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X2 - X-Men United (Two-Disc Widescreen Edition)
Actors: Shawn Ashmore, Halle Berry, Brian Cox, Alan Cumming, and Bruce Davison
Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Retail Price (not our price): $19.98
Release Date: 2003-11-25
Theatrical Release Date: 2003-05-02
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Run Time: 134 minutes
Format: Array
Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Discs: 2


Editorial Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):

1) Amazon.com
X2 does a fine job of picking up where X-Men left off, giving fans more of what they liked the first time around. Under the serious-minded custody of returning director Bryan Singer, the second film of this Marvel comics franchise ups the ante on Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and the superhero mutants from the first film, pitting them against a mutant-hating scientist (Brian Cox) who's determined to wipe out the mutant race by tricking Xavier into abusing his telepathic powers. More a series of spectacles than a truly satisfying thriller, X2 introduces new mutant allies while giving each of the X-Men alumni--notably the temporarily helpful Magneto (Ian McKellen)--their own time in the spotlight. Well aware of the parallels between "mutantism" and virulent intolerance in the real world, Singer lends real gravity to the proceedings, injecting dramatic urgency into a continuing franchise that, in lesser hands, might've grown patently absurd. --Jeff Shannon

2) Description
The evolution continues in this "exhilarating thrill ride" (Seattle Post-Intelligencer) that features the extraordinary original X-Men - along with amazing new mutants possessing fantastic powers that have to be seen to be believed. In the wake of a shocking attack on the President, the X-Men face their most dangerous mission ever. They must stand united with their deadliest enemies to combat a menace that threatens every mutant on the planet. But could this new alliance backfire and annihilate the human race? Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Hale Berry, Famke Janssen and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos star in this breathtaking, action-packed spectacle that "may be the best superhero movie yet made!" (San Francisco Examiner)

Customer Reviews (supplied by Amazon.com):
Average Customer Rating: 4.5 out of 5

1) A superior sequel!   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
While there's still a good bit of Wolverine in this second entry into the franchise, X-2, as I had hoped it would, also gives the chance for other members of the team to shine. We join them as Wolverine returns to Prof. Xavier's school after a fruitless journey to Alkali Lake in Alaska, where he believed he might find clues to how he became what he is. Meanwhile, anti-mutant hysteria is mounting in Washington, fed by the sinister Southerner William Stryker, who has a secret agenda. In pursuit of it, he interrogates the imprisoned Magneto under drugs and learns of Prof. Xavier's supercomputer, Cerebro, with which the Professor can literally find any human mind in the world--or even billions of them at a time. Stryker captures Xavier and Cyclops while they are visiting Magneto's prison and sends a Special Forces detachment to invade the school, knowing that Storm and Jean Gray are away. The only thing that saves most of the students from capture is Wolvie, who proves to be a ferocious fighter in their defense and delays the military long enough for the bulk of them to escape through a series of secret tunnels. Meanwhile, Magneto's cohort Mystique arranges his escape from prison, and he seeks out Xavier's pupils, knowing that in order to save mutantkind from extermination they must find and rescue the Professor.I was delighted to see in this film the introduction of one of my favorite X-ers, Kurt Wagner/The Incredible Nightcrawler, a demonic-looking teleport (and devout Catholic). There's also a brief view of someone whom I suspect is Colossus, the young Russian who can transform his body into steel. The effects, of course, are fantastic, and the scenes in the beleaguered school and in Stryker's secret base under Alkali Lake (where Wolverine finally learns the truth about himself--or at least part of it) are non-stop thrill-a-minute action told with wonderful pace and careful attention to necessary exposition. Magneto displays once again the flashes of decency that make him one of the most intriguing of Marvel villains. And, of course, Xavier and his team are splendid. This film has convinced me that I definitely want the X-Men to have shelf space in my DVD collection, and I'll be adding both it and its predecessor as soon as I can.

2) Way better than the first   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
Super hero movies can be rather tough to watch. They are either very good (Superman) or very bad (The Hulk). X-Men 2, is probably my favorite Super Hero film. It doesn't even compare to the first movie. That is so rare for a sequel. Aside from Halle Berry, the rest of the cast is enjoyable and fun to watch. We really get to delve deeper into their universe and deeper into certain characters. We learn more about Wolverine, Prof X, and Jean Grey, just some of my favorite characters. Nightcrawler is also a fun new character. The plot is quite interesting and engaging. Once the film gets going, there is plenty of suspense and action and romantic intrigue. Its a perfectly paced film and, like I mentioned, leaps and bounds better than X-Men.

3) Entertainment X   [Rating: 4 out of 5]
This film maintains the standard set by its predecessor. The secret of both the first two movies is giving Sir Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart plenty of screen time. Notionally Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is the lead character, and he is good, but it is the sometime Shakespearean actors who give these films the touch of class that many comic strip films lack. Add in the ever reliable Brian Cox and you actually have a classy cast. My favourite scene is Magneto's escape from his plastic prison, which is perhaps the highpoint of the film. This scene looks as if its came straight from the comic book form and it works perfectly on film as well. Bryan Singer, who also directed the first film, keeps the excitement levels high throughout, without going completely over the top. I felt the film was a little to long, but that aside, I found it an entertaining film that holds up to repeated viewings.

4) Well Handled Superhero Movie   [Rating: 5 out of 5]
I enjoyed the original X-Men movie, but it doesn't hold a candle to this sequel. The script for X2 was great, as far as movies of this genre are concerned. It did what the original X-Men comics did quite well; portray prejudice in a unique fashion. Ian Mckellen is absolutely perfect as Magneto; one of my favorite villains ever. The special effects are also quite good, right up there with just about any great SFX movie I've ever seen. This movie was just handled superbly in every facet.

5) Funky Mountain Special   [Rating: 3 out of 5]
This is one of the best Marvel comics adaption of the X-men. Brian Singer is one of the best directors. Wolverine keeps the movie going and the action is non-stop. Siryn even makes an appearance.