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stuartbaket 71, Male, Illinois, USA - First entry!

Apr 2020
8:10 AM EST

X2: X-MEN UNITED

A group of ostensibly good mutants size up a newly reunited pair of genocidal mutants while a more sinister threat emerges. An you probably know, the X-Men films are based on a successful comic book series from Marvel, and like Spiderman and DC Comics stars Superman and Batman, there is a necessary suspension of disbelief, beyond the usual level for summer blockbuster films. Therefore, this review will disregard the tenuous baseline assertion that humankinds next evolutionary step took place over the last half-century resulting in human beings capable of a) teleporting, b) shooting laser beams for your eyes, c) healing from stab wounds in a second or two, d) freezing all human behavior, and e) psychically manipulating metal, the weather, or fire.

Like the first film (the best film essaes from Mcessayservice), X2 is directed by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects, Apt Pupil) from a script by the new team of Daniel Harris (The Killing of Candace Klein, Dancing with Agnes) and Michael Dougherty (Season�s Greetings). Besides the built-in comic book fan audience, the filmmakers are cashing in the cross-marketing cachet of Star Trek�s underrated Patrick Stewart (A Christmas Carol, The King of Texas) and The Lord of the Rings star Ian McKellen (Gods and Monsters, Apt Pupil). Not to mention the rest of the all-star cast, including Hugh Jackman (Swordfish, Kate & Leopold), Anna Paquin (The Piano, 25th Hour), Alan Cumming (Titus, The Anniversary Party), and the triple male lure of Halle Berry (Monster�s Ball, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge), Famke Janssen (Goldeneye, Deep Rising), and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos (Femme Fatale, Rollerball). The film crackles with star power, supported by glossy special effects. The film is designed as a visual treat, which is evident from the opening scene (the most dazzling special effect comes from Alan Cumming himself, who has somehow mutated from foppish indie character actor into kick-butt action hero).

Yet the story does not fully support all this weight. The film is ultimately a satisfactory experience, but it lacks the exhilaration and the immersive plotting of Star Trek: The Next Generation, or The Lord of the Rings films, the franchises that the X-Men movies� two leading actors are better known for. At all times, X2 feels like a topical summer film constructed and timed to take advantage of the start of summer vacation. Part of the difficulty in creating a compelling story out of the X-Men set-up is that there are too many superpowers overlapping to create authentic drama. For example, there are several dire moments in the film related to water, that the X-Men seem unable to face, yet Storm and Iceman both show the ability to control weather and liquids with ease. Why dont they do anything? Furthermore, if Nightcrawler can teleport anywhere as long as he can see where he�s going why is any X-Person at risk by standing in a dangerous location? And Jeans husband Scott seems so bland, and given so little to say or do, that he could have stepped out of Sesame Street. No wonder an unknown actor plays the role. The inherent flaws in this overloading of powers and superheroes is further exemplified by the ease with which it can be spoofed ��‚�š��€š�� as in The Tick, or the Ben Stiller-starring film Mystery Men.

Plot holes aren��‚�š��‚�ž�t the only thing that X2 has in common with other blockbuster films. Charles Xavier runs the mutant version of Hogwarts, while expanding his consciousness through a sphere that seems to be a redressed version of the stellar cartography room from his previous Star Trek set. Mutants pushing deflecting energy beams at each other seems reminiscent of Willow, Attack of the Clones, and The Lord of the Rings films. The US presidents willingness to take his country to war and retract constitutionally established rights in the name of national security is just like, well, thats real life, but it looks like� rerun of a bad movie.

While on the subject of political fodder, it does seem strange that when the police and government forces close in, thinking the mutants are a terrorist threat, Wolverine responds by eviscerating them. Since he clearly is virtually immune to their weapons, his maniacal killing of those who are under misguided orders or mental control seems excessive, especially in light of the moral behavior of his companions. On the plus side, every single aircraft, the X-Men�s jet, the air force jets, and a helicopter, are all piloted by women. Perhaps this is an attempt to atone for the male-centric title of the franchise.

Tags: essay, film essay, review, writing, x-men

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