X2: X-Men United (Blu-ray Disc, 2009, 2-Disc Set, Canadian; Sensormatic; Widescreen)

X2 gets to join that small list of sequels that exceed the originals. The first was deeply flawed, and this installment not only fixes those flaws, but goes beyond them.

The largest flaw of X-Men, was that it lacked character development. Well not only does the sequel develop the original stellar cast, but it adds more characters...who are ALSO developed!!! Wolverine's (Hugh Jackman) haunting past is laid out. He has choices to make, discoveries to find, memories to rediscover...Rogue (Anna Paquin) has a boyfriend Bobby/Iceman (series newcomer Shawn Ashmore) and they are both trying to get close to each other, while overcoming Rogue's devastatingly unique talent (for those who don't know she sucks the life from people who make physical contact with her). Jean Grey's powers are growing out of control, and she has to try and contain them, while also finding out why. Not to mention she's tangled in a love triangle with Wolverine and Cyclops (James Marsden). And Mystique (Rebbecca Romijn) is trying to interject herself into that as well. Even professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) seems to be in a rut, the thought of a former student (Michael Reid MacKay) on mind.

Among the newcomers are Pyro (Aaron Standford), a temperamental teen with a flare (HA!) for playing with fire. And maybe joining the brotherhood (Magneto's band of mutant terrorists)...? And Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), a teleporter, who has deep catholic faith, and nearly (though he doesn't know why) killed the president. And a silent assailant/bodyguard, Deathstrike (Kellly Hu). With some future mutants hinted at (such as Colossus).

The story is also much better this time around, finding a far more radical villain (William Striker, played with uncanny ability by Brian Cox) trying to permanently exterminate mutants. The stakes are high, and it plays out awesomely, featuring truly amazing action sequences along the way (a breath-taking opening assault on the white house; and an intense raid on the mutant school).

There's light humor spread here and there (Wolverine hears a noise, and unleashes his claws on...a cat, who proceeds to lick them), and the atmosphere of the first (a perfect capturing of mutant segregation) is still intact (notable most, when Bobby Drake/Iceman goes to his parents to tell them what he is).

Better on Blu-Ray then DVD, I was surprised as the visual and audio difference.

What a great movie. I bought it on Blu Ray because I wanted to watch it again in HD.
DVD to Bluray was a huge difference.
Could not be happier with it.