In 2003, Bryan Singer returned to the superhero realm with X2: X-Men United.
The film was a huge success financially and critically and that was no sure thing when it was greenlit.
Between the screenplay and the story, six names are credited on the finished film.
Characters were added in (Angel, a returning Sabretooth) before being written out again.
Further rewrites were ordered to give Halle Berry more screen-time.
The Sentinels and the Danger Room were lost in a budget cut.
It may not qualify for a troubled production, but it was hardly a walk in the park either.
Heres why it works…
X-Men 2s script is an absolute slam-dunk.
and an impressive villain in the shape of Brian Coxs military scientist William Stryker.
Most importantly, though this story is personal.
The main threat, Stryker, is tied seamlessly into the pasts of two of the lead characters.
Well, his scientific meddling certainly didnt help in that regard.
Its not a stretch to say thatX-Men 2is a better Wolverine origin story thanX-Men Origins: Wolverine.
This father-son-teacher dynamic is creepy in of itself, and Singer shoots these scenes with unsettling off-kilter angles.
An uncontrollable mutant killed his wife, and Stryker is just trying to get revenge.
Needless to say, Brian Cox handles this material extremely well.
Meanwhile,X2s script weaves in strands of character development for the other stars from the first film.
Theyre utterly believable here, and Paquin even impresses in action sequences.
), which remains a highlight of the series.
As an everyman cipher for any teenager whos ever kept a secret, he does very well.
Its a shame he doesnt really get any action beats in this one.
Nightcrawler only talks in a handful of scenes, but is still served some meaty character moments.
Alan Cumming sizzles throughout, particularly in the church scene when he first interacts with the X-Men.
As scripts go, this one juggles a massive ensemble cast and gives almost everyone something interesting to do.
Storm is the only one who feels a little short-changed getting action beats but none of the personal stuff.
Balancing these disparate strands was hardly a simple task.
These are literally consecutive scenes, but somehow it doesnt jar at all.
Indeed,X-Men 2doesnt shy away from violence.
However, theres always room for comedy to stop proceedings getting too miserable.
Theres verbal sparring between Logan and James Masdens Cyclops (your bike needs gas/then fill her up).
Kurt repeatedly fails to theatrically introduce himself.
The radio in the getaway car plays NSync, for crying out loud.
Tonally, this is a comic book movie that knows its a comic book movie.
The stylistic pallet of the film matches up to this changeable tone, too.
Heres a bit of an aside.
This is another example ofX-Men 2s seeming determination to yo everyone.
And wed say that it worked.
All these minute moments prove something important aboutX-Men 2.
X-Men 2s visuals are perhaps its biggest strength, from the very beginning.
Effects, choreography, direction and performance are in perfect sync throughout this scene.
Spectacle-wise, nothing quite tops it, but there are plenty of other inspired action moments throughout.
The battle at the Alkali Lake facility between Wolverine and Lady Deathstrike is brilliant, too.
However, this scene was never really about the effects, it was all about the emotions.
Famke Janssen always impresses, no matter how dodgy the effects look.
The same goes for the Cerebro scenes between Jason, his adorable female avatar, and the neurally-inhibited Charles.
Everyone gets a cool moment, and the majority of important characters get some form of arc, too.
Wolvies fight with Lady Deathstrike is one of the best, too.
The main strength ofX-Men 2is simple, though its not ashamed of being a comic book movie.
Laughs abound, too, if nerdy spots arent your thing.
If theX-Menfranchise ever does better than this, Ill be genuinely amazed.
And very happy about it, too.
