X-Men 2

Given the genre, the slower pace of X-Men 2 is a handicap. More characters, more dialogue, more solving of problems than action. I wouldn’t have minded any of that if it weren’t 133 minutes long and if the dialogue didn’t somewhat fizzle out into nothing. X-Men 2 isn’t as deep as it pretends to be. But it’s just as intelligent and the characters are just as cool as they were in the first X-Men. (23/04/2003)

Brian Singer proves that even a movie based on a comic book can contain some psychological undertones. If you add precise directing, well-chosen cast, lots of ideas and an ingenious action sequence. In addition, they have the advantage that the movie worked even without any of the above, unlike most other popcorn movies recently. At last a picture that proves the rule that a sequel can be considerably better than its forerunner. (03/07/2007)

The singer reaches a climax of relationships and emotions, with characters from the past and present including very attractive deviations from various periods of comics and brings sufficiently Wolverine-like rough action and captivating finale at the dam. In comparison to the first part, certain intimacy has indeed been lost, but thanks to new characters or one inconspicuous transition to the other side of the barricade, Xavier's school once again reaches for perfection. (18/06/2005)

Honestly, one of the best comic-book adaptations I’ve ever seen (together with The Dark Night and Watchmen). Unlike the first part, X2 goes further in almost everything, has a better story and some brilliant and unforgettable scenes (Magneto’s escape from prison), and it’s excellent overall. 9/10 (25/09/2009)

I appreciate how intelligently and innovatively Singer has approached this comic book material, yet X-Men 2 drags at times more than the viewer would expect when surrounded by so many amazing characters with even more amazing mutant abilities. On the one hand, a lot of the chatter is fine (I would carve in stone everything Wolverine says), on the other hand, it weakens the film as an ambitious blockbuster, whose enormous potential is, after all, clearly demonstrated by the director in the last hour. The special effects are better than in the first one, as well as the villain's storyline and the performances, only the psychology, although it gets much more space, doesn't give the impression of being very refined... 80% (23/12/2012)