I absolutely loved X-MEN 2, which I caught yesterday at a matinee. Even at 12:30pm on a Friday afternoon the place was 3/4 full, plus there was another screen showing the film beginning at 1:00pm. I've read on some sites earlier that the film is already going to be a major box-office smash for opening weekends. I think good reviews and word of mouth will keep the films in theaters for a while.

As Hugh Jackman mentioned in an interview I heard this past week, they were able to get right into the action since so much had already been introduced in the first film. Of course, it probably would be hard for anyone unfamiliar with the mythos (even from the initial film) to understand who all these folks were, but there is some brief attempt at explanation early on.

I'm not going to give a lot away, but there were a few surprises (at least to someone like me who hasn't read a dozen message board postings giving everything away) that delighted folks familiar with the comics. Several mutants make there first appearance in this film, one of them only in his 'civilian' identity. When the other two revealed their powers (and thereby who they were) there was applause and cheers from those 'in the know.'

Hugh Jackman, as Logan/Wolverine is clearly the main focus and hero of this film, just as he was in the second. All the others seem to be 'guest stars' in his movie. Moreso here, than even in the first, Jackman has the character down and turns in a great performance. Clearly the character could spin-off into solo films, but only with Jackman in the role.

Alan Cumming, almost unrecognizable under all the makeup, is quite good as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler. He brings just the right amount of pathos, innocense and humor to the role. The FX folks do an excellant job with his teleportation power, the only quibble is that no body seems to mention the smell of sulpher (I believe) that he leaves behind. Of course, that's something I remember from when I was reading the series, so that may have been written out or just not mentioned any more.

Bobby Drake/Iceman gets an extended part this time around and I couldn't be happier. His relationship with Rogue developing pretty well and the small demonstrations of his powers hint that he'll probably have a larger part in the planned sequels.

I've read that Hallie Berry may not be returning, but since she really doesn't seem to be adding much to the mix (not for lack of trying, but the script really doesn't give her much to work with), it will probably not be hard to fit somebody else for the white wig and contacts.

The main villain of the film, General Stryker, really isn't much more than a second-rate military type. We've seen his equal in hundreds of movies and twice that many television shows. It's the mutants we came to see and in the end we won't miss Stryker.

While Patrick Stewart is a good actor and plays Prof X as well as anyone could, Ian McKellan as Magneto is far more interesting. In this film it's easy to see that he can manipulate people, just as easily as he can metal. The means of his escape from his metal-free cell is creepy, but so in character.

The theatre in which I caught the movie had a number of trailers (long one of my favorite parts of the theatre-going experience), among them being ones for MATRIX RELOADED & LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN. The second Matrix film looks quite good and easily as jammed with killer FX as the original. LoEG looks to be absolutely amazing, even with the changes they have made to Alan Moore's creation. I suppose it makes sense, in Hollywood logic, to bring in a younger man as the lead action hero. I really have no problem with him being a slightly older Tom Sawyer, who was turned into a detective by Twain anyway.

The rest of the summer looks to be a good one for both comics fans and folks who just like action/adventure.