Now, it's always rare for the sequel to surpass the first in any film trilogy/quadrologically/bisexualalogy....or whatever you call movie sets that aren't trilogies....But X 2 does this very successfully, through the use of a few new great characters, and a thoroughly enthralling script!

Plot-
When a powerful military man with an agenda, William Stryker (Brian Cox) decides to use mutants to fulfil his own genocide related plans, the x men under professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) become both threatened and heavily involved in the plot, but when they find themselves out of their depth, they must also join forces with the more sinister Magneto (Ian Mckellen) a man with a much harsher attitude to 'normal' people, and who is both dangerous but also a necessity...

The thing that for me made this movie so entertaining is that you have the good good guys (The x men) The bad guys (Stryker) and the inbetween morally questionable group (Magneto). The result of this is a wide range of political ideas, that are very relative in today's society, such as the morality of killing those who would kill you, or saving those who would kill you. For a film aimed largely at the younger population, these are fairly complex issues to explore, but i felt that it was handled in a way that would make my old philosophy teacher proud.

The plot itself and the scenes involved are quite epic, ranging from a brall in the white house and a fun confrontation in a museum, to a fight for survival in Xavier's school and an epic mutant battle inside a dam, all of which are full of retractable blades, laser beams, telekinetic powers, and teleporting whup ass skills! This is fast, furious, and fun throughout.

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is the key character here, as he explores his shady past, and tries to uncover what exactly happened to him all those years ago, and the reason behind his indestructable body and claws. His famous temper is excellently explored in this film, with one excellent example involving an intruder at the school...

Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) is also fantastic here as the teleporting and very acrobatic ex circus act, who lends his fighting skills to this movie and, unfortunately, only this one, which is a shame as he is clearly one of the funnest mutants out there, and Cumming's acting skills are also on top form here.

Although the acting from Jackman, Mckellen, and Stewart is all admirable, for me it was Brian Cox who stole the show largely. His part as the twisted William Stryker is about as convincing as bad guys can be, as he appears to revell in the pain he causes throughout, and at no point do you question just how much of a complete ******* he is!

This is a fairly aggressive movie throughout, but actual blood and swearing are kept to a bare minimum, and much of the violence is simply punching and kicking. This is an acceptable family viewing film, and i can't see why it would offend anyone, as it is fun and fast throughout, and aimed at a very wide audience.

Conclusion-
This is definately the best of the x men films, and is thoroughly entertaining, with great action scenes throughout. The cast and acting here is great, but of course the mutants steal the show, with a wide range of fun and exciting abilities on show. This is one of those movies that is near impossible not to enjoy!