Movie Review

'X2' imaginative and powerful

by Matt Paulson
Sports Editor

"The war has begun."

The apt words of the all-powerful Magneto in "X2," the much anticipated sequel of "X-Men" (2000), dictate the recurring theme of both these movies: humans vs. mutants.

In this sequel, Magneto, played by Ian McKellen ("Lord of the Rings," "David Copperfield"), shares the role of lead villain with General William Stryker, played by Brian Cox ("The Ring," "The Bourne Identity," "Super Troopers").

These two, however, portray different levels of evilness. Stryker is seen as the super-villain who is purely evil, while Magneto shows a stripe of good, albeit small.

The story in "X2" begins with a failed assassination attempt on the President of the United States by newly introduced German mutant Nightcrawler, aka Kurt Wagner, played by Alan Cumming ("Get Carter," "Spy Kids," "Josie and the Pussycats").

The attempt fails and Nightcrawler is eventually captured by the "good" mutants of the Mutant Academy, Storm (Halle Berry: "Swordfish," "Die Another Day") and Dr. Jean Gray (Famke Jannsen: "X-Men," "House on Haunted Hill," "Made").

We find out that Nightcrawler, a peaceful, acquiescent Catholic, is under the control of a serum developed by Stryker, a military scientist.

Stryker, in his plot to rid the world of mutants, captures Professor Charles Xavier, played by Patrick Stewart ("Star Trek: The Next Generation").

Stryker's son, Jason, an exile from the Mutant Academy, holds the same power as Professor Xavier ­ the ability to read and control one's mind.

General Stryker has harnessed this power and used his son's power to control Xavier's mind. Using "Cerebro 2," a copy of Xavier's "Cerebro," introduced in "X-Men," General Stryker holds the ability to force Xavier to kill all mutants.

Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman ("Swordfish," "Kate and Leopold"), the bad-ass star of the X-Men series also returns. We uncover the secret behind who gave him his adamantium claws, something that remained unknown at the conclusion of "X-Men."

With the story written and directed by 37-year-old Bryan Singer, whose major directorial debut was "Usual Suspects" (not a bad start), "X2" begins with a bang.

The intensity of the opening assassination scene sets the tone for the movie. A bigger budget than X-Men brings the viewer more special effects-laced shots. The increased intensity of the scene is complimented nicely by the music of John Ottman ("Usual Suspects," "Cable Guy," "Lake Placid").

The conflict of the movie is not new.

The idea of "bad" mutants, led by Magneto against the humans, who are protected by Professor Xavier and his brigade was used in "X-Men." One may call this redundant.

But it works. Comic books use this sort of repetitive conflict, as do sequels. In comic books, there is generally a hero, a villain, and a recurring conflict.

Taking into account that this is obviously a movie about a comic book created by the legendary Stan Lee, carrying over the conflict in the movie works, as long as the plot is different and the story does not rely wholly on an unoriginal continuation of the last movie.

"X2" takes a different direction, which is why I give it my recommendation.

It also leaves itself open for another sequel. With a comic book, one holds the ability to continue spitting out sequels simply because as long as the story is different, endless new villains can be created to combat our heroes.

The end of "X2," specifically in reference to Wolverine, leaves itself open for another issue.

Just as in the end of "X-Men," we are left with many unanswered questions about Wolverine's past ­ questions that could be answered with more sequels.

Even if you do not have an interest in comic books, there is something for everyone.

Nightcrawler takes care of those of faith. A love triangle among Wolverine, Cyclops and Dr. Jean Gray takes care of fans of "Pearl Harbor," and astounding special effects will satiate the appetite of "Matrix" fans.

The incredibly imaginative variety of mutant powers will leave dorks like myself, that constantly fantasize about boasting any one of these powers, satisfied.