-driven piece through story telling and character development.
More than anything, this is a film about prejudice and intolerance against the “outsiders” of society. It is not only a story of having others accept you for who you are, but being able to figure out who you are as well. Don’t worry, though; there is not so much of this touchy feely stuff that it takes away from the real enjoyment of the movie, which is without a doubt all of the kick-ass fighting.