Viewed on 14 May 03   Seldom does a sequel live up to its predecessor, but when it does, it has already exceeded expectations.   X-MEN 2 is one of these remarkable few, but the real test remains: does X-MEN 2 entertain us ?    Answer: a qualified "yes".   X-MEN 2 thankfully remains faithful to the comic book theme without invoking a gag-reflex on underlying themes of tolerance and prejudice.   Here, the peaceful mutants (the X-Men) will likely have to band together with the militant mutants to combat a common deadly enemy - a scheming military commander (a 'normal' human) who is initiating a program to annihilate all mutants.   He is claiming that the mutants are responsible for attempting to kill the President.   He is particularly dangerous because he seems to have an unusual amount of specific information about the mutants - so even should the mutants combine forces against him there is no guarantee of success.   But this "cooperative mode", if it can be effected, will be brought about at a cost...  
        After the movie was over, the 'X-men buffs' (fully as hideous as any Trekkie, but mercifully fewer in number) wasted no time gathering outside to debate - The topic of uppermost importance was: were there too many new X-Men characters cluttering up the plot this time around, or were the additional X-Men a welcome improvement?    The battle likely still rages in the lobby, I don't know - there is only so much we mortals can stand of this angels-on-the-head-of-a-pin blather before we either run for the escalators, or vomit.   But I will say that those naysayer 'X-Men buffs' had the upper hand - in the film, while the dam was breaking and threatening a watery death to all, the X-Men were running around like rats on the Titanic .   Including Iceman, whose special power, again, was ...what?    Perhaps he had his finger up his nose giving himself a brain-freeze job?    Overwhelming proof that all these various X-Men and their myriad powers got away from Director Singer - he still may not have figured it out...
     Enduring Line:  "You are a god among insects, don't let them tell you any differently."

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