bnorthup
05-06-2003, 03:16 PM
X2: X-Men United (PG-13)
At the Circus
*** Three stars
A Marvel-ous story of maligned mutants
By Brent Northup
Misunderstood mutant children are coming out to their boringly predictable parents. The government is cracking down on mutants, forcing them to register. And, in the shadows, lies an evil man orchestrating this anti-mutant bigotry in order to gain control over the world – or, failing that, at least to gain a license to kill mutants.
For no particularly rational or humane reason, I chose to be swept into this Marvel-ous story which has only two loosely distinguishable themes. “X2” seems to promote tolerance towards all, by introducing us to an appealing new persecuted minority and, the story tells a familiar tale of good versus evil, with evil being a humanoid!
Evidently, I’m not alone in liking “X2.” It grossed $86.5 million in North America on opening weekend, the fourth largest opening EVER. It also grossed $69.3 million overseas, for a world total of $154.8 million. For the record the original mutant movie grossed $157.3 in America – for its entire run. So much for sequels being lame imitations of the original that gross less money!
From my seat, “X2” is better than “X-Men,” the first film. This is a case where the filmmakers figured things out rather than just getting bored and rehashing old ideas.
The technical production values of “X2: X-Men United” are high. The creatures have all sorts of clever powers ranging from firing flames from fingers to looking good in a painted-on blue mutant sci-fi spandex outfit. I don’t know why Mystique dressed that rather provocative way, since her secret role is to be a mistress of shape-shifting disguise, but, in retrospect, I really don't care. It works.
The story begins with a mutant attack on the White House. The Secret Service agents have some trouble handling the ghost-like critter who appears and disappears with disturbing ease. Instead of killing the president, the mutant plants a knife near his head with a sixties message that I have now forgotten – something like “mutant power.”
This starts a crackdown on mutants, an evolutionary breed that is infiltrating the country. The story suggests mutants may be more peaceful and more mature than us non-mutants. But there’s a villain who wishes to blame mutants for all evil – as a way of advancing his own power base. The villain, you see, is an adviser to the president on mutant affairs.
Before long we are introduced to Wolverine, who has sword-like fingers; to Cyclops with laser eyes; to Nightcrawler, a teleporter; to Iceman, with an icy touch; to Pyro, a teen-age flame-thrower; to Rogue, with clone-like powers; to Storm, who controls the weather; and to Mystique a shape-shifter, who many a male reviewer has noted does, indeed, have a nice shape.
Other characters include Magneto (Ian McKellen) who joins in the plot to save the mutants from undeserved persecution and extinction.
Now, I’m not sure I have that plot right. But I’m also not sure it matters.
What does matter, is that a bunch of intriguing creatures with comic-book powers are battling an evil scientist – and I enjoyed the fight.
The movie actually reminded me of the James Bond genre, except this variation has some energy and originality. Bond’s fancy cars, equipped with the ability to spray grease on the road, pale compared to a pyro-equipped kid with a lighter who can extinguish a fleet of cop cars in a few seconds.
The cast includes Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Anna Paquin and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, who is, more or less, the captain of this team of intelligent, caring freaks.
As one who seldom warms up to substance-less special effects, I asked myself why I enjoyed “X2.” I guess the honest answer is that there was enough creative genius evident – in the crafting of fun creatures, in the creation of their world – that I just had to nod approval. The story is a comic book tale, true, but those Marvel comics do spin some absorbing stories that have entranced many a bright and bored young child.
In short: “X2” made me proud to be a kid again, for a couple hours…135 minutes, to be exact. I like roller coasters, too, and this was a visual variation of a roller coaster ride.
In some ways comic books suffer the same fate as mutants: despite being intelligent and full of amazing artwork, they are belittled and disregarded. So the film “X2” strikes a blow for Comic Book Power, while telling the engaging story of maligned mutants.
Besides, as a teacher I’ve long suspected some of my students have evolved beyond those of us who teach them. And now I understand why.
END
At the Circus
*** Three stars
A Marvel-ous story of maligned mutants
By Brent Northup
Misunderstood mutant children are coming out to their boringly predictable parents. The government is cracking down on mutants, forcing them to register. And, in the shadows, lies an evil man orchestrating this anti-mutant bigotry in order to gain control over the world – or, failing that, at least to gain a license to kill mutants.
For no particularly rational or humane reason, I chose to be swept into this Marvel-ous story which has only two loosely distinguishable themes. “X2” seems to promote tolerance towards all, by introducing us to an appealing new persecuted minority and, the story tells a familiar tale of good versus evil, with evil being a humanoid!
Evidently, I’m not alone in liking “X2.” It grossed $86.5 million in North America on opening weekend, the fourth largest opening EVER. It also grossed $69.3 million overseas, for a world total of $154.8 million. For the record the original mutant movie grossed $157.3 in America – for its entire run. So much for sequels being lame imitations of the original that gross less money!
From my seat, “X2” is better than “X-Men,” the first film. This is a case where the filmmakers figured things out rather than just getting bored and rehashing old ideas.
The technical production values of “X2: X-Men United” are high. The creatures have all sorts of clever powers ranging from firing flames from fingers to looking good in a painted-on blue mutant sci-fi spandex outfit. I don’t know why Mystique dressed that rather provocative way, since her secret role is to be a mistress of shape-shifting disguise, but, in retrospect, I really don't care. It works.
The story begins with a mutant attack on the White House. The Secret Service agents have some trouble handling the ghost-like critter who appears and disappears with disturbing ease. Instead of killing the president, the mutant plants a knife near his head with a sixties message that I have now forgotten – something like “mutant power.”
This starts a crackdown on mutants, an evolutionary breed that is infiltrating the country. The story suggests mutants may be more peaceful and more mature than us non-mutants. But there’s a villain who wishes to blame mutants for all evil – as a way of advancing his own power base. The villain, you see, is an adviser to the president on mutant affairs.
Before long we are introduced to Wolverine, who has sword-like fingers; to Cyclops with laser eyes; to Nightcrawler, a teleporter; to Iceman, with an icy touch; to Pyro, a teen-age flame-thrower; to Rogue, with clone-like powers; to Storm, who controls the weather; and to Mystique a shape-shifter, who many a male reviewer has noted does, indeed, have a nice shape.
Other characters include Magneto (Ian McKellen) who joins in the plot to save the mutants from undeserved persecution and extinction.
Now, I’m not sure I have that plot right. But I’m also not sure it matters.
What does matter, is that a bunch of intriguing creatures with comic-book powers are battling an evil scientist – and I enjoyed the fight.
The movie actually reminded me of the James Bond genre, except this variation has some energy and originality. Bond’s fancy cars, equipped with the ability to spray grease on the road, pale compared to a pyro-equipped kid with a lighter who can extinguish a fleet of cop cars in a few seconds.
The cast includes Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Anna Paquin and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, who is, more or less, the captain of this team of intelligent, caring freaks.
As one who seldom warms up to substance-less special effects, I asked myself why I enjoyed “X2.” I guess the honest answer is that there was enough creative genius evident – in the crafting of fun creatures, in the creation of their world – that I just had to nod approval. The story is a comic book tale, true, but those Marvel comics do spin some absorbing stories that have entranced many a bright and bored young child.
In short: “X2” made me proud to be a kid again, for a couple hours…135 minutes, to be exact. I like roller coasters, too, and this was a visual variation of a roller coaster ride.
In some ways comic books suffer the same fate as mutants: despite being intelligent and full of amazing artwork, they are belittled and disregarded. So the film “X2” strikes a blow for Comic Book Power, while telling the engaging story of maligned mutants.
Besides, as a teacher I’ve long suspected some of my students have evolved beyond those of us who teach them. And now I understand why.
END