X-Men 2-Man Would These Kids Be Screwed Up
X-Men 2 is one of those rare sequels that is actually better than the first. This, does not happen often, but what a nice surprise when it does. The script is entertaining, fun and at time even slightly thought provoking. The movie largely focuses around the governments attempts to catalog all the mutants via the Mutant Registration Act. A military unit led by a William Striker has an elaborate plan that is less than nice for mutants. In a rememberable scene, Striker has Professor Xavier’s school for the gifted attacked. There are great effects, great battle sequences and the acting is mostly on target.
The action sequences are some of the best in any recent film. One revolves around Magneto and his glass prison and another centers on a battle between Wolverine and one of Striker’s henchmen Lady Deathstrike. A third sequence worthy of note is the opening scene with Nightcrawler. This is one of the most eye-catching opening sequences in years and sucks the audience in hook, line and sinker. Excellent CG and effects abound and will leave most fans of action and science-fiction films more than satisfied. With X-Men 2 Singer proves he can consistently direct the big budget action films. The combination of visuals and action make this one of the best comic book movie rides to date and firmly establishes the X-Men series as a force to be reckoned with.
Is it a perfect sci-fi action film, well no not exactly there are numerous problems to be sure. One is how the young mutants are portrayed in the film. Not one of them have any truly serious problems, I mean other than being able to shoot fire out of their posterior and the like. Wouldn’t these kids, burdened with the extra issues of being mutants, be even more screwed up than non-mutant teens? This is most definitely not like being gay or the only Hispanic kid in school, this takes it to an entire other level. Imagine how scared sh**less you or I would be tomorrow if some guy was able to turn his outer skin into a impenetrable metal alloy, or fire a freaking laser beam out of his eyes, or generate a snow storm. That goes way beyond fear. The average Joe would be so ready to kill these guys.
True hysteria the likes of which humanity has probably never seen anywhere, would erupt overnight. So my point is-these kids would be super-screwed up. We’re talking drug addiction extreme for starters either with legal or illegal substances. These freaking kids would be medicated. Its one thing to be a teen and feel like you are a freak as most teens do, its another to have basically, the entire world agreeing. The parallel to homosexuality only goes so far, because not everyone, everywhere in the world is scared to death that homosexuals might decide to one day get together and wipe mankind out. Those folks are out there, but they probably constitute a pretty small minority even within the haters camp. Repairing this poorly thought out issue would really help the believability of the script and help the audience relate to all the characters a little better.
Story B+
Acting B+ (Some of the performances by the younger mutants really need some work. In particular Shawn Ashmore could really use some time at the acting gym.)
Visuals A
Originality/Innovation B
Enjoyability Grade A
Home Theater/HD Factor A (Lots of eye-candy to enjoy in HD.)
Overall Grade A
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