X2: X-Men United (DVD, 2003, 2-Disc Set, Widescreen)

It's rule of thumb sequels rarely equal the original. Even when they do, the fans are general a bit jaded, knowing what to expect on the second go around, so even if it is as good, it's not as fresh. Expectations can really hurt a film. Everyone is so excited they often expect MORE, and so are let down no matter how good the film is. So going in, sequels have a hard road. When one is as good it's rare; when it's BETTER that is unbelievable. WEll, believe it - X 2 is even better.

The characters are set, so this film gives the chance to explore them a little deeper. Glad to say the whole cast is back. Super fun to see Gandolf being a bad guy! Ian McKellan is back as Magneto the mutant who sees the destruction of mankind as the only way for the mutants to survive. Patrick Stewart is Professor Charles Xavier, the kindly mentor who has a safe haven for mutants and works for their betterment for all. Back also are Hugh Jackman as Logan/Wolverine; Halle Berry magnificent as Storm; Famke Janssen as Jean Grey and Bruce Davison as Senator Kelly . Also, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique, Magneto's new sidekick, Brian Cox (the first Hannibal Lector) as Striker, his mutant killer Yuriko Oyama is played well by Kelly Hu and super addition is Alan Cumming as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler. The whole cast does a wonderful job.

When we last saw Magneto, he'd been imprisoned within a plastic jail, since any metal can be reformed and used by him. Everyone was happy at the school run by Xavier, while Logan was off trying to figure out his past. The Senator was now a mutant.

After the Nightcrawler attacks the president in a protest for Mutant's rights, Striker is able to pressure the president into a campaign against Xavier's School, playing right into Magneto's plans. Short order, Mystique has Magneto free, but Xavier has been taken by Strike who is trying to manipulate him into killing all the mutants. Thus in a switch, the good mutants must work with Magneto to free Xavier.

It's lightning pace, wonderful effects, great fight scenes and stronger character development. It's just an outstanding action flick that leaves you hungry for X 3!!

I bought X-2: X-Men United after seeing X-Men 3 in the movie theatre. I came home so excited that I wanted to see the first and second movies again and just decided to purchase them. I really like X-2 because it is very action packed and also takes the viewer a little bit deeper into the overall plot with Xavier vs. Magneto, and the viewer also finds out about Wolverine's beginnings. The ending totally leaves you hanging and made me excited to see the third movie.

The DVD also has some cool features you can check out as well. Also, in X-2 they introduce a new mutant (my second favorite character next to Wolverine), which helps to keep the viewer interested.

The only thing about X-2 that I don't love is that it seems to go a little long in the middle. The beginning and the end are great and the middle drags just a little. However, if you like the first movie you will definitely enjoy the second one.

What do i like about it, first of all it's Widescreen (with so many big tv screens out there i don't understand why they keep releasing Full Screen versions). Second it's a special edition with lots of extras (that's the reason for the second dvd), Third and maybe this is the most important it was sealed.
I'm a big fan of Marvel Comics since i was a kid, so i always dreamed of making a film about Spider-Man or any other Marvel Super Heroe (i'm a filmmaker), and when the Sam Raimi film came out i was a total fan again (the first two films about Spider-Man were really bad). So now i have my comic collection and my film collection on dvd of Marvel Heroes. I bought this one when it came out, but somebody stole it. And thanks to eBay i found it and bought it. Now my collection is complete again.

The special effects and costumes in X2 are fabulous! Lots of action and a decent plot are a draw for young and old alike. Excellent casting allowed even minor characters (such as Pyro and Rogue) to shine in this sequel. This storyline gives more background on Wolverine and foreshadows the coming of the Phoenix as well. While it doesn't follow the original comic's storyline exactly, the story flows seamlessly and believable. Some actions scenes may be a bit too intense for young children, but it is a great picture all in all!

This movie rocks and you will love it. The action is intense and the special effects are better than the first. The story is great and this movie rivals the Spider-man movies for the best comic book movie adaptation ever. You will be amazed by this movie, get it for you collection. This is definitely a must own.

The bonus material is great and the second disc full of stuff is very goof. If you are a fan of the movie, action sequences or the comic book, you will love all of the bonus material.