Movies based on comic-book heroes usually come in two flavors — dumb and dumber. I’m guessing the powers that be are operating on the misconception that comic-book fans aren’t very smart.
But to every rule there is an exception, and once in a great while comes a movie based on a comic-book hero (or heroes) that wildly exceeds expectations. The best recent examples are Bryan Singer’s X-Men (2000) and Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man. After seeing X2, the long-awaited sequel to X-Men, I can gladly say the list has another member.
Already living in a society that mistrusts them, the mutants face another challenge when the White House is attacked by one of their own. This prompts the president to give William Stryker (Brian Cox) — a former military man known for his anti-mutant stance — the go-ahead to eradicate all mutants. These unfortunate developments force Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his X-Men to form an unlikely alliance with Magneto (Ian McKellen), who has just escaped from his plastic prison.
One of the main pleasures in X-2 is the amazingly high caliber of acting. How many times can you see heavyweights such as Stewart, McKellen and Cox sharing screen time? Despite these great thespians’ obvious talent and achievements, none of them has even won an Oscar. But costars Anna Pacquin and Halle Berry have. Add in Tony winner Alan Cumming, who won a Tony for best actor in a musical for Cabaret, and you have quite a pedigree.
All this would have an air of overkill if the actors weren’t in a movie equal to their talents. Fortunately, that’s not an issue here. Like its predecessor, X2 is a well-made film that stays true to its comic-book roots while bringing considerably more to the table.
That extra something is due to director Singer’s expert storytelling abilities. Singer, who before X-Men was known for The Usual Suspects, is particularly strong in that area. Although some of the special effects in X2 are quite impressive, they would not be enough to make the movie worth sitting through. But Singer has fashioned a film with the help of his screenwriters that is as entertaining as it is thought-provoking. It even has a message, one that is particularly salient for these times. But in keeping with the balance of the movie, the message never outstays its welcome. Also, as with the best of comic-book features, there are many wry moments lightening up the whole affair.
X2 is one of those rare action movies that doesn’t make you want to run out to the library to overcompensate. Unless you’re headed for the comic-book section.
X2
PG-13
Opening tomorrow at area theaters
Three reels out of four
Catch Me If You Can
PG-13
Available Tuesday
One of the best movies of 2002, even if it was totally snubbed at Oscar time. It tells the true story of Frank Abagnale, a gifted forger and con man who was the subject of a major FBI manhunt in the early 1960s. Frank (Leonardo DiCaprio) poses as a pilot, doctor, lawyer and other professionals as he leaves a trail of broken hearts and empty wallets in his wake. This displeases FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks), a particularly humorless and persistent individual who won’t stop until Abagnale is behind bars. Featuring unforgettable performances by Hanks and Christopher Walken as Abagnale’s father.
