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X2 review
Nearly everybody that I know has had an endearing love for the X-Men. They each had a favorite character, mine has always been Scott Summers, Cyclops. The reason I’ve loved that character is that he always bore the responsibility of leader… He had to be the man that made the tough decisions, he was the guy that always had to be the statue… the ideal X-man… The various writers of the X-Men always had characters that’s sole reason to exist, to me, was to make Scott’s life harder… Whether it was Warren or Logan or Sebastian or Bishop and on and on. But he had Jean Grey, and boy did Claremont love making Scotty his Abraham. He loved to just rake that poor man’s heart over the coals.
Well, we don’t quite get to all that in this story, and Cyclops is kept tabs on pretty good throughout this film. He’s under lock and key so to speak, but this film is so brilliant with its use of economic character development. Scott’s character is being developed even when he’s off screen. In all the scenes in this film between Logan and Jean, his character is always present, present in the hesitations, the trembles, the look in the eyes and most of all in Jean Grey’s heart. That’s nice. The hug at the museum at the beginning, the way Scott reads her, how he knows something is wrong with her… Only the sort of thing lovers and family see in each other. That instant read. It’s surprising, it comes out of nowhere, his eyes don’t give it away, but his actions do. Marsden actually has the hardest job of all the cast members. He doesn’t have his eyes to communicate with, though most only notice him because of those sparkly ol eyes.
Sorry… I just got back from X2: X-MEN UNITED as all the press materials insist we call it. I’m a bit flabbergasted by the film because I wasn’t prepared for that movie. I didn’t know a lot of the details about what was coming. It has been forever since I read that Stryker storyline and this is quite a bit different, but remarkably uses the devices to begin and unleash other storylines of even greater power and history. But on its own, for me this is a sequel in the tradition of STAR TREK II: WRATH OF KHAN, specifically that film more than any others for me. Yeah, everyone always brings up EMPIRE STRIKES BACK as the great 2nd film… or GODFATHER 2… or TWO TOWERS… BUT there’s a huge difference here.
You see with EMPIRE STRIKES BACK, it was following STAR WARS and in my heart I argue back and forth about which was better. Same with GODFATHER 2 and TWO TOWERS.
HOWEVER, on STAR TREK II: WRATH OF KHAN, it was following STAR TREK: THE MOTIONLESS PICTURE. A film that loitered and put down roots, right through your ass as you sat and watched it all. X-MEN, the first film wasn’t as messed up for me as Robert Wise’s theatrical cut of STAR TREK: THE MOTION PICTURE, but it had its problems. Notably the score, editing, action and an involving storyline… oh and a conclusion that just was a tad on the anti-climatic side. What I loved about both that first STAR TREK and the first X-MEN movies was the character work. I cared about these characters, and they never really completely dropped the ball (well except for that Lightning and Toad thing… whew!) But on STAR TREK II: WRATH OF KHAN… well it is one of the films I can watch anytime the thought passes my mind. I love the film. Absolutely adore it. The music is propulsive, the story dynamics perfect, the action real and brutal, the characters all absolutely note perfect, the risks at hand… the very creation and destruction of planets and life… the sacrifice of friends, the deaths of hated enemies… and it all had weight. Every last bit of the damn thing. It just felt like something amazing had just happened to something I had always loved.
X2… well X2 has its wings. This film… I just want to get back in the theater as soon as humanly possible and just watch it again and again and again and again and again. Not a single sour note, not a hair out of place, not a line that fell flat, not a single eye roll. And the great thing is… it’s just building. It isn’t even the sun and the moon and the stars up above. You know it is headed there. We know that the future is a really unfriendly place, but as I watched this film I could see the affect of well placed confidence. Confidence from the Studio, the filmmakers, the actors… everyone. You could just see that everyone involved is getting it. That they understand they are creating a mythology made real. That they are dealing with characters that wake up, breathe air, fall in love and that die. Characters that panic attacks can affect people for blocks, and who if deluded could destroy life as we know it. This is a film with consequences, questions, answers and choices. A film that rises to each and every challenge and dares to walk through the doors they choose to open, but shows you a great number of other doors that can be opened, and that we hope will be… one day.
John Ottman hasn’t constructed the answer to John Williams’ SUPERMAN score or Danny Elfman’s BATMAN score… But for me… it is on that level with James Horner’s WRATH OF KHAN score… In other words, it is a perfect LARGE score that complements the material on screen to a “T”. I sent Pops out for the score at the start of this review. I want it here now. It is that good. The score in combination with the images had me literally bouncing in my seat like teenagers in a Ford Pinto… that’s right always squirming and prepared to explode on contact.
How are the performances? Across the board? Perfect. An over used word I know, but perfect.
Patrick Stewart – Professor X
Honestly, I’d never seen Professor X as he is used in this film. There’s a reason he’s a leader, and I had never been afraid of Professor X before. In X2, Charlie isn’t quite the friendly patriarch… His entire arc in this story is just not what I expected. At every level of the film. From the confident in control Xavier, to that panicked realization, to … well, like I said, his character and how he’s used in this film makes him the most frightening mutant I’ve ever known.
Hugh Jackman - Wolverine
Ok… I can’t not just geek the hell out about what he does here, but man… This is the dirty nitty gritty Wolverine… he’s never the filthy shit covered sewer grate lit beneath the Hellfire Club Wolvie… but he does go berserker and that was so so so sooooo sweet to see on the big screen. Jackman plays Logan as a man of passions… that lives like there is no significance to tomorrow, because he doesn’t know death or seemingly time. His scenes with every character he comes in contact with are all classics, and like a great character, he is slightly different with each of them. With Bobby Drake, there’s respect. With Jean Grey there’s lust. With Scott there’s a competitor. With Stryker there is curiosity, rage and frustration. With Storm there’s something intangible. With Mystique – there’s all the above, along with a level of CREEPED THE FUCK OUT. Oh… and Deathstrike… I’ll get to that one later. Watching X2 though, last night I watched Ringo Lam’s FULL CONTACT, and I desperately want a stand alone Wolverine film shot all in Asia, on a decent, but lower gritty budget that allows for more risks, and shoot that damn WOLVERINE Yakuza / Yagu Storyline all Ringo Lam style. Ok, but that’s probably just me…
Ian McKellen – Magneto
The man just exists at a complete and totally different level of performance. One, probably the most deliciously written and performed part (with a possible exception I’ll get to) in these films has had to be McKellen’s. What’s great about him is the line he walks. Technically there isn’t one… like Doc Brown, where he goes, he needs no roads. He’s very much Satan, the charmer, the deceiver, the opportunist, the tempter. He wraps himself securely in the robes of righteousness and paths his created road with the blood of good intentions. The relationship between Mystique and Magneto is perfect. The perfect Lt. The strong right hand. This isn’t a case of Oddjob, he doesn’t treat her like a secondary character, but as his best friend… possibly something more. We don’t know, but on the Blackbird, the scene of Mystique and Magneto laughing and pawing, then the cool downshifting to temptation… Just wonderful. You only get the clear picture of just how far he is willing to go when you see the opportunity that he could not pass up. He is a villain on the scale of the very best… personally he’s more delicious than Hopkins, more centered than Claude Rains… In fact… He very much is James Mason from NORTH BY NORTHWEST, and Mystique is very much the Martin Landau… Leonard. I’ll examine that more closely in her paragraph, but that’s the dynamic at work here.
Halle Berry – Storm
Completely redeemed. The accent is no longer an issue. Her conversations with Nightcrawler and … did I sense both empathy and possible romantic interests? The reason behind the ‘scarring’ on his face and body is wondrous, but I’m talking about Storm. They really up the ante on her character here, we get more of a window into her, the hurt she feels from her past, the anger which she still carries. The one aspect that she hasn’t exhibited is her… Goddess persona. I’d love for in the next film, a tastefully shot sequence of her in her garden on the School Grounds… her greenhouse which she’d go to and be one with nature, nude, sensual and the goddess that she is.
Famke Janssen – Jean Grey
I still find it odd that Famke Janssen is Jean Grey. I still can’t believe I have met Jean Grey. And watching what happens with her character, her choices, decisions… what she is having to handle. It is beautiful. I love where her character goes in this film, and yes the Phoenix force becoming known is such a delight, and I can’t wait for that to be expanded upon, I just hope that they do it slowly, the way Claremont did. I don’t want to see her just do the whole Dark Phoenix thing instantly. I WANT THIS SERIES TO TAKE ITS TIME with these arcs. Her talks with Wolverine are classic. The lines about how a girl always flirts with the bad boys, but always go home with the good ones was classic, not just for her delivery, her eyes, that absolutely crushing smile, but also… Goddamn it, because Hugh Jackman played off of it so damn well. And the work with Marsden, so so brief, yet so real. Theirs is not a public display of affection type of love. They are teachers with students. Leaders responsible for missions. Examples for others, their love is for behind closed doors, and that’s exactly how it is played here. They are confident in the passion they have with one another and needn’t display it for the world. It is, however, a true love.
James Marsden – Cyclops
Again, as I said earlier, his character is my favorite X-man. While I do feel that Marsden is still a bit young, and would’ve slain neighbors’ puppies and kitty cats to have had Michael Biehn, I do like the age difference and how that is being played with the ages of Hugh and Famke. Contrary to prior belief he is not just a stoic unfeeling leader of homo superiors, his emotions get twisted here. He does it nicely.
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos – Mystique
Better than she ever was in the comics. At least 10 times the character she had previously been realized in any prior form. She is, all at once one of the sexiest, self-affirmed, competent and sensual characters I’ve seen. There is also that element of loyalty within her. An undying one. A full third to half of her character is how the characters she becomes perform as manipulated by her. I’m not sure exactly how Singer is handling the direction of these scenes, but there was a part of me harboring the suspicion that she was allowed to actually consult the actors that she was allegedly “becoming” on how to act, though I’m sure it was just the work of Bryan… Notice how each of them have an ever so softer feminine feel… or if female there’s a sultry look. HOWEVER, what is great is how she works with Ian McKellen. We’re dealing with a wonderful dynamic that as I said earlier I haven’t seen quite like this since James Mason and Martin Landau. There are allusions that there might be something between Magneto and Mystique, is it all on the righteous side, the teacher / student relationship… or is there more to it than that. Whatever Magneto’s sexuality… Mystique can be.
Brian Cox – General Stryker
Excellent character and performance. He never goes to that twirling of the moustache evil… He’s very much a bitter, driven man that is convinced he is right. The interaction between him and Wolverine and Magneto are the best points. He plays it as though, it’s just something that has to be done. Sure he isn’t flashy, but he doesn’t have to be, the weapon he has… I mean the WEAPONS he has at his disposal are fantastic and logical within the confines of the story.
Alan Cumming – Nightcrawler
An absolute revelation. I’ve always adored the look of Nightcrawler… always liked the dashing cavalier Kurt. Due to a few drawings here and there I just thought of Nightcrawler in my skull as a demonic Errol Flynn. HOWEVER, I was forgetting his gypsy past, his religion, the villagers and torches, the Nightcrawler from the earliest days… The GIANT SIZE X-MEN 1. That period. Well as written in this film, I have to say that Nightcrawler is more captivating than I ever thought in the comic. His attack sequences and combat and rescue… amazing, but more than that… How he lets faith guide him. The charisma he has with Storm… that he has that German accent and says Kurt Vagner… It thrills me, it is more right than I’ve ever been with the character. It is as if I’d never seen the character before. WAIT TILL YOU FIND OUT WHY THOSE SCARS ARE ON HIM! It’s great. The enthusiasm and never cartoony pride in his sideshow life. His fear of trying things with his powers that he’s never done before. Just… well… Just wonderful. The makeup is brilliant, as much as I adore staring at essentially Stamos’ nude smurfette body for the film, Nightcrawler is just fascinating. The fingernails, the teeth, the markings, the tail, the accent. He’s literally amazing to me. He’s the character that give Magneto a run for the movie in terms of performances in my opinion. Just wondrous.
Anna Paquin – Rogue
She doesn’t have much to do in this movie other than be in peril and as someone to calm the others. The best thing about her is the interaction between her and Bobby Drake. If there’s a shaky scene in the film it’s her at the joystick… but then… there’s a reason it’s all shaky. I love her disrobing scene in Bobby's room... sigh... young love, and Bobby... your rule!
Kelly Hu – Deathstrike
YUMMY. Ok, the award for best Asian actress nominee for beating your ass goes to KELLY HU! I can’t remember her having a single line, but Wolverine’s line after she does her nails, more than makes up for it. Her battle with Wolverine is just ouchie ouchie ouchie. I mean, they’re tearing the shit out of each other. Everything about this character works for me though. Essentially she’s doing the Crispin Glover THIN MAN type character here, but less feminine. God I want to rewatch that battle with Wolverine frame by frame.
Aaron Stanford – Pyro
Ah, here’s another actor that George Lucas missed in his casting search for Anakin. As you watch this, you’ll just suddenly come to realize that THIS is Anakin Skywalker. Not only that, you’ll probably recognize that the dynamic between Iceman, Pyro and Rogue isn’t too far off from the archetypes that represent Obi-Wan, Anakin and Padme… but only if the three character were real people with real feelings. I mean, Jesus, you can see something horrible in Pyro’s heart. There’s a ever so obvious look of sadism on his face. He loves turning the full destructive force of his power loose on people. He wants to see their faces burnt, them burn alive. You get that sense from him. He’s also half of the best scene in the film. You’ll know it when you see it.
Shawn Ashmore – Iceman
I love this guy, he is BOBBY DRAKE. His attitude, eyes, shyness. Him icing down Wolvie’s refreshment… suh-weeet! I hope to someday just see him bang loose, ice up and start making those ice ramps, shooting shards of razor sharp ice… but hey, we’ve got plenty of time, he’s still just a kid, he’s still got a ways to go and he’s picked the right girlfriend for those icy blue balls he’s gonna have.
Daniel Cudmore – Colossus
Ok. In the history of superheroes, Colossus had my absolute favorite look. I also loved that he was Russian… of the Soviet Union when he joined. I loved that, because when I was reading that storyline, that was a big deal. The Soviets were the evil bad guys and here was a hero fighting for us. He’s in the movie very briefly, but it is all summed up when he’s leading some children into a secret passage and says to Wolverine, “I can help you.” And Logan says, “Help them!” meaning the kids. The moment felt more right than just about anything I’ve ever seen in a comic book ensemble flick. Now, all I know is this guy is the literal genetic translation of the drawings of Colossus. It is extraordinary… he looks like Piotr Rasputin (although the credits call him PETER… Fuck that, he’s Piotr, and I don’t care if kids don’t know how to pronounce it. Just show em.)
Steve Bacic – Hank McCoy
GEEEEEEEEEK! He’s just on T.V., but just knowing he occupies the universe made me happy.
I’ll stop there with the characters. Suffice to say, as you can see, they had a ton, but this film is a text book master lesson on how to tell the large scale broad canvas comic book movie.
The film is going to melt my nephew’s brain. He’ll be wearing Wolverine claws and tearing through everyone. Like a dinosaur freak he’ll learn all their names and he’ll be a X-men super freak. And I can’t wait to indulge his passion for Superheroes.
The action scenes must be seen to be believed. I’m dying to see this again. I want to freeze frame on Stryker’s computer screens to see if I can notice the names of the other files and see if I notice the Easter Eggs I know must be there. I know somewhere it says Sentinels. I just know it has to be there, and I will find it.
By no means is this a retread of the last film. Here, they open the story up, play by entirely new rules… The only possible complaints I could see having is why do we have to wait for the next one, when do we get Hellfire Club, Sentinels, Apocalypse, Kree-Skrull War, the Avengers cross-over fight. The MAGICK series… And I honestly don’t want Bryan Singer to have a life beyond X-MEN. I want him and Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter and Tom De Santo and Michael Fink and David Hayter and Michael Dougherty and Daniel Harris and Zak Penn and John Ottman and the rest… I want them working non-stop to get me the next chapter ASAP. And I want giant Jack Kirby looking Sentinels! And I want New Mutants with Warlock now please. Keep Bryan and crew on the main X-MEN movies, but begin getting great talent to make solo and team up adventures.
If I can give you only one recommendation, get tickets for consecutive showings… cuz the one thing that is on your mind after seeing the film, is seeing it again. And I’m telling you, when you leave the theater, the next show will be a sell out. And you’ll be outside the theater weeping at not getting to look at Stryker’s screen and read the other files. Catch all the references to all the other cool cameos that are impossible to gather on a single viewing.
Did I mention how utterly badass Ottman’s music and editing was in the Wolverine & Deathstrike battle? Well it is. With the material at their disposal… there are at least 6 more major films without any repeating of themes or coolness. Let us hope it continues to just keep getting better. These are true marvels!
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YIPPEE!
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Oh my why I shot the moon the sky was dark and made me sick oh happy cool. Why why just die die! Maybe that oh makes it good but then you lose the ground is shaking here's some swampland there's still X2, neato completo!
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I can't wait. This was a great review, esp. without too many spoilers. I was a little disappointed that they didn't explain NC's scars in the comic book X2 preview, but I'm glad they'll explain it in the movie. Glad to hear about Storm, too. Yes, a nude garden scene would be perfect. Maybe X3 would get an Oscar?
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So it was better than Daredevil then? Actually, I share Harry's sentiment about KHAN. Color me optimistic.
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"No, but he shoots beams out of his EYES!"
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You stick it to Harry, man! You tell him! Although I do find it odd that Harry refuses to acknowledge the title of the new Spider-Man movie but refers to the X-Men sequel with intelligence-insulting subtitle in tow. Maybe he thinks he can still make a difference as fas as Amazing Spider-Man is concerned, I don't know, but "boycotting" the title of this movie, while pedantic and obsessive, is of a piece with trying to persuade Hollywood to stop underestimating their audience's intelligence.
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Apr 28, 2003 10:21:34 PM CDT
Three Marvel movies, two Matrix movies, and one ROTK - what a gr
by grubstreeter
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im feelin this, ohyea
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God damn you have the most unreadable website on net - get rid of all those humungous Headings and redesign the stylesheets so we can actually read it!
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After the first ten minutes in Canada the movie nove-dived downhill. What the industry really needs is more movie musicals.
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I saw it last week (and it was oh so incredibly awesome)...but I thought I'd throw in the ones I remember seeing...
Let's see, the ones you know about...Siryn is in it and we get to see her use her power...Artie shows up a few time...the computer files Harry was talking about, the only one I caught was Remy LeBeau and I saw Bryan Singer's name flash by actually...but I've heard that Jamie Madrox was on there...and on the computer desktop there are lots of little sub files...one I saw was for Franklin Richards.
Magneto's prison has a notice on it that says "do not tamper with without contacting Stark Enterprises." Jubilee shows up late in the film but no powers.
Those are the ones I can think of...the one bad thing about getting to see a movie early is having to wait until it comes out to see it again. This has been a hard wait. -
Only a couple of days to go
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I lover your rundown of the characters. This movie will be perfect. Move over Reloaded. This will be the best film of the year, even if it doesnt make the most.
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Did Harry like it or not? It's so hard to tell sometimes.
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Nightcrawler was always my favorite character for what I think are the touches of humanity realized in this film. However, the more I think about him, the more the character of Angel continues to grow on me. His personality and motivations are less fully realized than a Beast or Nightcrawler or Wolverine, but his existence just seems so lyrical in terms of coping with the prejudice of being a mutant. He can also be a potentially inspiring character, which is probably less subtle than Singer is willing to go, but he TIES HIS WINGS TO HIS BACK, FOR PETE'S SAKE! Sometimes a little symbolism never hurt anyone. Plus, his whole demeanor is an extension of him trying to deny who he really is. He could really be a great character to watch onscreen. Also, I think that Harry did a fair job of explaining what speaks to him in Cyclops. While I doubt that Lauren Shuler Donner will ever allow him to get the attention that he deserves in these movies (although with the other storyline looming, who knows?), Harry made me totally fall in love with his character again. It's also very apparent that the Red-Headed One is a Claremont man. It's cool that Jubilee is in this film, but I really wouldn't build any expectations for her extended presence. Rogue is essentially the same character that any incarnation of Jubilee has ever been. And a Wolverine spin-off would be cool, and I'm also feeling the whole Lam/Pacific Rim vibe, but it might seem kind of forced to put him in that situation at this point. Then again, there are filmmakers with more talent and creativity than me, so if they can pull it off, more power to them. I'm actually kind of interested to see where Rucka's Wolverine goes. That might make a good solo story (with a few tweaks, of course). So what was the point again? Oh, yeah, characters. Leech! Strong Guy! Warpath! Gambit (maybe)! Bring it! I'd also like to see Proteus in one manner or another. Who do you guys wanna see? How 'bout you, Harry? Come on, roll around in the mud a little, rub elbows with your audience! Oh yeah, as a closing note characteristic of the rest of this rambling post, I too hope that they take their time with the next storyline. Maybe the set-up will build to a crescendo by the end of the next film, with a full-fledged release in X4. However, ending the movie the way they do isn't very indicative of a deliberate pace. They're probably gonna get to this "thing" (trying to be spoiler-free) as soon as possible. As long as Singer and crew are working on the films, I'll have confidence. Fox just needs to throw these guys in a dungeon or something and force them to make X-Men movies for the rest of their lives.
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Haven't heard one negative word about X2 and the Hollywood Reporter loved it saying "its going to give Matrix Reloaded a run for the money..." I can't wait for Friday night! Still can't get over Famke Jansen as Jean Grey, she should've played Moira MacTaggert; Claire Forlani should've been Jean Grey! And yes Harry, Michael Biehn in his prime would've been the perfect Scott Summers!! Anyhoo, I'd love to see Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch in X3- not current continuity but the Ultimate Universe version; a seductive Scarlet Witch tempting Scott. Jude Law as Pietro and Shannon Elizabeth as Wanda? If the Dark Phoenix saga is next howzabout Monica Bellucci as Shi'Ar Empress Lilandra and The Rock as Gladiator!? Finally, the Wolverine solo film titled "Wolverine, Weapon X" starring Hugh Jackman as Logan, Tyler Mane as Victor "Sabretooth" Creed, Ali Larter as Heather Hundson and PAUL GROSS AS JAMES MacDONALD HUDSON-THE VINDICATOR!!
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Apr 28, 2003 11:18:41 PM CDT
Harry, please delete the post from the jackass who stretched the
by ribbons
When will people fucking learn?
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Apr 28, 2003 11:34:28 PM CDT
OT: But Relevent (spoilers for the latests issue of NEW X-Men.)
by rickslamu2
Spoilers are to the current issue of New X-men (NXM) are massive here so you have been WARNED!!! The next story line starts with a death on the X-Men. To find who the victim is keep reading
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Fantastic review Harry! Simply a phenomenal review that squashed any of my tiny insecurities about this film. I totally agree with you on Scott Summers, greatest X-Men character in my opinion, in X3 I'd love for them to introduce Alex Summers/Havok and that would probably enlarge Cyclop's role in that film. Keep up the perfect work!
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Apr 28, 2003 11:56:20 PM CDT
I for one think it's sad that interviewers can't think of a bett
by 007-11
Anyone here actually watch "Femme Fatale"? She was really good, not great, but a lot better than all the other model turned actresses and even some actresses. I must see this movie Friday, then i'll have a week to wind down only to be completely blown out of the water by "The Matrix". WooHoo!!
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I read the whole piece and I don't feel like I read a damn thing worthwhile. Harry, please, somewhere in the middle of all your ramblings about what each single character in the marvel universe meant to you growing up, could you maybe discuss a few things like a REAL REVIEW would? Things like...oh I don't know...PLOT??? (short summary w/o spoilers) How did the special effects measure up compared to the last one? Too much of this site is dedicated to Harry and Mori et al. going "nyah nyah nyah I've seen the movie and you haven't and I'm not telling you anything about it because then I'd lose my imaginary power ...so there! Instead let me use this opportunity to talk at even further length about the only topic I truly have any interest in here...myself!" I'm still crying little tears for Mori and his "Adaptation" review. You know the one where after he saw the movie he had to stop the car and be talked down and consoled by his girlfriend...boo fucking hoo! A solid movie review from supposed "those in the know" and especially from self-professed "film geeks," should at least include points on plot, directing style, pacing, costumes, acting, sets, special effects (if any), any overall messages the movie is trying to make, not to mention any possible place the movie may have in the great cinematic continuum. All of these things are infinitely more interesting to us, your surfers, your bread and butter. NOT how Blade 2 eats pussy (see also Old School review) and DEFINITELY NOT whether or not you have fucking met Famke Jansen. Who gives a fuck?? These latter things only mean anything to you Harry. UNDERSTAND THIS: by and large most of us come to the site for spoilers and other advanced movie news, both of which are in ever-increasing shortage around here to make room for your child-like writings on your endless fascination with yourself. Harry I get the feeling like when you see a football team huddle on the field you wonder to yourself "I wonder if they are talking about me?" Please, Big Guy, I love the site...but how about just a little humility? C' mon just a little?
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Apr 29, 2003 12:01:00 AM CDT
But does it puke on your balls and eat out your girlriend?
by rupert cornelius
They should put that line in all the advertising for this film!
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Apr 29, 2003 12:03:36 AM CDT
Harry was literally bouncing in his seat? A moment of silence,
by darth christ
But it's so relieving to know that someone who's opinion we value got THAT excited over this. I've wanted this movie to be good for a long while. Between this review and Quint's I think we got good times ahead. (Thank GOD we've been spared suck-job "toad" lines!)
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And coming from a black man whose mortal enemies are made out to be "white bread all american types", that's saying something. Summers has always been the leader of the X-Men, regardless of how much Logan is in the spotlight. The evolution animated series even gives him more depth than he gets from the flicks.
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The best X2 review I'm sure I'll ever read and probably the least BS, informative, exciting review I'll ever read period. Thanks. This is why I come here. It's gonna be a bright, bright, sun-shining day!
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You just reminded me to buy my tickets for friday tonight. Great review Harry. But how the hell am I suppose to wait this long???
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This movie is just to freaking great.
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Take note of the expressions on the actor's faces. They sell it 150% and it's amazing. Pyro's eye's during his big scene, Magnito's smile when he has his first big scene all perfect - you're going to be screaming with delight folks.
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so, i'm guessing harry liked the film...i can't tell you how happy i am that this film came out because now we finally got a new animation of harry!
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Apr 29, 2003 1:59:48 AM CDT
"Two Towers" should not be uttered in the same breath as "Empire
by blade
<<<<<Yeah, everyone always brings up EMPIRE STRIKES BACK as the great 2nd film
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What's with the shots taken at AOTC? You raved even HARDER for that film than for X2. Grow some balls and stick to your guns.
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But a fanboy raving. You actually get paid for this???
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Harry you dick, put a freakin' warning on the front of this review!
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to have her pussy eaten by this film. Does she need to shave it first?
And if X:2 kicks you in the balls & eats out your chippy, what will Reloaded do? Cum in your ass & make you breakfast? Pick your nose and rape your blender? -
I saw X2 at a press screening last Sunday. After you see it you (all of you) will be doing 3 things; 1)planning when to see it again 2)telling everyone you meet how much it rocks and 3)deciding which movie to bump off your top ten movie list because you have a new entry!!
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OK, point one - i really liked the first film. I'm not a hardcore comics nut, but I know enough about the x-men et al. to spot a faithful translation, and a bloody good film. Point two - I really want to see this film, it looks like a quality flick. But...what I do NOT want to see subsequently is what Harry is suggesting - endless sequels with hideously complex storylines, offshoots, millions of characters that'll be underdeveloped due to them all fighting for screentime, obscure in jokes and references etc. - essentially geek-pandering. These films work right now because they take the great characters and potential stories, cut the fanboy dross that has built up over decades of comic writers desperately searching for new ideas and angles, and keep it simple and accessible and interesting. A good example of how not to do it would be the x-files in the last few seasons. More actors, more writers, more plot threads, an offshoot series. All of it unmitigated rubbish. The LOTR trilogy works for the very same reason x-men does in it's current form. I wouldn't in a million years want to see a more faithful adaptation of the LOTR books because it'd be the dullest pile of impenetrable drivel on earth. Tom Bombadil arsing about singing rhymes in a wood? Yeah, big box office appeal there. To sum it up, geek is clique - cut the crap to keep it chic. Here's hoping they don't knacker a potentially great series of movies by cramming them to the seams with stuff that'll be irrelevant to 80% of the viewers and seriously put off the mainstream viewer because of it's meaninglessness. Because if they do, the cash stops rolling in and the cameras stop rolling soon after that.
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Apr 29, 2003 7:03:45 AM CDT
There is no possible way I can make it through another two days
by heleno
Someone get me a time machine, and quick damnit.
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Ian McKellen was on TV the other day and said that working with a naked Rebecca (RRS) was wasted on him, being gay 'n' all.
Um ......
We'll do the job Ian. Honestly, it's no bother, really. :-)
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Apr 29, 2003 8:08:32 AM CDT
I can't wait to see this...but who mentions The Two Towers as a
by atticus finch
Seriously, mentioning TTT with Empire Strikes Back or Godfather 2 is ludicrous. I am looking forward to X2 and seeing it put The Shitrix Reloaded to shame, but I want more ROGUE!!!
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doesn't hold up all that well. The last time I attempted to watch it I was bored stiff. X2 has *got* to be better. Just an opinion.
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You think he's sitting at home cursing Bryan Singer, anguishing over a future of comic convention appearances, and throwing his gin glass at the tv whenever Holly Barry comes on? sk
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will a guy who has never read the comic like it?
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Ok, somebody in Talkback asked this and because it's 7:23am and I'm still geeking really really hard on X2, I'll do it. Personally, I'd love to see the next film be the whole HELLFIRE CLUB story. Don't bring Magneto and that story for this next one. And about halfway through the story, as a result of the collateral damage and fights, SENTINELS come in forcing them to having to fight and deal with the mutual enemy, but where the potential for backstabbing amongst your allies of opportunity come in. Personally that's just me. I've always had a deep deep love for the Hellfire Club, the White Queen, Black King... would just kill to see that story line and the Sentinels merged, and NOT RESOLVED by the end of the film. But that's probably just me.
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Apr 29, 2003 8:46:52 AM CDT
I think that X-Men United sounds like the name of a bad early ni
by lobanhaki
...That some idiot exec might dream up, complete with the costumed superheroes doing some pseudo-funky dance moves. (exec- "We can get Will Smith! Promise him he'll be a mutant in the next film!") X2 is nice and sharp and sweet. If you want something longer, then you might look to the source material and come up with something better than X-Men United. As for "The Amazing Spiderman", that is a title rooted in the history of the comic publication. It's a much more logical title for a sequel. Of course, it's too late to save the X-Men sequel's title, but we need not have two blockbusters with lame names.
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Ok, this sounds great. I hope it turns out as good as I hope. I have heard all this before, and have always been let down. (Episode 1 and 2 ring a bell? Harry and the crew seemed to dig that one and we all know what turds they turned out to be.) But this SOUNDS good.......I can only hope that it is. I hear the ending is anti-climatic. (ie, the ending of the first film.) I hope this is not true.
If the film is great, then I want a sequel WITH SUM-BITCHEN SENTINALS IN IT!! I WANT IT TO START OFF WITH A BIG ASS JUGGERNAUT AND I WANT IT TO END WITH BIG MO FO KIRBY, 20 FOOT HIGH, BUNCH OF MUTIE HATING SENTINALS.
And if this DOES pan out and is awesome and makes big greenback.....then I want a damn FANTASTIC FOUR movie done with just as much passion and respect for the source material!!! Get rid of Peyton Reed, give us a damn kick ass script and do it right! Don't screw with classic characters! I want Ben in his trucks and monstrous as hell! I want DOOM wearing a metal plated mask, because it is seared and stuck to his destroyed mug! I want a kirby coffee maker in Reeds study as big as a damn airplane hangar!!
Marvel has had pretty good luck, although I have still to see the perfect marvel film. Even spider-man , to me, didn't do it. It was great, but screwin with the goblins costume, and not allowing an actor, whose face is his best acting tool, not to show it because they chose to cover it with a damn tobbogan helmet.....It just wasn't right. Thank goodness Dock Ock doesn't wear a helmet!!
BRING ON FRIDAY AND LET ME SEE FOR MYSELF!!!
And from what I have seen of Nightcrawler......DDDAAMMMNNNN!!!! LOOKS KILLER. I HOPE THE WHOLE THING IS THAT GREAT! -
Just thought you SW fools would like to know. And LORD OF THE RINGS COMPELS YOU!!!
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Is this kinda like "You really have no idea how shitty this review"? English, anyone??? Bueller?!? Please, for the luvapete, learn how to WRITE, Harry!!!
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That's all I ask.
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I am so glad I am in Germany right now. I get to see this film(in english of course) tomorrow at.....noon your time. HAHAHAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!! HAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!!!! Im going to see it 3 times before you american fools do!!!!!!!! HAHAHAAAA!!!!!!
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I saw it at the Marvel employee screening in NYC last night and people were pretty friggin happy with it. Garth Ennis even liked it. Set your faces to stunned.
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really, William Shatner and Ricardo Montalban chewing the scenery is that much better than many long scenes of the Enterprise flying through space clouds? oh wait now I realize why I like the first ST movie the best, it has more special effects than ST characters.
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I read this on the imdb website in Joss Whedons bio, "Was asked to revise the script for The X-Men movie, and reportedly decided the whole script needed to be totally rewritten, when he handed the studio this draft, they apparently threw it out, they only really wanted him to add a couple jokes here and there." I wonder what his draft must have been like!
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How about a spin off based on the Wolverine/Kitty Pride in Japan comic. Or how about the Savage Land, they could ask Speilberg to lend them unused Jurassic Park footage and save themselves millions. Oh and i was thinking does Dark Phoenix mean the Shiar Imperial Gaurd having an appearance, i fuckin hope so. We Brits see it on Thursday, only 48 hours to go, Snikty Snikt!!!
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I can't believe I haven't seen ONE "Bruce Campbell should have been in X2, so now it will suck balls" argument! I can't wait to go on Friday and have X2 make me puke on my balls!
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Actually it's for those who've seen this AND/OR Daredevil. What about that cool MARVEL logo w/ all the comic book pages flashing by very quickly that they showed before Spider-Man? Did they use this again w/ Daredevil & X2? It got me so pumped up before Spidey. I got the X-Men 1.5 DVD & was bummed to not see it added.
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...if not, in a world of all-star castings, one man should play Gambit, Benicio del-Toro. never happen though. its a great franchise, but i think the x-men universe is too huge and there are too many characters to have just one film every few years or so. i would love to see the Morlock storyline, but it wont happen. here are my ideas for adaptations that would be cool: DEATHs HEAD - anyone could play him, maybe a huge wrestler, and directed by me, or John Woo; XCALIBUR AND THE PHALANX COVENANT - how cool would that be, get Cronenberg and Singer to do a joint effort and make a whole new franchise, or a mini series!!!; finally, Fincher doing the punisher, a heavily stylised neo-Noireish thriller! Marvelous stuff! oh yeah, X2 looks cool anyway.
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...right up there with the best of the secondsess. Oh, can't wait to see this but I'm actually planning to go see Two Towers again this weekend. Maybe I'll check out X2 the following.
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I just read an interview with Patrick Stewart conducted during filming. In it he talks about a scene with 4 sentinels (which from Harry's review doesn't look like it made it in). I would say the Sentinels are probably a shoe in for X3.
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I really can't wait to see X2 friday, with my best friend and our two oldest kids. I am anticipating a LONG run of XMen features. What I would really love to see it a Hellfire Club- Sentinel storyline. Because that conflict, If you remember your comics, is what unleashed the Phoenix force in Jean Grey. A nice slow buildup over a couple of movies to THE DARK PHOENIX saga would be great. And Brian Singer should direct. But more to the point of my subject line. It is becoming more and more apparent to me that Brian Singer should be shanghai'd, and dragged kicking and screaming to the one franchise which I believe needs his magic touch, STAR TREK. Brian is the director that Paramount needs to lavish incredible sums and ridiculous promises to lure into the directors chair to save our beloved TREK. Let's face it. Trek is dying. I never thought I would put those words to paper. But it's true. But Brian Singer could SAVE STAR TREK. Brian is already a self-acknowledged TREKKER, he knows and has demonstrated that he reveres his source material, and He has a marvelous eye for detail. GIVE BRIAN STAR TREK, let him bring together the writers. Give him $120m and let him bring the DEFINATIVE Star Trek to the screen. Geeks unite. Trekkers, man your ears, start a petition, and release the hounds. BRING SINGER INTO THE TREK UNIVERSE!!!!!
ALL GLORY TO THE HYPNOTOAD!!!!! -
Sweeping story, on one side the Hellfire Club who are mutants with everything and on the other Morlocks who have nothing. Angel is intro'd as a dick and helps the Hellfire Club capture Xavier and Cyclops and turn Jean bad. Wolverine, Storm and the Jr Xmen (Colossus, Rigue and Iceman) tangle with the Morlocks in the sewers where Rogue meets Gambit, who Wolvie hates (and Iceman is at odds with). We cut back and forth until Storm challenges for leadership while Wolvie heads back to rescue Scott and Jean. Storm goes butch (give her the mohawk!) and kicks ass. Wolverine crawls in feces and with a redeemed Warren Worthington the 3rd (who they tried to turn into Archangel but it backfired terribly) kick ass but the Hellfire club is too strong. Until Storm shows up like friggen Gandalf with an army of Morlocks. The topper is Jean melting down and going super-evil which paves the way for Sentinels and alien fun.
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I say the same thing about every other character added after her. That means Gambit and Bishop suck too!!!! I don't even want to see a little hint of Gambit in any X-Film.
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Now that you mention it, Chow Yun Fat was a Wolverine-type character in that movie. Its soo awesome to see Chow in such a different role, he's such gritty, mean, badass punk.
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One when everyone first saw AOTC and TPM we all thoguht they were great films so harrys original reviews for them a justified i couldnt wait to see AOTC again and when i did see it on dvd again it sucked ass. And finally what the fuck is goign on with that xmen united title bullshit?
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I've said it before & I'm saying it again. Btw, this movie better rock after this degree of praise or I'm coming to get you Knowles!
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Apr 29, 2003 5:48:02 PM CDT
IF YOU LIVE NEAR THE MEXICAN BORDER YOU CAN WATCH X2 STARTING WE
by gserrano
Just wanted to let you know that if you live near the Mexican Border you can actually watch X2 three days earlier than in the US, because this Thursday is a holyday here in Mexico and the Film's distributors decided to open the movie on Wensday instead of Friday, because of the long weekend.
I hope it helps somebody (excuse the spelling)
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Apr 29, 2003 6:28:53 PM CDT
Yeah, I never thought about that... even if Magneto (movie-Magne
by uncle sam
I wonder who she would become... probably his old friend Charles! Anyway, at the rate of one sequel every three years, I should get to see X-Men 5: The Horsemen of the Apocalypse in 2012! I'm ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that X-Men 3 will be titled "X3: Rise from Ashes", and X4 will probably be "The Tomorrow People", and feature the Sentinels, the full-scale human/mutant war, and perhaps even a final showdown between Eric and Charles! What I would simply LOVE to see is X3 and X4 coming out in the same year, like Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions, the Pheonix Saga in May 2006 leading to the Sentinel war in November! And what if... Gambit became a team member, but he would be in reality an assassin sent by Magneto to infiltrate the X-Men and kill Professor X? He would fall in love with Rogue, and switch sides, just like Ultimate Wolverine! Ah... A geek can dream, can't he? - I WANT YOU, but not in that way.
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What a great talkback, you managed to make fun of and insult Harry and his website, and in such a clever way, nice work. Calling him fat was the best part, fucking hilarious. I would have forgotten he was overweight if you hadn't made that joke. Your sarcasm is priceless keep up the good work.
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Apr 29, 2003 8:10:48 PM CDT
C'mon Harry - wouldn't the Xmen of been better off negotiating p
by retrace
you stupid liberal mass of ass. Wake me up when a cool movie that isn't made for a 14 year old geek who prays to god his zits don't burst puss into his comic book, comes out.
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It does sound like my favorite Soccer team, Manchester United. The thing that sucks is the way the idiots at Fox think the public is. To them a simple title like X2 would confuse the public. X-Men United tells them that this is an X-Men movie. The marketing idiots fucked it up good and proper, but it isnt the offical title. Just a promo one.
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im betting they could have thought about that for another 10 minutes and came up with a better name, but oh well. Harry makes mention of the hellfire club from back when the X-Men comics were classics (claremont/byrne), those are priceless. when wolvie fell through the floor and on the last page when all the baddies thought he was dead, he comes crawling out of the sewer pissed as hell. that was ART!!!
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I got the X1.5 DVD and it kept screwing up and I kept exchanging it and I now have $36 in certififcates to see this movie.
I need John Ottmans score right NOW.
I rented the Usual suspects and watched his talk about scoring films and what he likes to do when scoring, then i knew that he would not dissappoint, I need the damn CD.
MUST SEE X2!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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it never ceases to amaze me. all you losers out there bitch about how these movies are never done right. you get one that is, and you still bitch. do the rest of us a favor, stay in your basements with your comics and sore right hands.
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with the way x3 seems to be heading i hope they cast Emma Frost!!! i would cast charlize theron, who would YOU cast?
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with the way x3 seems to be heading i hope they cast Emma Frost!!! i would cast charlize theron, who would YOU cast?
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and that suuuuuuuucked.
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I do wish that people would stop bashing the score written for the first film. While the music for X2 is bigger and (dare I say) better, the music for the first film flowed just as well and I would say wasn't as noticeable as music in X2. Both Michael Kamen and John Ottman rock!
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Simply put it's about timing. X2 will be the appetizer before the Matrix brings the smorgasboard. simple as that. X2 from EVERY review (other than one that I've seen) say that X2 is bang-on to earn 150 to 250 million this summer. On the other breath, Matria:Re-Loaded will get 200 to 350 million. X2 isn't as anticipated because of the weaker X1, but X2 sounds like a 200% improvement. I'll be in line, that's for sure. And none of you trolls can tell me different. TRY AND CATCH ME, BIIAATTCCHH. ... PS: I amd the SEXIEST tomboy beanpole. BIIAATTCCHH.
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Look, I realize X2 will be good. I want it to be very good, even. Better then Matrix? Maybe. I don't care. What it is, it's going to be easy to bitch the Matrix because everybody thinks it's going to be good, and everybody WANTS them to be good. So now the trendy thing becomes to snear at them. I don't care which is best, I just really want X2 to be amazing, and I'm hoping Matrix will give me the car chase I've been waiting for all my life.
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I haven't seen this film yet but that review was pretty flimsy. You're supposed to be a critic - that's just tripe.
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Apr 30, 2003 9:20:38 AM CDT
STAR WARS EP 2 WAS not only FUCKING GREAT but it was spot on the
by silentbobafett2
I CAN"T FUCKING BELVIE MY EARS!!!! You guys are moaning that there was ROMANCE in EP2?????? I'm guessing you gusy are the ones who have NEVER EVER EVER watched the originals and hate Star Wars, thats fine, I don't love all films. BUT i fyou doing PREQUELS of S.W you MUST have the romance. If not your mising out a mjor part of the universe which means the films wouldn't work!! How do you explain Luke and Leia and Darth Vader with out the romance?> The Third one is gonna be so fucking great and so dark I can hardly wait!!!!! I think you guys are retards cos not only did EPII rock my world but it had an amzing score and it saw SUCH important things in it that it made the origninal three work EVEN more than beofre and thats saying something!!! I mean the romance, Yoda fighting the Lars the whole fucking lot. THINK BEFOR EYOU CUSS SOMETHING!!! Okay you don't like it but don't say its cos of the ormance cos it makes it osund like you have never ever had a romance, don't understand star wars and have no imagination WHATSOEVER!!!!! NOW SORT IT OUT!!!!!! love yah all.......no seriosuly you make me laugh but some of you are dumb as fuck idiots!!!!
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That just doesn';t make any sense! I mean think abou tit. TICK TICK TICK. Done it? BNow doe sit? "HARRY I HATE YOUR WRITING!" "HARRY YOUR FAT" "HARRY YOU DUMB GEEK" "HARRY LEARN TO WRITE" "HARRY YOUR SITE IS SHITE" "HARRY YOUR NEWS IS CRAP!" If you think that then WHY ON FUCKING EARTH do you come here? Go to CHUD or another movie website. Chud is updated more than Harry's, Harry has got somewhat annoying on that level, but thats what happens when you become pseudo-famous. I think we are all jealous because short of becoming movie directors etc ~Harry is the next big thing (minus the ginger hair and the oversized self) but apart from that hes a cool bloke. Now if you don't like him or his site don't waste your fucking life coming on here!!!! HARRY YOU GET MY VOTE!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Not a bad flick, better than the first X Men. Wolverine kicks arse. Cheers.
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I didnt say the romance was bad in AOTC its just that it was ropey and there was WAY WAY WAY too much CGI george lucas should use it wisely in future. P.S. the yoda fight sux ass at then end cause yoda looks so fake and the sound effects a shit.
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Apr 30, 2003 10:23:30 AM CDT
"when do we get Hellfire Club, Sentinels, Apocalypse, Kree-Skrul
by tv casualty
Fuck a bunch of that shit. I want INFERNO! Nice review, Harry. That's the exuberant, happy reviewing I missed, sans all the bullshit you tossed in teh Blade review. A spoiler warning here and there wouldn't have killed you (I didn't know about McCoy), but hey. I'm off work on Friday, and going to the first show at the closest theater I can find in Philly. Then I might go see the second show. Why? Because I'm a great fucking geek and this week I wear that fact like a badge of honor.
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Harry, what the fuck's wrong with you?
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Dude, you are seriously WAY too into Star Wars. If Attack of the Clowns was so freakin' romantic, why was I laughing my ass off every time Anakin looked at Princess Naboo with those moon eyes and whined like a horny teenager. There was more romance in one glance between Han Solo and Leah in Empire tha there was in the entire running time of ATOC. Bro, you have to understand, there's a difference between inspired writing and lazy writing. ATOC was lazy screenwriting. Empire was inspired. I know that MTV and Video Games have turned your brains and taste to mushy poo-poo, but come on, THINK before you POST! Anyhow, on to X2. I'm looking forward to this one. X1 had a lot of promise, but seemed to be over just as it was really kicking into gear. GRanted I hate comic books turned into movies, but there's enough genuine talent involved in the X Men movies that they have transcended the funny papers that spawned them.
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Cpl. Hicks is the man... he should be EVERY leader type in ANY action movie from now until the day he dies. He single handedly made two of the biggest SCI FI franchises in the history of sci fi or franchises and gets NO credit. You think people weren't rooting for that whiny little waitress to get nailed by that big robot until Hicks pulled out a frickin' shot gun and blasted it? Heck no... and the space marines were a load of crap, cept for Hicks, he kicked SERIOUS Alien tail. GIVE MY MAN PROPS AND BIG MOVIE ROLLS!
Oh, and RIP Emma Frost... I'm glad you're dead. I hope the rest of your porno-book characters follow. Fathom, Witchblade, Danger Girls, and anything else done independant need to have more respect for themselves and put on some freaking clothes. Thankyou, and good day. -
as soon as dammit
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Apr 30, 2003 2:42:40 PM CDT
X-Men United isn't the best title I've ever heard but it's light
by blok narpin
Since the next Spider-Man is being called "Amazing Spider-Man" I got to thinking, wouldn't it be cool if Fox titled the third X-Men film "Uncanny X-Men"??? It sure would make this geek happy.
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how does hank mccoy look in it? i mean, is he actually in his blue/hairy form?!?!?!?
and one more thing...this sentence is wacked--"We -
it might work...he's a little old though
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Two paraphrase Mickey from "Scream 2", "Two Towers - not a sequel. Part of a pre-planned trilogy".
I loved it though. -
..just once when I click you or Moris film review I would like to see an actual...REVIEW!! I dont care about how you masturbated to Jean Gray growin up or how you always imagined Nightcrawler as a fairy elf, nor do i care if Famke managed to not wrinkle her nose when you were in her presence. No, oddly enough I would like to hear about the film itself. The pacing. The plot. Its failings. The FX. The direction.***Christ, I have to go to Joblo.com to get a descent damn review anymore and they fucking suck donkey balls.
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Just saw it in an early screening here in Germany and as a decade long X-Men fan I love so much about this movie but also feel a bit disappointed.
First of all Nightcrawler rocks the house (of course, he -
He looks normal! Sorry, but he just has those trademarked little glasses on that almost fall from his nose.
But I have to say that he really looks like the real deal (big head, funny hair) -
This movie delivers in everysingle way. I dont think a better film could have been made. I loved Alan Cumming's portrayal of Nightcrawler. His accent was not too bad either, even when Cumming spoke german. Oh and the movie is pretty brutal. X3:Phoenix Rising will be fucking awesome!!!!!! That should be the title damnit!!!!!! Although Uncanny X-Men would work too. My only complaint about the movie is only that Rogue didn't die. Pyro is great too!!!!! oh Im rambling!!!
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Apr 30, 2003 6:29:13 PM CDT
It misteriously opened in Spain today, so let me tell you...
by malfollado
...don -
The good thing is no one would recognize him as Foggy under the blue fur.
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I'll say this for Harry, if you want in depth, this man has the play by play down. I was excited to see X2 before reading this and no I can barely stand the tension. Harry has a habit of making "popcorn films" seem completely epic, but I suppose in some small way, that is the gift of the true fan. That said, as a true fan, I sympathize with Harry's review as it projects the literal hopes completely fufilled in this essay.
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Apr 30, 2003 7:34:40 PM CDT
Grimloch walked out of The Neverending Story? Way to take a sta
by general idea
I can just picture the scene, a theater packed with families & their kids...when all the sudden from the front row.."FUCK THIS KID'S MOVIE! I DON'T HAVE TO SIT THROUGH THIS SHIT!!! I'M OUTTA HERE!! THAT ROCK GIANT LOOKS LIKE FECES! AND THAT LITTLE RACING SNAIL IS PRANCING AROUND LIKE A LITTLE QUEEN! AND WHAT'S WITH THE FURRY DRAGON THAT LOOKS LIKE A GODDAMNED BEAGLE? Sorry man, but real dragons are intelligent and can talk. Oh, and TTT ruled ass, and hopefully so will X2.
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How dare you say shit like that? You know you'll see this, you big fucking hypocrite. Once you're done fucking your mother while your uncle masturbates, of course. Big fucking cocksucker.
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I want a big fucking Remy "RAGIN' CAJUN" LeBeau storyline consarnit!... P.S. Fucking rules to be in Australia at this point.. I think I'm going to go in about 30 minutes and see X2 FOR THE 3RD TIME.... All you girls out there KNOW that Uncle Hugh ROCKS YOUR BOX. Oh.....
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You is right, mon frere. I hate all the comparisons between two franchises because they always degenerate into these desperate struggles for validation. I'm no huge fan of the new trilogy that Lucas is crafting, but I've recently come to appreciate them more than I have in recent years. SW is more mythological, albeit less complete, than the LotR, and I'd like to defer as many people as possible to Joseph Campbell's "Hero With 1000 Faces." It'll really change the way you look at Star Wars. Really. Anyways, moving away from comparisons, I loved Fellowship of the Ring, thought it was great, but found Towers to be subpar in quality. I admire Peter Jackson immensely for all the work that he's had to do, but I think some of the decisions in Towers were ill-advised. I'll still go see RotK, but right now FotR seems more satisfying than TTT. And yes, the middle blues count. That's the way the trilogy is structured.
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Apr 30, 2003 11:52:21 PM CDT
Harry's Batting average makes the Detroit tigers look like world
by dr. eddie jessup
I too hope this will be a terrific movie (opening up this weekend here in Tokyo too!), but given some of the raves reviews Harry's handed out in the past (Episode I?!? Episode II?!? Dagon?!?!!) I will live in mortal fear until I see it for myself.
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While you'll probably end up being right about The Matrix Trilogy, I find it amusing that it's already considered one of the finest series of movies of all time when there have, to this point, been no sequels.
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he definetly has the facial structure, and he's not too old for the part. i doubt they'll do it, but i wouldn't mind if they did. i'm glad the trailers make nightcrawler out to be the legolas of x-men, just a totally asskicking character that's nothign but cool. plus alan cumming is a badass.
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Seen it twice now and it's a comic book brought to life (complete with usual comic book plot holes). Better than X1 in many ways - particularly action and SFX - but possible a little less 'heart and soul' than the first movie. So ppl not familiar with X-Men comics would probably like it just for the action even though the ending might confuse/let them down a little.
I would have liked to have seen a couple of things handled differently - most particularly they shoud've shot X2 and X3 at the same time and released em ala Matrix or LOTR.
But it's still an A- on my ratings scale - the best sequel since Wrath of Khan in my book. All-time I figure it sits at #2 on my comic/movie all-time list:
1) Spiderman
2) X2
3) X-Men
4) Batman
5) Superman
Daredevil is ranked much further down just above Captain America..
Answers to other questions above:
Hank McCoy is a quick cameo on a TV screen (no he ain't blue & fuzzy)
No they didn't use the MARVEL COMICS comic/logo that launched the Spidey movie. Was straight from the FO*X* fanfare to the voice of Professor X and swirling titles (a lot like X-Men).
The film's title was X2 (none of that rubbish about X-Men United or X-Men 2) on the screen.
Stryker -
i took a shit and dropped 4 logs, it laid out like X X right next to eachother, so i guess ive seen x2 already, since thats about what it will amount too. piss on that comic book special effect crap, and piss on lord of the rings and matrix while im at it. if the studios gave the budgets they give to these jackoff popcorn blockbuster movies to the people that deserve the money, that can actually direct a good movie then id be impressed. the coens, jonze, anderson, and decker need teh budgets thrown at these fucks, or actually i guess they dont, since they make better movies, with a tenth of the cash.
hold on, i gotta piss, open your fucking mouth. -
I know hardly anyone will read or believe this, but I actually X2 isn't that good. Not being a comic book geek I have to say that while the film was definitely better than X-Men it's really nothing special, a typical "more of the same" sequel. Also the film doesn't have the balls Harry says it has. Take "Deadly Berserker Wolverine" for example. He beats some soldiers in the dark, producing a stabbing sound, but don't expect clas penetrating flesh or even blood. And his fight with Deathstrike... lame. Talking about Deathstrike, she's neither hot nor menacing, she's a 2nd class redshirt. Or the effort of making Magneto a real character, while working very wel for most of the film, is totally ruined when he reveals his total clich
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May 01, 2003 2:52:36 AM CDT
Mr.T is Professor T! "Ah pity the fool that come to my school l
by darth christ
Come on, Friday, get here already!
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May 01, 2003 2:53:39 AM CDT
Don't you guys see what Harry is doing? He's just hyping this mo
by kdashf
Am I the only one that sees the pattern of Harry here. First he complains last week that he doesn't understand why he gets no invites to the Cannes Reloaded premiere on May 14th. Then all of a sudden the Wachowskis are cocky arrogant fucks." Frankly at some levels I'm a little on the edge of getting tired of CG kung fu." What the hell has that to do with the Matrix as a whole. If everyone decides to cash in on the Matrix CG or Kung Fu blame the shitty films. Just think about this one second. On a $65 million budget the brothers changed the way films are viewed and brought life back to the aging science fiction market. CG and Kung Fu were used as bait to lure you into the seats while they integrated philosophical and religous themes to try to better the viewers views on life. Now with the budget doubled and free creative freedom to let them compose whatever is in those heads how can they fail. Sure they could have gotten cocky and fucking dropped the ball but thats doubtful. How often were they bragging on TV or in mags about how they changed the movie experience? None they told the press to fuck off and were planning the sequels quitely. Please do not use your personal issues to create conflict with 2 movies who probably have very different themes and target audiences.
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May 01, 2003 3:17:47 AM CDT
"they integrated philosophical and religous themes to try to bet
by dr. eddie jessup
The Matrix? Did we see the same movie?!? Look, it's a load of fun- I've watched it a zillion times myself- but to ascribe any deeper philosophical meaning or genius to that movie is just bent. I mean, come on. I majored in Philosophy oh so many years ago in a program with some of the top academics on Hegel, on Aristotle, and the like. The thought of any of my former professors discussing The Matrix in class and ascribing to it deep philosohical meaning is absolutely laughable. What I see are some stoned jeans-clad grad students running around talking about how this all has to do with "Plato's plane of the forms", and whoa, those Wachowski brothers are some kinda plugged-in, Duuuude. Enjoy the movie- I'm as psyched as anyone about the sequels- but PUHLEEZE don't offer these up as a base for finding "meaning" in it all. That degrades not only some of the greatest thinkers of all time, but yourself as well. *soapbox relinquished*
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May 01, 2003 5:54:01 AM CDT
A message from Spain: WE'VE ALREADY SEEN X2!! Nah-nah-nah-naaahh
by darien fawkes
That's right, the film was released here yesterday. And it KICS-ANY-ASS. Now, here a future scene between movies:
- Hi, we are Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions. Who are you?
- I'm X2. NOW GET ON YOUR KNEES AND DRINK MY URINA.
- Sure, right Sir!!! We're just crap!!! YOU ARE GOD AND WE'RE THE INSECTS!!
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Such a let down, im gutted cause I wanted this to be great I really did but just like the first one theres not enough action and edited far too quickly as to get a kiddie friendly rating. I thought the first was way over rated too so it doesn't surprise me that so far everyone thinks X2 rocks.
But in the words of a certain Ms. Crow "If it makes u happy it can't be that bad" can it? well I kinda thought it was but each to there own eh? -
I live in germany and have seen the movie yesterday. As long time X-Men fan this movie is a dream come true because there is nothing which 'sucks' in it. Good dialogue, good cuts, good actors, good action and the movie go's over 2 hours! The story is also good and just like they put it directly out of an X-Men comic. I mean there are so many characters (especially mutants) in this movie it is a little wonder the movie works so well.
Ok there is no blood when Wolvie strikes but don't forget this is a movie for young people and not adults. Man I wish I could be 12 years old and go seeing that movie... what a feeling that must be!?
If you liked the first X-Movie and after watching it you thought: "Ok, this movie is good, but maybe they could have taken some better actor for XY", then you will be blown away with characterization in this movie! I mean look at the maincharacters of the X-Men, they ARE the X-Men! It's like they have taken the Wizard-Movie-Actor-Wishlist for this movie.
Last word: The movie works on many levels and I think the fans will love it and for nonfans it will be one of the better 'popcorn-flicks'. -
Fucking great film. I loved the first, so it was a given that I would like this, but it TOTALLY surpassed my expectations. I'll see this another few times in the cinema.
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Just caught the film at a daytime screening in good old Brum, England. Was hoping it'd be the sequel of the year; my money's now on one of the other franchises. X2's good, but not THAT good. I give it 6/10.
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i shit again, and saw the X. wow, talk about some advertising. having people shit out logs to be Xs is going overboard though. i had to piss on the X though, since thats about what i think of this comic book cocksmoking flick. go jack off to that shit if ya want, but ya fucks got no taste, well that fat fuck harry never has had any.
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the film is better than you've heard or read about. will all of you like it? hell no name me one film that you could post a talk back about abd have everyone agree it's a great movie, you can't ... no you can't not the godfather not the searchers not star wars, not it's a wonderful life not a god damn single film, someone will always think it sucks. well most of the fan reviews think this is one of the best genre movies of all time, most of the "serious" reviews ,(hollywood reporter, www.screendaily.com variety etc agree, even if they do feel the need to demonstrate their lack of imagination by using words like "nonsense". and for pity's sake if you're gonna criticise a pg13 movie for lacking blood and gore you shouldn't go to a pg13?!? i mean do we need to see that guys dick when he's in the toilet to fully enjoy the scene ? hell no! so we lose most of the blood, (there certainly ), so fox can get their
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Give me the FF crew. When the hell are they going to make this movie? Or better yet how about a new Howard the Duck?
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Hopefully Singer sticks around for third one! Very good job with X2 - all my fears of "just more of the same" dissolved. First one was good and this, this is evolution! X cubed! Some may find the film slow - might seem that way if you only have eyes for fight scenes and action. There is plenty of that, but lots of character interaction between those set-pieces. X2 is all about character, emotion, relationships...the way X-men film should be: superhero soap-opera. That's what Claremont's stories were, after all. If you didn't gather already, I liked the film a lot.
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I'm sorry...but X-men have and always be my fav movie/comic book.Its poeple like you bunch who ruin it all.Get over it Harry is right..KICK ASS X-MEN!!!
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Look, I grew up a Marvel kid. But the new slew of Marvel movies are really quite bad. I can't believe you gys at AICN buy into this crap. With such an abundance of fantastic source material Singer has no excuse for trying to conform a classic comic into pop-culture standards of the moment.
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May 01, 2003 5:48:30 PM CDT
It;s a great movie... UNTIL THE FUCKING FINAL SHOT WHICH COMPLET
by charlie & tex
How have we seen it, you may ask? Simple - we live in the UK and it opened today (Thursday)!
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don't worry cos its x-cellent (ha ha). def the best comic book movie to date and took the shitty taste left by Daredevil clean away! Roll on X3, only more Colossus and Pyro next time (everyone I went with agreed they needed more screen time). Good job by all especially Singer. Loads there for geeks to geek out on (check out Colossus sketching and the files on Strykers computer).
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nice Movie but the ending was so Wrath of Khan!!!
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that this movie will be a hit. And I plan to see it. I have only one fan wish and that is to see the Beast and Angel in the next. It would be great to see the original team have a little action.
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May 02, 2003 12:35:18 AM CDT
Xmen 2 was possibly the greatest film i've ever seen. magneto ru
by jawbox
i love star wars me, this was at least as good. people have said how much NIGHTCRAWLER ruled the film, and he ruled for sure. BUT! MAGNETO was the star of this one. ok..... you know how at the end of THE MATRIX when neo realises hes THE ONE? and you get that chill down your spine, a "geekgasm" if you will? theres about 10 or more of those moments in X2... Nightcrawlers break-in to the whitehouse... Colossus turning to metal... Wolverines leap from the balcony in the night time raid on the school... every time Storms eyes go white and she uses her powers... when Pyro devastates the police cars... when Nightcrawler rescues Rogue... when Jean Grey fights back Cyclops blast, when she fights back the water, any time her eyes went red!... when they all appear in front of the president... when you see the shadow under the water.... mostly, when ian mckellan is on screen - the breakout of the plastic cell - the "fixing" of cerebro2 - the catching of the x-jet - the conversation between him and pyro with the lighter... mostly the breakout of the cell though... the disc, the floating on the disc, the all fucking power he has.... SU-FUCKING-PREME!
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It's good. Really good. Easily my favorite superhero movie so far. I don't want to get anyones expectations up, but in my opinion, it's a great flick. The end was a "nod" to another great Sci-Fi sequel, not a "rip-off". They did it to show a little props. *********SEMI-SPOILER************ When you see it again, watch the water during the end disolve to get a cool little fanboy chill up your spine.
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that it made me all tingly .... you know.... down there. . .in my girlie parts. The BAMFS were perfect, but I actually thought the music was a bit much. Don't know why everyone hated the music from the first one. On a side note - I'm not gay, but Famke looked mighty hot throughout. I'm not gonna lie, I'd do her. And cheers to finally having a Harry animation that does not scare me!
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I am not going to re-hash his opinion, just read this as 100% complete agreement. Even with all of the hype, this still struck me with the same impact as an under the radar sleeper hit. The claims that Harry is a turn coat for challenging the Matrix in it's quality, well, I was a skeptic too... But I have to honestly tell you... X-2 has, forgive the pun, evolved so strongly from the first, they are truly like night and day. That, in part, is why the film is great, because we are expecting the traditional stagnant quality hike from movie to sequal. This boys and girls, did what I TRULY hope Reloaded is going to do, but can't fathom how great of a film it will be if it does.
I would love to go into the film, but know the rules... I will however call out the Silence of the Lambs hommage. Anyone else catch it?
Oh, and favorite action sequence is by far the school... but it was a hard choice between that, the intro, and the "visit home".
Single greatest shot in the movie that ties itself to the feel with comic books... lets just say it's the classic "Hero shot". -
Best superhero movie ever made, no question about that. The Nightcrawler sequences blew me away and seeing Wolvie fuck those dudes up and actually kill them was just shocking. AWESOME, worth seeing at least 3 or more times.
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This movie is fantastic. It's PACKED! You'll leave wondering how they fit all of that into one movie. I avoided all of the spoilers and I'm so glad I did. I let this movie take me on the ride and it was... there's no word for how I'm feeling... except tired. Saw the midnight show, and I'm not young anymore. Tired and happy. Very happy.
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Hey Harry, I'm regular reader, ok I say regular, what I mean to say is daily reader of your website, which is pretty much the movie bible as far as I'm concerned. I havent actually submitted anything before now but after having seen X2 as it is known as here I thought I would.
After reading the somewhat rave reviews from Quint, Moriarty and then your good self I was expecting something just short of a religious experience!!. I have to say I was disappointed, did I watch the same movie as you guys?
It could have been an awesome film, as it was, it was merely very good, which is no bad thing,
Apart from anything else the movie had some plotholes you could fly the X-Jet through! For one thing, are you really trying to tell me that a serious bit of kit, like the X-Jet wouldnt have any weapons?? Good job Halle Berry was on-board to actually do something in this movie...other than pout and bond with Nightcrawler of course. While I'm on the subject, just what exactly were Magneto and Mystique doing in the just the right place at just the right time?? come to think of it what were they doing there at all. Magneto said himself that they had no idea where Strykers base was....so they just happened to be there??? good job really cos it would have been a pretty short film if all the X-Men had died there and then.
Some of the special efffects were a little ropey as well. One shot that springs to mind is when Wolverine is stood outside Bobbys parents house and you can easily see that the claws are plastic. Some of the matte shots too could have done with being cleaned up, and looked a little false. That said some of the effects were jaw droppingly good, the finale with Jean and Nightcrawlers teleportation spring to mind...some great work.
Now on to the character development. I think its a case of too many characters and not enough development and some of the actors have very little to do. Cyclops, Rogue, Iceman, Storm all underused and for that matter I would have liked to have seen a lot more of Xavier. That said I loved what they did with Jean Grey she kicked ass!! bring on the phoenix!!!! so too did Wolverine, a lot more animalistic and brutal, closer to the Wolverine we know and love. Mystique was a revelation and Magneto, well goes without saying, Ian McKellen has so nailed that part. Alan Cumming was good as Nightcrawler but nothing special.
Some interesting plot developments, some standalone scenes...Magnetos breakout....pure genius!!!! ... some great special effects, and most of the actors doing a great job.
All in all great eye candy, and a fun movie, but by no means the awesome blockbuster that we've been led to believe. Matrix reloaded on the other hand...now thats gonna blow everyone out of the water. -
It might be. Here's a movie about a bunch of weirdos in leather who have stupid names, but tackles serious issues like racism, imperialism, terrorism, God, ethics, etc. "X2" might lack the kung fu of "Matrix," the gosh-darned, apple-cheeked sentiment of "Superman," the stark visions of "Batman" and "Daredevil" and the polished drama of "Road to Perdition," but dammit if it isn't, pound for pound, the best comic book movie I've ever seen. The moral ambiguity of it all is what's most fascinating to me. We cheer for Wolverine, but there he is slashing American soldiers to death. We hate Stryker, but he's just trying to protect humanity from what he and others see as its greatest threat. This will be dismissed by many as just a dumb comic book movie, but there's so much going on in "X2," so much beneath the action-packed surface, that it cannot be dismissed. Bryan Singer proves with "X2" that he is a great filmmaker, that "Usual Suspects" was no fluke. He balances this gigantic movie with way too many characters and subplots, and it all makes sense. And he manages to get great performances from everyone (okay, maybe not James Marsden), particularly Ian McKellen (of course), Alan Cumming and Brian Cox. In the first flick, we couldn't wait to see Wolverine again; in this one, we don't need him. Every last character is intriguing (Halle Berry's Storm is at last allowed to speak) and Singer gives us all scene after scene of great, comic book moments brought to life with expert craftsmanship. In a year that will be filled with sequels, adaptations, and big budget blockbusters, "X2" is going to be hard to top.
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Okay, so I went to the Midnight show - of course! Truly mindblowing kids! They took it up a notch and never looked back. Take notice of the reflection in the water on the very last shot of the movie. Oh Yeah - X3 is a shoe-in!
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HOLY MOTHER OF GOD THAT WAS AMAZING I CANT SAY ANYTHING ELSE IT WAS PERFECT PERFECT PERFECT. PLEASE MAKE X3 AND X4 AT THE SAME TIME
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Just walked out of a midnight showing of X2. My God, they've done it. They have not only succeeded in making one of the finest comic book films in history, they've also made one of the greatest sequels to hit the big screen in a LONG time. This movie is that damn good. There were so many money shots in this thing that I don't even know where to begin. Nightcrawler, Mystique, Wolverine vs. Lady Deathstrike, what Magneto does to dispose of those soldiers guarding Cerebro, Logan's first kill.... Good Lord, too much to handle. Oh, and the final shot of the movie almost made me piss myself. I'm a happy geek!
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Well, I did. It was good. It comprehensively kicked the arse of the first one, which I thought was shit, to be honest. I wouldn't object to seeing X2 again, and that's okay. I'm not a big follower of the comic books at all, but I didn't feel excluded or that the story was opaque to me, though there were obviously bits that had been put in for the fans especially. One thing I don't understand though (SPOILER!!!) How did Stryker knwo Nightcrawler? And how did Nightcrawler know about the Alkali Lakes base? (END SPOILER!!!) But I have to say, good as it was, "The Matrix Reloaded" trailer that was on before it did kind of dull X2's impact a little. Holy shit, was that a trailer or what? I felt like someone had just taken a jackhammer to the back of my skull. Oh, and a note to any of the scary uber-geeks that might have attended the 6pm showing in Guildford last night - bathe more. And also, washing your hair is not an optional thing you only do for weddings and Christmas. And finally, if you can't grow facial hair - DON'T TRY!
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This was taken from the imdb.com user reviews...."Famkke Jansen is TOO OLD and UNAPPEALING as Jean Grey".
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A couple of the questions you had about Nightcrawler and Stryker were dealt with in the Nightcrawler movie preview (it's a comic book that was on sale maybe a month ago.) I nearly missed that sucker and it may be hard to come by. After I've seen the movie today, I'll be able to post a more specific answer without fear of spoiling anything. Actually, I'm surprised there'd be anything in the movie that you could only understand by buying a preview comic.
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I thought it was kinda given that he had used his son in various devious ways to put this plan in action. Plus he was a scientist with military backing. So he tracked Nightcrawler down and had his way mind-controlling way with him. I guess. It was only later when prof X had trouble tracking Kurt down cuz he was teleporting like crazy all over the place, scared as he was.
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Blackbird...well, it's not really blackbird is it, but the jet might very well have weapons for all we know. It was only a question. "Doesn't this thing have any weapons?" and then they cut to Storm. You don't need to carry weapons when you are one. And I don't think Xavier would have liked it too much if his students would have shot down US fighter planes.
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is it someone important?
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It's the beginning of the most important storyline in X-men universe ever.
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so who is it? or do you just dont know?
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Are you sure you wanna know. Her story is not for the faint at heart...ever noticed how Jean Grey didn't have a codename in these films. It's not an oversight. It's a set-up. Do a google of Phoenix or even Dark Phoenix saga and you can spend a day spoiling yourself rotten. Or better yet, go to the local comic store and get some Wein/Cockrum or Claremont/Byrne era TPB's and read a tragic story about the love of power and power of love and all that. Try especially to find Uncanny X-men issues 129 - 137. Go. Now. Go go go!
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hmmmm x-men 3 could get pretty interesting then...
and heres me thinking she was just killed off.... -
Thanks for the heads up - like I say, I don't really follow the comics (can't afford all the movies and stuff I want before I get involved in all that) but still, it was just a little niggle. The movie was still cool.
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Thanks for the heads up - like I say, I don't really follow the comics (can't afford all the movies and stuff I want before I get involved in all that) but still, it was just a little niggle. The movie was still cool.
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I`ve checked the disc a few times and I still can`t see-WHAT`S IN THE WATER AT THE END?!
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I saw it last night and I can't wait to see it again!!!!
KICKED ASS!!!!! -
Watch X-Men: Evolution today (Friday 5/2) on the WB at 3:30 ET. It features the classic X-Men line-up.
There will be 13 new episode this fall. Apocalypse is coming. -
Ok, those without the comic knowledge - listen carefully - (Spoiler) - In the water at the end is the outline of the Phoenix. The Phoenix is a mythological bird of fire, but the writers of the original comic storyline invoke Jean with the powers of this god-like creature when she dies saving the X-Men in space. (The event also surrounded the Blackbird, but the scenario was different.) Here, in the movie, she also dies saving the team but, as fanboys know, she doesn't really die. Her brief monolouge at the end speaks more to her "jump" in evolution even beyond mutants as we currently understand them. The blurred outline you see is a firey, winged creature that is the Phoenix. And look out - because now she's omnipotnet AND schizophrenic. Just the right formula to add complete anarchy to the budding story thread. So, there is your big chunk answer to, "What the fuck was that?" Peace!
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I saw it today and it was great, of course. One thing I thought worth complimenting here was the COOL way Magneto escapes prison. We all knew it was a done deal he would do so though I feared it would be something imbecilic like "Oh gee I'm the new security guard and I forgot a penny in my pocket silly me." No, his escape is inspired, and sinister, and just plain brilliant, because indeed, nobody would've seen it coming. Just about every part of the film was perfect though that's one aspect of the film I thought I'd compliment here, sans spoilers. You'll know what I mean when you see it.
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Still have goosebumps. Very cool. Lots of incredible moments for us fanboys, without running the risk of confusing those who haven't followed the stories over the years.
I loved the Nightcrawler/Mystique bit especially.
And yeah, it did have that Marvel bit from Spiderman as the movie started. -
a huge storyline between Nightcrawler and any girl lucky enough to be with him. He is so hot.... In a movie full of hotties. The green skin, the scars... oh man. Probably only a girl will understand, but he was incredible!
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After seeing the movie, I did notice on the computer screen portion of the movie for listed mutants the name of Remy Lebreau (aka Gambit). At least they have positioned themselves to perhaps introdice his charachter in future installments.
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First I Hvae to say Awsome Movie!!!!!!! Amazing!!! Next Remy Lebeau (Gambit) was one of the names on strykers computer.
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at first i thought you might be setting my expectations a little high when i first read this but after seeing the movie last nite...well let's just say it surpassed my high expectations! you made me want to see X2 the second i was done reading...you captured it all in a great review
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and disliked it immensely. I found myself rooting for the bad guys most of the movie, and wishing at almost every turn that a bunch of X-Men would die. Of course, one knows this won't happen (perhaps the individual martyr, but no more).
I think the fundamental problem that I had with the flick was that it took a complicated moral question (how should the government deal with a world with such hyper-powerful individuals?) and made it black-and-white by making the X-Men little angles and those who opposed them unnecessarily and irrationally evil. It also glossed over anything the X-Men did that was wrong (how many cops and soldiers died at their hands over the course of the movie? A LOT!. To keep it PG13, many of them didn't appear to die on screen, but common sense tells you that many of them did in the end). I kept on thinking that all of this was unnecessary. If everyone would just sit down and talk then this mass murder wouldn't need to have had happened - and the goody-goody X-Men were as much or more at fault for this communication breakdown as anyone else.
I also had many issues with internal consistency. Now, granted, we are dealing with a world that makes no scientific sense at all - but it should at least be consistent with itself. But it rarely was. Character's powers seemed to vary from moment to moment in magnitude, or were used in ways that made no sense as to why they would work, or on the other hand, were not used when they could have been.
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Saw the movie today (3/05/2003) and I absolutley loved it.
Too me,it was the ultimate comic book movie I have ever seen.
Bryan Singer is the KING!
I do have to admit that I have one gripe with the movie (Only one,I assure you).
See,I've been a wolvie fan for a long time and to me,the thing that made him "the best there is at what he does" wasn't the fact that his
skelton was laced with admantium
or even that he possessed those
freaking kick ass claws and the
healing abilities but to the simple fact that he was already one of the most deadliest guys on the planet
due to his martial arts training.
I mean, he is a master in virtually
every single fighting form on the
planet. That alone, should have made him a foe to be reckoned with.
Granted, the mutant abilities helped, but when you look at wolvie
from a psychological point of view,
WOULD HE STILL BE SAME WITHOUT HIS MUTANT ABILITES.WOULD HE STILL BE ONE OF THE MOST PROFICIENT FIGHTERS ON THE PLANET?
In my opinion,HELL YEA!.
His training sets him apart.
Now in the movie,you didnt see that.
Yes, wolverine is a force of nature
but does he have to fight like one.
Where was the elegance,the fluidity, the gracefull movements
of true martial artist (and guys I
have seen in the comics, so why
couldnt they show that in the movie).
He could have kicked Mystique ass
in two shakes of New York second in the first movie without the claws and thats going same for Lady
Deathstrike in the second film.
If those characters can do Jackie Chan moves,then why can't Logan.
I wanted his fight scenes to be more reminiscent of the scene in
the first Matrix film when Neo battles Morpheus in the training dojo.
I wanted to see the art and not
just the raw power. I wanted the
experienced fighter,not the rampaging bull through the
proverbial "china shop".
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I'm not even going to go into detail just see the movie. I saw the trailers and knew nothing else and was damn glad. 2 Main differences from the first movie: lots of humans die and the mutants are STRONG. They don't have that tentativeness from the first movie, these guys are confidant in their abilities and the action is brutal. That final shot is going to slay you. Harry is right, the moment it was over my girlfriend and I both were itching to see it again. "Reloaded" is going to have to be phenomenal to beat "X2".
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I don't know why Fox gives movies weird subtitles that are never listed as titles. (This "X-Men United" thing is a lot like "The X-Files: Fight the Future" another non-title) When the title comes up it simply says "X2".
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Great movie, in many ways better than the original - one of the few sequels that exceed the original ( Godfather 2, Bride of Frankenstein, Wrath of Khan).
But I didn't see a "X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby" credit anywhere!
What gives? -
Damn, that was a great movie. I'd give X-Men an 7-8, but this one was a solid 9.
I can't friggin' believe they are going with the Phoenix storyline in a future movie. I will f**king SPOOGE in my pants if they have her kill a planet of asparagus people like they did in the comics!
The movie kicked ass...it was much more than I thought it would be and I am a tough critic. Bryan Singer is incredible, and Hugh Jackman is still an incredible Wolverine. Even wimply Halle Berry was tolerable this time.
I think Stryker's son was based on the Proteus character from X-Men 128 (and the surrounding issues). Maybe he will be back in X3 and fight Phoenix?
Damn, what a great friggin' film.
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I'm fairly sure Stryker's son is Mastermind, not Proteus as someone suggested. Consider the facts:
(1) Mastermind has illusion powers. So does Stryker's son.
(2) Mastermind's real name is Jason. Stryker's son is named Jason.
(3) Stryker's son has a scar on his head that looks exactly like the one Mastermind has. -
yeah, i just saw X2 last night, and the one thing that caught my eye during the scene with stryker's computer was the name diractly above magneto's (Erik Lehnsherr) on his list of mutants- Remy LeBeau. That'd be Gambit for the rest of you. I'd at least like to see the character on film, and it was nice to know he exists in the universe.
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Hey, leave Harry (hog boy, as his friends call him) alone. Just because some peeple are morbidly obese and strange looking does not make calling him names right, does it?
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My goodness! i thought i was going to this movie to see some well-balanced, good special FX
x-men movie. Instead, i went to watch a soap episode from Smallville. BTW superboy on WB is way better than this boring movie. Borrrrrrrrrrrring dialogue! Boring scene-to-scene! Poor plot! The only SH*T-all-it-about is to protect the president and the theme mutants co-exist with humans. GET a better PLOT!!! I WANT MY MONEY BACKKKKKKKKKKK! =*(
-Nick -
May 04, 2003 1:09:49 AM CDT
x-men2 outstanding, more cyclops and colossus for the third! wou
by mogo
I don't typically agree with everything harry knoles says, phantom menace was a much better film than the clone wars and thats the reason harry it had more gross sales!. But harrys x-men review is perfect a nd right in every way, more cyclos (my favorite character too!) and colossus and giant huge robotic sentinels would rock in a third filml. Forget human size sentinels, if you think thats cool youre not an x-men fan and have zero imagination sentinals are massive scarey huge killing machines . p.s. apocalypse would be the best villain at some point.
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Man, what is with these retarded embryotic little pissants? Harry, I thought your review was excellent, as per usual, and people who attack you and use the word 'sucks' in their posts suffer from, not only a intellectual deficiency bordering on real mental retardation, but lack of what we here in Humanville like to refer to as a 'Life'. Keep up the good work, Harry!
Oh, and kids? Save your vitriol for your mothers when they won't drive you to the mall.
Peace,
J.
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Mutant 143, aka "Jason" I believe is an old villain from X-men comics called Mastermind!. Took me a while to figure this out, but i went thru some old X-Men collector's cards and found him under villains.
It said on the back of the card his real name: Jason!! and his super power is creating vivid Illusions. Aha!!
So with the real name and super power being the same, I am guessing that Stryker's son "Jason" is the movie's version of Mastermind. Mastermind was in a bunch of comics, and i remember him from them, but did not put it all together. -
OK so he isnt in the movie persay, but if you go see the movie again, look closely at the X-ray pictures on the wall of the room where Wolverine was experimented on(right before he fights Deathstrike).
Top right x-ray picture has an arm with odd looking metal sprouting down from his arms, like bones of a birds' wing. I believe this is surely a little foresight into Arch-Angel, a little eye-candy for fans. Who else could that be!
Had to be put there for a reason. -
ogemaniac: you have a good point, but the whole superhuman vs human ordeal is a WAR! Now, in the movie they havennt explained much of it, but believ me, there is retrabution that does occure. understand that in the the comic book, mutants have been oppressed and discriminated against for years before "xmen". What your seeing is a very specialized group (the most powerful) gathering together. This also explains why you see so many "mutants" in the movie. Altho they show 10,000,000 mutants in the movie, only about 10% KNOW they are mutants, and about 1% of those have seriously dangerous powers. (think back on the scene at the school. How many mutants where there?)....Anyways, The best suggestion to all those who didnt agree to harry's take on the film would be to read xmen 1 to 100 and try to imagine the world without ANY comics at that time. You'll relize that harry was right on the fucking money with his reveiw....Cos when i first read his reveiw i was like "this dude is totally full of shit"..now that i saw the movie, i understand where hes coming from and its 100% right on. oddly, the more i read his reviews AFTER seeing the movie, the more deadon he was!
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oops. let's try that again. My question is, after pyro torches the police at bobby's house, is it Rogue or Iceman that puts out the fires? Just wondering if Rogue is going to retain some of the powers of the folks she touches, like in the comics, that could be interesting.
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Damn I love that line! Saw the film on Thursday night and it blew me away! I couldn't stop smiling after I came out the cinema. Nightcrawler kicks so much arse, his first scene is just amazing. The lame "X-men United" title isn't being used at all in the UK except on merchandising. My only complaint is that there wasn't enough Cyclops, he's the team leader for God's sake! Give him something important to do in the next film! If there's an X3 (please God let there be an X3) I want to see more Cyclops, Iceman, Colossus, Pyro and Nightcrawler, the introduction of Beast, Gambit or Angel as members of the team and Sentinels. I'm definetly going to see this film again as soon as possible there's just so many great touches in there (Bobby chilling Wolverine's drink with his breath, Genius!) that make it such a great film!
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Say hello to the next big internet celebrity. http://www.waxy.org/archive/2003/04/29/star_war.shtml Who will stand before his might?
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Sorry, but I think Aint It Cool News has painted itself into a corner over this by smashing Kamen so often. I think his X-Men music, while nowhere near as good as I wanted it to be, was better than Ottoman's. I am not one of those people that thinks you shouldn't notice the score. You noticed the music of Star Wars, of Lawrence of Arabia, of Star Trek, of Lord of the Rings and none of those scores were bad for it. And while Kamen's score wasn't perfect, Ottoman didn't improve on it. He delivered an epic feel? Uh, so did Kamen with his X-jet theme. He also gave the characters motifs that I preferred to Ottoman's choice to have none. I missed hearing Kamen's Magneto and Mystique themes when they were on screen. I've only seen X2 once, but so did the people who are already claiming it's music is better, and I think they're just sticking to their anti-Kamen schtick. John "I scored Bubble Boy and directed Urban Legends 2" Ottoman just had the good fortune to be scoring a stronger film, but he did not deliver the score everyone kept claiming he would. It's almost as big a disappointment as Danny Elfman's Spider-Man score(which also had more memorable cues than X2).
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First, I LOVED the movie. It was everything I'd hoped it could be and then some. I do have a couple of questions though: SPOILER ALERT!!!!
1) Ok, when Mystique immitates Jean and comes into Wolverine's tent, why can't he smell that it's not Jean? You'll recall in the first movie Wolverine could smell Mystique even when she was disguised as a statue.
2)When Rogue touches Pyro to stop him and put out the fires he's created, why doesn't he appear to be affected by it? She touches his leg long enough to knock him out (based on the first movie) but he just stares at her.
Mainly just curious. Overall the movie blew my mind. Oh, and I can't wait for X3 just on the possibility that we'll get to see Wolverine and Colossus do a fastball special! -
Hi I noticed while skimming through this TB that Beast had a brief cameo in X2, which part is this again? I'm a casual X-men fan (knew all the characters and for the most part their powers) but I didn't know Beast's real name "Hank Mccoy" or something.
When did he pop up? Thanks. -
Hank McCoy appeared in the scene with Mystique (Grace) in the bar with the guard. He is on the TV.
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Saw X2. It was fantastic. Here's what I'd like to see on X3...Brian are you reading this...Danger Room! Yes, that's right, I said Danger Room! It's a no brainer. It's the perfect way to highlight a past storyline and give more depth to the team and at the same time kick audiences right in the face as they discover (what they just saw) was just a training session. Brian, you have to be careful not to make it reminiscent of Star Trek's holo deck (especially with Patrick on board). We don't want to see the room become 4 walls in the end. It's a daunting task but I am confident that you will be able to pull it off. There is alot of potential here and I think the general audience is ready for it. Seeing a Danger sequence should be done right at the beginning of the film, touching on illusion which of course would be the perfect foreshadowing of what's to come later on when the Hellfire Club is introduced. Yes, the Hellfire Club! The X-men is all about character! Brian's ability to bring a character based story to the screen is well known from his past work in Usual Suspects and I think bringing in the Sentinels in at this time would be a mistake and a cop-out. This franchise should build up to the Sentinels, perhaps in X4 with a budget of 200 million, but not right now. In X3 I see 135-150 million budget with the Dark Phoenix / Hellfire Club storyline and in the last few minutes highlight the fact that the Sentinels are being made and there going to kick some Mutie butt in the following movie. I want to see a cliffhanger...a definite, they have to make a fourth movie to see what happens, (I would recommend to film X3 & X4 at the same time but I can't wait 4 years to see another X film). And about the Danger Room...does anybody have any suggestions on the Danger sequence? Nuff said!
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Great movie,but getting tired of matrix style action scenes.Every trailer we got had them too,Pirates of the C aribbean,Charlies ANgels,LXG ,Matrix Reloaded.Thank god Singer is character driven.Otherwise,every other movie looks the same this summer.
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When Stryker first enters the underground levels of the Xavier Mansion, you can see a door in front of him, that has the word "DANGER" in silver letter on an 'X' door.
For those who didn't know...the Danger Room set was partially built, but was cut due to budget issues, and because of the story. -
The entire movie was absolutely spectacular! My god it was just great! Nightcrawlers
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With great reverence, still I have to ask: How did Mystique ( disguised as Jean Grey ) ever get into Wolverine's tent without having her gorgeous blue guts sliced out (again)?!? Has she become more adept at morphing to the point she can mimic the very pheremones of those being mimicked? Logan would have smelled her before she was twenty yards away! Was he so overcome with desire for Jean that he ignored his own senses? WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED THERE?
My only confused point in an otherwise perfect film I will see many times. -
wow i couldnt believe it when i thought of it.....it would be better then harry conick jr.
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dont think its been mentioned here... but Gambit is actually in the film. in the credits, James Bamford is listed as playing Remy LeBeau/Gambit.
And this is him - as you can see, not a kid:
http://www.stuntscanada.net/members/bamford/bamford_main.htm
question is - where the hell is he in the film? cos I dont remember seeing him....... -
That would be a cool spin off movie
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giddy! Too damn good. Bryan - you knocked it out of the park!
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Austin is not the midwest, Austin is Texas an entity of its own. Anyone who watched the Dune mini-series (myself included) is officially off the list of people who can call anybody a geek. Oh and stick your negative attitude up you Harry hatin ass.
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I was looking at that guy's picture from the website you gave. He looks like the cop that shot Wolverine in the head. But he didn't have an accent (at least I don't remember one) and what the heck would Gambit be doing in Boston. But then again Nightcrawler was also in Boston and we know that Stryker somehow got access to him. So what's going on in Boston? Answer me now people!
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He's Wesley fucking Crusher with shades on...and what kind of a homo is Wolverine? If Rebecca Romijn crawls into MY tent, i'm gonna fuck her blue ass sideways. Jean WHO?
I have to admit, i've never read the comic book and I didn't know shit about these characters, but after seeing this movie I have to ask you X-Men geeks: What are you, fucking high? Can't you see how completely ridiculous and impossible this premise is? Fucking MUTANTS? Are you fucking serious? Do you geeks actually KNOW anything about genetic mutation and evolution? Here's a clue, it doesn't happen spontaneously in multiple independent ways and it doesn't give anybody superpowers. The power to control the weather? Fucking HOW? What genetic mutation would allow anybody to control the fucking weather? What mutation would allow somebody to fucking TELEPORT? You geeks need to go to the FAQ at talkorigins.org and fucking learn something about mutation as it pertains to evolution. Also, just so you know, if you get bitten by a radioactive spider you won't get spider powers. I thought geeks were supposed to be smart. What the fuck is wrong with you people that you swallow this kind of nonsense? -
I just wanted to thank you for your elloquent review. It reminded me of how incredible it felt walking out of the theater wishing they had another showing to see. I am in the process of collecting my "non-fanboy" friends together and treat them to a movie I know they will not forget. Keep up the good work!
Keener -
X-2 was dissappointing. Not that it wasn't good but the hype was innacurate. I kept waiting to see all these scenes mentioned in previews-Wolverine's berserker rage, the non-stop action, the mind blowing effects, collosus, etc. Where were they?
Sure Wolvie actually killed a couple soldiers but it should have been scores of them in a frenzied, bloodlust rage.
Why show Colussus (especially armoured up in the preview if he's only in it for 2 seconds).
Wouldn't it be better to keep his appearance a surprise like Hanks?
Where was the climax?
Another solo fight with Wolverine. This was a good fight but just a retread of his Mystique fight, albiet more violent.
The pacing was way off too. It kept building and developing and building without a bang-up ending. Singer's a great director-especially with characterization,suspense and dialogue but falls flat when presenting an action sequence. We're waitng for a sentienel or something but what we get is a tidal wave. Yeaah.
The first movie was paced way faster. Maybe it's better for a studio to sometimes rush a production.
This movie's great but only when compared to other movies in the genre. This isn't the epic it should be. And it should be epic because we'll have to wait another 3 years for x3. Then again maybe the 1 a year Lord of the Rings format have spoiled me. -
Hey, just back from X2. What a great film, it takes the first film and gives it a budget and a license to explore. fantastic! Fave bits include wolverine going postal and nightcrawler.... wwhat a guy.
I'd never read the comics before, my only exposure to x-men being the TVcartoon and some old role-playing stuff... i'm currently surfing the net for my first x-men comic fix, any ideas where to start?
Oh to the guy moaning about Mori's and Harry's too 'Personal' reviews..... there are tonnes of sites with the boring plot, SFX, acting reviews. I find the reviews at AIC refreshing and fun, and wonderfully spoiler free (mostly) keep it up guys -
May 06, 2003 4:44:06 PM CDT
Harry a PORTLY Bastard ? NO! - but he does need to get some sex
by mr pumblechook
Forget all the fan-boy, 'STAR WARS RAPED MY CHILDHOOD' nonsense, I'm here because i like a good movie.
I saw the first X-men, it started off good, then turned into some mediocre (but polished) shite.
I've seen X2, and it very good. A proper plot, more characters, and strangely MORE CHARACTERISATION.
Nice effects, with the Nightcrawler teleporting inkblot effect.
Unusual camera shots for a action move- (Wolverine & beer in fridge).
And Nightcrawler, a german? with deeply religious beliefs giving the film a little more emotional depth.
Magneto's subtle seduction of pyro being a particularly savoury moment.
HARRY, I like what you do, but all this reading too much into the film is concerning. eg 'Famke Jansen deserves ans oscar:- when Jean Gray blinked, i could sense, nay, FEEL, the turmoil in her heart, in her soul, and her inner conflict just pours out as tears of longing for...'
I mean this in a nice way but, maybe it's time to try dating.
KEEP THE PORTLY WORK UP
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May 06, 2003 4:49:03 PM CDT
Harry a PORTLY Bastard ? NO! - but he does need to get some sex
by mr pumblechook
Forget all the fan-boy, 'STAR WARS RAPED MY CHILDHOOD' nonsense, I'm here because i like a good movie.
I saw the first X-men, it started off good, then turned into some mediocre (but polished) shite.
I've seen X2, and it very good. A proper plot, more characters, and strangely MORE CHARACTERISATION.
Nice effects, with the Nightcrawler teleporting inkblot effect.
Unusual camera shots for a action move- (Wolverine & beer in fridge).
And Nightcrawler, a german? with deeply religious beliefs giving the film a little more emotional depth.
Magneto's subtle seduction of pyro being a particularly savoury moment.
HARRY, I like what you do, but all this reading too much into the film is concerning. eg 'Famke Jansen deserves ans oscar:- when Jean Gray blinked, i could sense, nay, FEEL, the turmoil in her heart, in her soul, and her inner conflict just pours out as tears of longing for...'
I mean this in a nice way but, maybe it's time to try dating.
KEEP THE PORTLY WORK UP
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Most of us know the difference between reality and fantasy. Even Shakespeare wrote about "aery spirits" and wizards in "The Tempest" and we all know those aren't real, right? But it's still great drama. Asshole.
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When Mystique is on Stryker's computer (Deathstrike's comp) and she's looking up names, the name above the one she picks (Erik Lehnsherr?) IS REMY LeBeau.. I remember freaking out in the theatre to my much shagrined friend.
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When Mystique is hacking deathstrike's computer in the beginning of the movie... and she scrolls down to Erik Lehnsherr (?), the name right above Erik's is Remy LeBeau. Yea, that's not exactley IN the movie, but it shows they still have him in mind.
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Thank you MisterPink, and LemmiWinks, you reminded me why I don't read TalkBacks anymore. You guys aren't even worth an insult. I just feel sorry for you.
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I've about had it with all of these posts about what future storylines need to be introduced (hellfire, morlocks,etc.) and when exactly they need to occur. If you'll step back and realize that neother of the first two movies were faithful to any comic plots. Wolverine never found Rogue wandering through Canada, Magneto never created a giant machine to turn everyone into mutants, Stryker wasn't a military scientist who used thr professor to try and kill all the mutants. Why then is everyone so interested in when Phoenix turns into Dark Phoenix and when the Sentinals come into it. Maybe Jean never meets the Hellfire Club, maybe she just goes Phoenix and has to deal with that power as well as her feelings for Logan? If you loved X2 as much as I and most people did (the first one was pretty good but nowhere near as good as the 2nd) then why are you so eager to see nothing more than a live action interpretation of the comic storylines? Spiderman was a sweet movie but the fact that it was so close to the original comic made it so that I didn't want to go back and see it again. I think Singer's story is great and follows the original premise of the comics without using them as the sole guideline for his movies and I hope he keeps it up. Here's to 5 more.
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Having just seen this movie, i was blown away by the improvements over the first film. Though i found the wolverine-deathstrike fight the low point of the movie. The reason for this is that is was jumping around too much to follow what was going on. There was no fluidness to the fighting at all, which is a shame cause i was definately looking forward to this film. Oh well next comes the Matrix!!!
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hey harry.
I work in a cinema, and have now seen the fantastic X2 a grand four and a half times,and each time i have made sure,POSITIVELY MADE SURE of watching the strykers file scene so closely that my eyes have wanted to bleed.
Anyway,the files read as this:
1) project wideawake.
-something thatw e know from the comics as a sentinel cretion exercise set up by Gyrich and Kelly,but in the filmit could be a cast off of the old kelly and now strykers unit.
Possibly a fantastic story arc for the third film,with much street set carnage, and a whole slew of reavers?
2) OMEGA RED (!!!)
- i almost died from fanboy overload when i saw this. The theme is set up in the wolverines revenge game,as he is being held in alkali lakes,and is a enemy of wolverine.
But in a film he could be huge,i mean simply H U G E !
Imagine a dolph lungren
(i know he sucks,but minimal lines,and just balls to the wall ass kicking a la ROCKY) in this roll as arkady,that would be so good i would cream. . .
4) muir island.
- work this into a sentinel story arc,or even into a hellfire club,hellions story and imagine the possibilities..
Archangel, PSylocke, Banshee, Excalibur -
they could all be brought into this... but imagine this -
Hank McCoy,The BEast,could be one of the original X-MEn,who works at the mutant research facility on Muir island,with Moira McTaggert,on behalf of Charles...
McCoy could be featured in the third film for real,proper characterisation...
BEAST!
this would work so well it would be criminal if they ignored it.
other things i noticed were the names on Strykers list....
Most importantly though two of the names at the top.
One a fan boys dream,the other my personal favourite character,and a huge possibility in the post matrix reloaded world.
REMY LeBEAU
and
JAMIE MADDOX!!!
MULTIPLE MAN - that would kick mutant ass.
Anyway,the film begins again in about ten minutes,and i am going to sneak in a watch for more names... so i may report back soon.
But in the menatime,that was the best review i have read so far,and every word is true.
Roll on X3,and may the mutants never die.
Ariva bleeding Derci.
SARIANLIVES
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Maybe I am....I logged in here having just seen X2 and expecting to see loads of stuff harping on about how the ending of X2 is either a rip-off of or a homage to (depending on how charitable you're feeling) Star Trek II. In fact, it's not just the ending, although that is the most obvious thing.
**SPOILERS**
We have the dead (or are they...?) character who has sacrificed their life to save the rest of the crew doing a voice-over as a kind of calm, hopeful mission statement as the camera zooms off dreamily into the distance, and into the credits. The closing credits sound as though Singer asked for a pastiche of James Horner's ST2 score. And we even have the little framing device of the English work of literature (A Tale of Two Cities/The Once and Future King) tied around the story.
Overall reaction: first 90 minutes absolutely spot-on, last 50 dreary and badly-paced. It felt like Bryan Singer was kidnapped halfway through and replaced with a hack. -
Was I trying to hard or... did anyone else see the outline of Jean Grey's Dark Phoenix in the water at the end?
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THE FLAW!
Stryker's strike team DOESN'T use real weapons (like laser rifles or exploding ammo instead of drug darts).
Stryker was going to kill every mutant anyway using Xavier's power so why the drug darts?
It doesn't make sense! -
Big list of names - somebody must have the ability to stop time to get that info.
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Jeepers!!! Take it easy dude. This is the idea behind the X-men. It was created in the late 60s/early 70s as a fantasy book for kids to read. The kids that bought the books decided that they liked them so much that they passed them down through the generations to their children but never quit reading them themselves. Marvel realized that the bulk of people reading the books weren't children and matured the story but didn't totally change the premise of it................Conclusion not everybody likes stories based in reality, some find them mundane and boring. Take it for what it is, a FUN story that kids and adults alike can enjoy. Nobody cares if the powers are real. Nobody cares if the Force is a farce. Nobody cares if we don't get a spaceship with a crew of 400 in space and explore the galaxy with the Vulcans in 150 years. Just have fun with it. You're not too old to remember what fun is, right?
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or is brian cox's performance in x2 extremely reminiscent of one James Lipton, host of Bravo's Inside the Actor's Studio. The close-cropped hair, the sinister self-satisfaction....I can't tell you how much this struck me upon seeing the film.
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IK don't care what anybody else says. This was THE BEST comic book movie EVER!!! I agree with all that HArry says. And I can't wait to see where else this goes... Please bring in Angel!
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I saw this movie. I saw it and it gave me goose bumps. I don't get goose bumps for anything. Anyway, I went to work the next day and had no one to talk to about it because no one I work with reads comic books. Infact I don't know anyone who reads comic books but me.
I work in a costume shop and I told my boss to order more blue body paint and tight leather unitards. It was that good. -
And it's all down to how well the characters are written. I loved it and I'm off to watch this classic again straight away. BRAVO MR.SINGER!!!
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In these comic-based movies, there has to be at least ONE thing done that goes against the true storylines that we know and love. Jason "Stryker", or Mastermind, should actually be older than Stryker, and not be a relation. But, still it fit the needs of the movie. (Why didn't Kurt save him? Hmm...)
Ideas: Phoenix saga; Havok arrives
; Apocalypse (playable by Teel'k actor from SG-1!) with Archangel;
Morlocks (which would involve Kitty and put Storm underground)
All could be done in the next one if done right (oops... forgot Gambit)
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May 10, 2003 1:47:46 AM CDT
Was it just me or did I see the "Phoenix" under the water at the
by w0lf
Jean's not dead .... long live Phoenix!!!!
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The next X-Men film must, must, must have better action sequences than what we get X2. Most of the stunt work and fight scenes are pedestrian...nothing we all haven't seen before. For people with superpowers, they sure are limited when faced with problems. They hobble around the building like crippled passengers on the Poseidon...are forced to camp when their plane goes down...engage in hand-to-hand combat like a bad Jackie Chan film (which can get pretty damn bad). There is not a single breathtaking moment of pure spectacle, not to mention suspense. At least it's better than DAREDEVIL and that overrated piece of crap SPIDER-MAN, but X2 still doesn't touch SUPERMAN or SUPERMAN II as far as pure, fantasy magic is concerned. (Kelly Hu is a goddamn hottie, though). And Harry...your reviews are getting to be boringly fawning and too melodramatic. This is a kid's comic book, fer chrissake! You want a real movie --- go see GLENGARRY GLENROSS or THE VERDICT.
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Anyone know a good website where I could learn more about the stories in the comics?
X2 was great, but I never read all the books and I's like to know what everyone is talking about when it comes to the Phoenix, additional characters, etc....
Thanks in advance. -
I really liked the review!!! After I saw X2, I was totally GEEKED out, espeacially after i saw flames surround Jean!!! All could think is about PHOENIX!!!!!But i really liked this movie!
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Funny, Harry, I don't recall you being anything like as displeased with the original X-Men movie when you first reviewed it as you claim to be in this one. I mean, comparing anything to Star Trek 1 is just HARSH... That being said, very good movie, Nightcrawler was about as well done as I could have imagined, pleased they balanced character time and development so well (_amazing_ juggling act), and thrilled with all that Ms. Romjin-Stamos managed to do with Mystique. (Easier when you're not sharing time with Sabertooth and Toad, huh?) Terrific movie; see it.
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While I hate to say ANYTHING bad about X-2 (seeing as it was the best damn movie I've seen all year), I have to say I was slightly disappointed with how much (or little) Yureko (spelling?) aka Lady Death Strike was used. I would have loved to have seen a storyline that included Logan finding out that before his "Adamantium" surgery, he was with Yureko. Yureko's want for Revenge would have fueled the battle between Logan and Lady Death Strike.
But other than that, this movie totally rocked. I loved every one of Nightcrawler's scenes. The emotion, the mood of every scene in the movie was tremendous. And as Harry said...the Score is the reason for this.
I can't wait to see X-2 for the second time. I saw X-Men last night...and I noticed the difference automatically. The characters are more in detail...they show more emotion in the second one as well.
Well that's enough from me. If you're reading this and haven't seen X-2: X-Men United (As the assholes have apparently told us to call it), GET YOUR ASS OFF YOUR COMPUTER AND GO SEE THIS FUCKING MOVIE! -
First, Maybe Logan was so horny for Jean that he did not sense it was not her because he was anticipating a great sexual experience. He is a man after all. Second, Rogue was the one who put out the fires, or that was my understanding, so she did still have some of Bobby's Powers. Third, at the end of the film before the Phoenix appears, Professor X is looking out the window. HE pauses, turns and smiles at the students. Do you think he senses that Jean may be ok after all? Fourth, I was wondering where exactly Jean got the Phoenix powers because they show up periodically in the film. Scott says something like you have not been the same since Liberty Island. So I re-watched X-men last night and there is a scene after Logan has stopped the Mutant maker machine and the energy subsides that Jean bows her head and turns to the side like something just hit her or got inside of her. At the time it could of been construed as relief, but after what happens in the second film, you have to think.
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Now don't get me wrong, I really liked the film overall but I have some serious problems with a lot of it. 1)Nightcrawler - First, he's an acrobat and should have had a leaner body and more defined muscle tone. Alan Cumming nailed the character of Kurt but didn't (in my opinion) have the physicality for it. Second, his "BAMF" was all wrong. The sound of his teleporting comes from the rush of air filling the void where his body used to be so it should be on the scale of a whip crack. 2)Iceman was completely underused. Why didn't he help at Alkali Lake. It is water. It is in the snow. Hello?!?! He could have jury patched the dam or frozen some of the water around Jean long enough for her to get back in the jet. Logical times for him to use his powers to thier full advantage were ignored. 3) Wolverine. First his berzerker attack did not go quite far enough for me. In my mind, these rages render him a complete animal incapable of human thought or recognition until something brings him back. Second, his fight with Deathstrike was lame. Just because she has 10 claws instead of 6 does not mean she can cut or impale him any faster. Pulling a knife in and out of flesh is just that. He is physically bigger and probably stronger. The fight was leaning her way but should have been not that one sided. And when he pumped her full of Adamantium, why didn't she simply slice the gun? 3)Jean Grey - Phoenix was not and never will be a natural progression of her powers. This is just stupid. As much as I would love to see Phoenix in the series. It just doesn't work without the radiation burst to jump start her powers.
In general, I felt X2 was like driving a car at 55 mph in 3rd gear. You can feel it wanting to go further and it just never does. I feel like they played it safe and never really jumped in with both feet. Maybe I am too critical because I am a fan and not a fanatic. I have too much respect for these characters and their place in the cinematic cannon not to hold them to some kind of puritain responsibility to the source material. I am in no rush to see Gambit (one of my least favorite characters) or a blue Beast. I would rather see them use their powers as a team, not as individuals. Where is the scene where Storm creates an ice storm, Bobby quick freezes them into Icicles and Jean telekinetically launces them like spears? So far the X-Men have been far from "united." -
First time poster here...
X2 is an amazing movie. I can only hope that there will be X3, X4, X5........so many storylines to follow.
Favorite scenes:
1 Nightcrawler in the White House (kicked ASS!!)
2 Wolverine vs. Death Strike (beautifully paced. slice slice, rip rip)
Hell, I could go on and on...
(was that the image of a Phoenix in the water at the end????)
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Imagine X3 opening at the school with characters describing how once again Logan has gone off on his own (and won't be available for this installment). Not likely, but the alternative is waiting much longer for a much more expensive X3. Jackman begins a contractual one year stint on Broadway this fall (unless the musical fails sooner). If a hit, there's no guarantee he might not do it even longer. He, along with Stewart, McKellin, Berry, and Marsden are not yet inked for a triquel. So, Magneto and especially Storm, also risk being no-shows. The good, everyone else is signed, Stewart has just said NO! to the flagging TREK franchise, McKellan describes having a wonderful time on X2's location (hard to imagine Mystique without him), Marsden could fairly easily be recast since so little of his face has been seen (but only if he suddenly thinks he's worth a whole lot more). X2 was already heavy with in-demand actors and was a miracle to get everyone's schedule open at the same time. X3 will be even harder. Singer sounds keen on doing X3, but wants to direct a smaller pic in between. So, nothing's going on with X3 right now. If Jackman asks for the moon, he could affect McKellan's and Stewart's demands, which all together could reduce the SPFX budget (meaning no Sentinels, Colossus, Angel, etc.)
These things have a way of usually working themselves out, but best guess might include no more mutants until 2006, perhaps a more reduced/separate role for Wolverine, and maybe no/recast Storm. Certainly, a Wolverine solo shot isn't even imaginable. Wolverine forever, Peter Allen NEVER! -
great job dude! I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish and was actually gripping the hell out of the armrest during some scenes. That sh*t NEVER happens to me anymore!!! Congrats!
--BUT here are the criticisms (SPOILERS):
1) great chemistry btwn Jean Grey and Cyclops but I could have used a tiny scene to see the mind control wear off on Cyclops b4 he finds Jean passed out. Or maybe some love conquers all psychic sh*t as they were fighting.
2) great "coming out" scene with Bobby Drake and parents... but dad should have had stronger reactions, or at least some real lines
3) how about some asian male mutants??? Or at least half-asian male??? I would have made an awesome iceboy...
4) why the F**K was Prof X wearing that lame blue suit???
Otherwise--great work!!!!!!! -
For some reason there are people with problems with your reviews(Fuck you all)and I think they're nuts.I have never,not once been disappointed with one of your reviews.You are the best movie critic ever,because you tell it like it is and don't go with what everyone else thinks.But isn't that what being a critic is about?People seem to have a problem with that. ANYWAYS...back to the subject.I absolutley LOVED X-2.In my mind it's the best superhero movie EVER,Well exceeding my expectations. Nightcrawler...Oh my god...Could'nt have been any better.The fight scene where he'skicking everyones ass...my jaw dropped.What a great start to the movie.And the Pyro thing...And Phoenix...can'twait for X-3!!
Bye!!
~*~Yuriko -
i can't believe Harry didn't mention the end of the fight b/w wolverine and deathstrike... just as he's injecting all that adamantium into her, you see her eyes change color (as the drug that Stryker has been using to control/brainwash her) and you get this sense of a brief connection (not romantic, but empathetic) between the two characters (after all, they're so similar to one another) and that brief moment where their eyes meet; her expression of helplessness as the mind control drug wears off and she regains her own consciousness and Wolverine's expression of both sorrow at her death and anger at Stryker who has forced her into a drug induced servitude and wolverine into killing her, was surprisingly powerful. damn. so good.
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Here's what I've gathered off of the Stryker computer scene.
Harada, Keniucho
Kane, Garrison
LeBeau, Remy
Lensherr, Eric M.
Maddicks, Artie
Madrox, Jamie
Mahn, Xi'an Coy
Maximoff (2)
McTaggart, Kevin
Moonstar, Danielle
Munroe, Ororo
Off of the 2nd shot:
Omega Red
Muir Island
Project Wideawake
Franklin Richards
That's pretty much all I was able to make out. -
I've seen X2, 3 time and the Matrix Reloaded twice. X2 is in my opinion a far better movie. Matrix has a few cool bits, but does not live up to the expectations created by the last movie. X2 far exceeds the expectations of it's related last movie. Cheers.
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Harry, Harry, Harry! You clearly have no idea of how to go about writing a review for a film. What you have written is a load of opinionated waffle. It is entirely subjective, with no attempt at being evaluative, insightful, objective or generally helpful. We don't want to know what it says on Stryker's sodding computer screen. All we want to know is "IS THE FILM ANY DAMN GOOD?" Allow me to explain the difference between a REVIEW and a RANT.
A REVIEW:
1) Give the reader some insight into the nature of the film
2) Assess the film's strengths
3) Now look at its weaknesses
4) Evaluate the overall effectiveness of the film, possibly aided by a scoring system of some kind.
A RANT:
1) Write down a load of illegible, opinionated nonsense about what YOU think, completely disregarding the interests of anybody who may actually be interested in the film.
2) Spoil the plot at every possible opportunity
3) Include a load of pointless trivia, which in no way tells us anything about the quality of the film.
Although you have apparently mastered the latter of the two, this is not really what anybody wants to read. I suggest that you go away, read some issues of EMPIRE magazine and take some serious notes on how the experts do it.
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Enough gushing, go see it again.
The following quote ALMOST leaves me speechless:
"On a less successful note, the resident new kid-cum-Jar Jar Binks, Alan Cumming's cowering Nightcrawler, has a propensity to babble the Lord's Prayer in a heavy Bavarian accent."
--J. Hoberman, The Village Voice
J. Hoberman, you tasteless, humorless amateur. You're the Jar Jar Binks of film critics. Clueless.
If this film has a Jar Jar Binks (and it doesn't) it's Halle Berry. Yeah, yeah, yeah she's damn stunning, but the 'tude, the history and the pathetic- boyfriend thing makes ya' limp. I'd rather look at Rebecca, Anna, Famke, etc. etc.
More quotes From J. Hoberman:
"Kmart Olympus"
"gotta-gotta-Gotterdammerung"
He gets paid for this? I'm in the wrong business.
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May 26, 2003 11:39:25 AM CDT
X2 rocked!, and TTT bashers, give it a rest, LOTR still and will
by krylite
Grimloch, It's unfortunate TTT was heavily tilted to emphasize the battle at Helm's Deep and Aragorn as a Mel Gibson like action hero leading you to believe the story was just about as you put it "an action spectacle shitfest", even though I think Gollum and other elements make the movie much more of a classic. I'm a LOTR nut as you probably guessed but I can sincerely tell you that the characters were well thought out by Tolkien, and though characterization wasn't the books' emphasis, the story is definitely an original classic. Tolkien wrote it from after the Hobbit(1936) to 1953 when the books were finally published.
Basically most of the western fantasy stuff including Star Wars has had influence and inspiration from the Lord of the Rings.
And I highly recommend you to actually take time to read the books. Lord of the Rings is about an alternate history with the foundations discovered through the study of its languages.
It's a brilliant piece I think you'll find every bit as good or better imho as "Catcher in the Rye" , "East of Eden" etc. and books of that era. There are literally thousands of details from the book Jackson faithfully put in the TTT if not by actor's lines, than in the scenery in the sfx, in the costumes and 20,000 pieces of HANDMADE real forged armor. Even Gimli's chain mail was built by hand ring by ring and took 60,000 chain rings. The forges you see in the Uruk-hai pits are real forges.
It's just too bad they made Aragorn dashing about like an Errol Flynn, stupid pseudostud Mel Gibson-like hybrid action hero who took up way too much of the audience attention intentionally even messing up the other characters line so they would defer to him as the man. X2 rocked! It totally copied Star Trek II in the end act though. Even Patrick Stewart replayed Shatner's reactions i.e. staring at the "empty chair" vacated by Spock, closing the door on Cyclops = closing the radiation room door on Spock. Xavier looks out the window back home and suddnely feels eveyrthings all right = Kirk looking out at the Genesis planet and believing Spocks spirit survives, and then of course as everyone mentioned the phoenix gradually revealed underwater = the Mark IV photon torpedo tube casket revealed in the Genesis jungle complete with the James Horner like music. Watch Star Trek II at the end and you'll see its dead on. -
The United Mutated People's Front was better than I imagined - and much better than Matrix Rehashed.
I'm sure there are now millions of lonely dudes drifting away each evening, wondering what to do if put in Wolverine's position. Dear Scary Blue Chick: I love you just the way you are. But tonight, start me off with Rogue, then drift into Storm, Dr. me for a while, and clean me up with that hispanic janitor. -
I saw a still from the movie in a magazine and it showed someone looking suspiciously like Bryan Singer himself, dressed in a guards uniform, pushing the Professors' wheelchair. Can anyone tell me if it really is him?
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i thought this review was ok. and hey! the new movie with hot babe charlotte lewis looks better it is called HEY DJ! i love charlotte! she was in the golden child here's a link: http://us.imdb.com/Title?0322621
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Well I think it is obvious that the general consensus on X2 is that it rocked.. Even as a long time fan I was so impressed with the film and am excited by the prospect of the 3rd.
I agree that the whole "Phoenix Saga" should span several films.
We have developed a total of 3 sides of the Conflict now..
Those who wish to see Mutant Rule
Those who wish to see Human Rule
And those who wish to see all living together in Harmony.
Maybe it's time to focus on Mutant vs. Mutant
with the Exception of Magneto, so MAJOR Villians have been brought in in large roles yet. So, I doubt a huge one would be brought in for the 3rd film. But what it he wasn't really a Villian.
I think a great way to introduce Moira McTaggart into the film is through the Proteus Storyline. Neither Magneto or any of the previous villians would necissarily be needed for this film. It would introduce Moira who could be used in future films and possibly as a Romantic interest for Xavier. It might also leave some room for the development of Xavier's Character and maybe even Storm, which you have to say hasn't had much development in either film. And even Rogue and Iceman could play larger roles in helping Proteus come to terms with himself or at least attempting to. And by the end of the film Jean has come back as Phoenix.. leading to the 4th film. This film might also lead other characters such as Cyclops and Storm to reflect on how they reacted to the discovery of their mutant abilities and how it changed them.
Now by this point in time, we have had several interesting conflicts, but no really Kick Ass EVIL Villians. So what about for the 4th Film, APOCALYPSE. Only the Strong will survive. During this film, Phoenix Develops her powers more and more and more and in the end is the Key to the defeat of Apocalypse. This film could also bring in the likes of Angel/Archangel, possibly Psylocke as an interest or cameo.
The one thing I don't like about these movies is that they take place for the most part over a short period of 1 or 2 days. So I think that these next films should take place over a period of at least weeks. I'm sure it can be done. I dunno.
HEAVEN PERMITTING and X5 and X6
X5 would HAVE to bring in the Shi'ar someway, so that X6 could be the Dark Phoenix Saga and the conclusion to the X-Film Franchise. You just can't do the Dark Phoenix storyline without the Shi'ar.. Phoenix was a cosmic entity and there's really no real way around it. But I don't see it going that far for the simple fact that, After about the 3rd or 4th film, Film Franchises start to go bad.. Star Trek, for example. Any Horror Movie Series. Also, I see people reacting to the "X-Men in Space" idea not well, and campy. Which is also the same reason I don't see any "time line changes" occruring, although I'd love to see "The Age of Apocalypse" on the big screen as well. Anyway, those are my thoughts....
I think that the Relationship between Jean and Logan, and even Logan and Storm should continue developing more and more in each film.
ANOTHER Idea for X3 is Mr. Sinister (though I hate the name, and people would laugh at it) So Maybe they could just call him David Essex. This would bring in Scott's past maybe even allow for Havok to appear and cause some controversy. Using sinister would also be an interesting way of bringing about the Phoenix storyline. (Forgive me for obsessing, I just think it's the most interesting Storyline for the X-Men)
And even yet ANOTHER and more likely/plausable idea is the Sintinels. But, the thing is all the supporters of the Sintinels are DEAD (Sen. Kelly, Gyrich) I guess Graydon Creed. But I have this movie planned out.. Introducing Dazzler AND Gambit. Hehe, doubt it will happen though.. You will probably kick my ass later when I tell you this idea I have though...
Opens up.. MARDI GRAS, New Orleans.. Huge Parade and Pop Icon Superstar Allison Blair is performing in a spectacular light show from one of the main floats, and her boyfriend, Remy LeBeau is along with her. Both trying to hide their mutant abilities.. But since we're in New Orleans.. who would I have play Allison? The obvious less than talented (but who else could do it) Britney Spears (I'm ready for the backlash, but really who else?). I still have no idea on a Remy LeBeau.. But anyway, the Sentinels come in trying to capture Remy and Allison, maybe one of them is actually captured and seeks out help from the X-Men for a rescue. Then can bring in Genosha, the Mutant Camps, the Sentinels and the reinactment of the Mutant Registration act. We still have no idea how the President will react. BUT we're left thinking he will react positively to Xavier's message, which means, that the Sentinels will definatly have to be a Privately owned, secretly funded organization.. don't know who that could be. I dunno. Again Phoenix could be rediscoverd and manifest her new powers in the defeat of the Sentinels.. I dunno.. what do you all think about ideas for possible sequels..
My MAIN THING IS.. I think the Core X-Men should Remain unless they announce an absesnce in the previous film.. Storm and Wolverine MUST be in the next film.. Jean and Storm were like sisters, with Jean gone, we can really get an insight in to the Character of Storm, with her reflection on the situation.. OKAY I'm gonna shut up now.. Thanks' for listening. And making it through my dissertation of rambling and consistant erroneous spelling. -
X2 sucks just as much as the first movie. The storyline was way off base from the comic, some of the casting was terrible, and the lack of individual costumes was very disappointing. Bryan Singer did a good job on The Usual Suspect but Marvel should have chosen someone who REALLY know about the X-Men or at least have a consultant on the set to make sure things are done correctly. Bryan Singer's explanation on why they did not have them in their individual costume is BS because Spider-Man and Daredevil (although Daredevil's costume was a little off from the comic) is recognizable and showed real good on the big screen. I was not too happy the way the X-Men animated series in the 90's was done storyline wise and never thought Marvel would do them any worst but I was wrong after watching X-Men, X-Men: Evolution, and X2: X-Men United.
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This movie was just as bad as the first movie. The storyline was all wrong, the casting was bad, and once again no individual comic book costumes. So far the only Marvel movie to be done right are Spider-Man and Daredevil.
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We see Magneto free himself from jail using what he says is "iron" that was previously injected into him. The problem with this is there is already enough iron in someone's blood naturally for him to escape. In fact there is arguably enough iron in a bowel of Total(tm) breakfast cereal for this purpose. Not enough to make really cool 2 inch ball bearings but enough to do what you need to do. This is all totally disregarding the fact that you can magnetize every other element with enough power and that people's bodies contain water, which makes them very easy to magnetize on top of that. I had stated even in the first movie that you couldn
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Based on nothing more than high energetic action sequences and tip-top special effects, "X2: X-Men United" goes above and beyond its 2000 predecessor and mutates into something, not of amazing proportion, but instead eye candy for die hard comic book fans.
This time some of the originals are back and continue their fight for the rights of mutants everywhere. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) makes a nomadic return and is more intense than the original. Fanatics of this character will love how Wolverine is more violent and finally gets to swipe out those crazy claws and do some damage. We really see his animal instincts in this one. In "X2" he finally meets the man who is responsible for his mutation, William Stryker (Brian Cox), and doesn?t know whether or not to ask him questions about his past or simply rip his face off.
The other mutants that make a return are Storm (Halle Berry), Dr. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), Cyclops (Jams Marsden), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), Magneto (Ian McKellen) and Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). However, it is Wolverine that takes all the screen time as we try to understand who he is and where he came from (not that fans don't already know).
One of the main reasons that "X2" is more fun than the first is because of all the new characters that are running amuck. We are introduced to the fan favorite, Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), as he teleports through the walls of the White House trying to assassinate the President. Others in the cast are Iceman (Shawn Ashmore), Aaron Stanford (Pyro) and bad girl Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) who sports the same knife-like claws that Wolverine has.
Although we are not able to see them develop as much as we would like to, writers will probably wait until the third installment to let them run more rampant (and we all know there will be a third one). This includes even more characters like Colossus, Jubilee and Siryn who give a little taste of what is to come.
And the storyline? Not very though-provoking and interesting at all, but just as long as more back flip kicks and explosions occur who is really paying attention to the reason we are all here?
Grade: C+
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I tend to agree with Harry's reviews, including the one of X2. I guess this means I'm being paid off by film companies!
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aside from the age difference between him and rogue, movie-wise, who else should play gambit but the capoeira theif from "ocean's twelve"???
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actually, since no one ever looks at this talkback anymore, email me with your thoughts as spriforever@yahoo.com
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