X2: X-Men United

Another case of the sequel surpassing the original, X2: X-Men United expands the first by not only introducing further amazing mutants, but developing the relationships and emotions of existing ones. Old favorites Wolverine, Storm, Cyclops and Jean Grey return with more depth, while newcomers Nightcrawler and Lady Deathstrike inject a lot more freshness into the proceedings.

After an unknown mutant launches an assassination attempt on the President's life, the Army, lead by the fascistic mutant-hating Stryker launches an attack on Professor Xavier's School for the Gifted, forcing the heroic X Men to join forces with the evil Brotherhood, lead by Magneto and the shape-shifting dangerous beauty Mystique. But the attack is only the beginning, and the fanatical General has mutant-genocide on his mind.

Throw in sub-plots about the adolescent sexual awakenings of the teenage mutants, particularly Rogue and the newcomer Iceman (seen briefly in the first), the knee-jerk right-wing reactions of the American public when faced with something different, this whole experience is not only a must for fans of the comic books (witness brief cameos by series-stalwarts Colossus, Kitty Pryde and Siren) but for anyone with a taste for an adrenalin-charged blockbuster with a little more depth than usual.

An amazing roller-coaster of excitement, action and special effects, X2 is more than a sum of it's parts. Take it as an allegory for any group fighting for equality, or just take it as a non-stop thrill-ride blockbuster, this title is a definite keeper.

Darren Chadwick