Critic Reviews
X2: X-Men United (2003) Rank 3 Reviews
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Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum)
X2 sparkles with a lightness of spirit that was missing from ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Entertainment Weekly (Lisa Schwarzbaum)
Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
It also boosts the punch of the movie that so many of its action scenes evoke the Iraqi War news footage of the past month, and the "X-Men" premise -- people persecuted because their difference makes them seem threatening -- carries even more relevancy ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Seattle Post-Intelligencer (William Arnold)
San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
Stuffed with esoteric detail for the sake of pleasing fans of the Marvel Comics series, the movie is overplotted, a soulless maze of special effects and relentless action.
Director Bryan Singer lends the film a grave and portentous tone, for at the ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
San Francisco Chronicle (Mick LaSalle)
Entertainment Spy (Andrew Dignan)
A funny thing happened after the studios stopped counting all their toy revenues and cereal tie-ins. Apparently someone sat down and actually realized there was more to these films than spandex and CGI and miracle upon miracle, actually treated this ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Entertainment Spy (Andrew Dignan)
Swimming to Casablanca - sprint reviews
Moose Hole (Joseph Kastner)
X2 exceeds all expectations not only by successfully kicking off the summer with an exuberant bang but by vastly surpassing its modestly disappointing predecessor. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Moose Hole (Joseph Kastner)
Sun Newspapers of Cleveland (Gerry Shamray)
X2 perfectly marks the mutant spot. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Sun Newspapers of Cleveland (Gerry Shamray)
Jam! Movies (Steve Tilley)
Singer has made a fast, furious and sometimes funny superhero flick that should appeal to most anyone. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Jam! Movies (Steve Tilley)
Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Brisk and involving with a streamlined forward propulsion, it's the kind of superhero movie we want if we have to have superhero movies at all. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Empire Magazine (Chris Hewitt (UK))
A truly great genre sequel. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Empire Magazine (Chris Hewitt (UK))
www.susangranger.com (Susan Granger)
With a nod to 'The Empire Strikes Back,' this is an exciting, action-packed superhero saga with a timely message about tolerance and sacrifice. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at www.susangranger.com (Susan Granger)
Movie Addict (John Ulmer)
The budget is bigger, the cast is larger, the story is deeper, the movie is better... ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Movie Addict (John Ulmer)
Needcoffee.com (Widgett Walls)
This is a welcome change after the mediocrity of Spider-Man and the outright garbage of Daredevil . ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Needcoffee.com (Widgett Walls)
Projectionist (Sean Caszatt)
Natural Born Viewers (James Chappell)
Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Singer has assembled a fabulous cast that guarantees both gravitas and believability. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Rochester Democrat and Chronicle (Jack Garner)
Empire Movies (Brendan Cullin)
Dark Horizons (Garth Franklin)
Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
The Marvel age of cinema has truly arrived. 'Nuff said. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Orlando Weekly (Steve Schneider)
Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Just plain smart, rip-roaring summertime cinematic fun. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Austin Chronicle (Marc Savlov)
Supercala.com (Paul Salfen)
X2 has everything fans could want in a sequel! ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Supercala.com (Paul Salfen)
Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Daniel M. Kimmel)
[T]his is a dazzling bit of comic book adaptation, but it never insults the intelligence. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Worcester Telegram & Gazette (Daniel M. Kimmel)
Jam! Movies (Bruce Kirkland)
It is fun, it is explosive, but it is not a classic, not even in the comic-book genre. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Jam! Movies (Bruce Kirkland)
Boxoffice Magazine (Wade Major)
That rarest of action films, devoid of clichés and surprisingly attentive to the humanity of its characters. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Boxoffice Magazine (Wade Major)
Radio Free Entertainment (Andrew Manning)
Full of action, babes, story, and style--now just axe about half the cast so we can have some focus. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Radio Free Entertainment (Andrew Manning)
Jam! Movies (Drew McAnulty)
Like the original, X2 succeeds in that neither the writers nor actors treat the comic-book material, like, well, a comic book. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Jam! Movies (Drew McAnulty)
Moviehole (Clint Morris)
"Sit down", "Shut Up" and "Hang On", because Marvel's indifferent crew of culminary power are back, and they're bigger, badder and super-charged with razzle dazzle glase ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Moviehole (Clint Morris)
Movies for Guys (--)
Film Snobs (Jimmy O)
Singer not only creates a compelling story with strong characters, but he's also able to improve upon the original by bringing the civil rights subtext into a post-9/11 perspective. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Film Snobs (Jimmy O)
Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)
Exciting, fast-paced, and avoids most of the pitfalls of taking itself too seriously. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Goatdog's Movies (Michael W. Phillips, Jr.)
Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
For once, the trailers don't lie. This is really good – better than the first, actually, and maybe even in the same company as Spider-Man . ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Planet Sick-Boy (Jon Popick)
JoBlo's Movie Emporium (JoBlo)
Get ready for the first true cinematic blast of the summer! ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at JoBlo's Movie Emporium (JoBlo)
Film Snobs (Stephen Himes)
Stryker's agents crashing the Mutant school look just like the INS officers retrieving Elian Gonzalez ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Film Snobs (Stephen Himes)
Netflix (James Rocchi)
Superhero sequel has more action, bigger stakes and a sprawling cast, adding up to big-time popcorn satisfaction. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Netflix (James Rocchi)
Mediasharx (Dustin Gast)
GamePro (Star Dingo)
eFilmCritic.com (Scott Weinberg)
Big-budget, crowd-pleasing, multiplex material that doesn't insult your intelligence is a rare commodity these days, so I have no problem at all encouraging you to drop eight bucks on this one. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at eFilmCritic.com (Scott Weinberg)
Movieman's Guide to the Movies (Brian Oliver)
ShowBIZ Data (--)
King's Room (Paul Perkins)
This is Lancashire (--)
Monkeyboy Review (--)
CinemaSpeak.com (Curtis Raines)
ViewLondon (Matthew Turner)
Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Brisk and involving with a streamlined forward propulsion, it's the kind of superhero movie we want if we have to have superhero movies at all. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Los Angeles Times (Kenneth Turan)
Film Threat (Clint Morris)
Sit down, Shut Up and Hang On, because Marvel's indifferent crew of uncanny power are back, and they're bigger, badder and super-charged. Let the fun begin. Again. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Film Threat (Clint Morris)
Reel McCoy (Patrick McCoy)
Slate (David Edelstein)
My chief complaint is that these mutants are a little--well, vanilla. I wish the X-Men had a touch of kinkiness to go with their weird abilities. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Slate (David Edelstein)
MovieWeb (Carl Lazarevic)
Variety (Todd McCarthy)
About twice as good as the original...bigger and more ambitious in every respect, from its action and visceral qualities to its themes. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Variety (Todd McCarthy)
The Onion (A.V. Club) (Keith Phipps)
Directed with depth, efficiency, and wit by Bryan Singer, the film suffered only from a tendency to seem like a setup for an even bigger movie...Fortunately, bigger usually equals better here, and when it doesn't, it equals just as good. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at The Onion (A.V. Club) (Keith Phipps)
BeyondHollywood.com
Apollo Guide (Terri Clark)
Thanks to ample action, a stellar cast, amazing effects and a storyline that’s solid without being convoluted, it’s Xcellent entertainment. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Apollo Guide (Terri Clark)
Premiere Magazine (Glenn Kenny)
3 Black Chicks Review Flicks
Movie Gazette Review (Gary Panton)
DVDBeaver.com - Review (Gary W. Tooze)
Reviewguy Online (Sean Chandler)
Reel Film Reviews (David Nusair)
Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
X2 is probably going to be the dividing point between the fans of the comic book and those that are just along for the ride. If you're a fan, (and I am a passive fan, i.e. not hardcore), you will relish the in-jokes, cameo appearances, characters who will ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Qwipster's Movie Reviews (Vince Leo)
JoBlo.com's DVD Clinic
The World's Greatest Critic! (J.C. Maçek III)
This is Local London (Rob Carnevale)
Movie Insider (Lynda Lin)
Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Sports enough cool characters and exhilarating set pieces to make you sit tight through the dull bits and tolerate most of the superficial silliness. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Los Angeles Daily News (Glenn Whipp)
Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) (Jeffrey Westhoff)
While it lacks Spider-Man's emotional wallop, X2: X-Men United represents the purest translation of comic book action to the big screen. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL) (Jeffrey Westhoff)
UK Critic (Ian Waldron-Mantgani)
Parallels to 9/11, John Ashcroft, the Patriot Act and the rest of the Bush administration's racist thuggery are obvious; the movie creates a stirring tide of activist force. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at UK Critic (Ian Waldron-Mantgani)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
As it is, most of X2's action is restricted to the Northeast Corridor, with a climactic face-off in the western Rockies, where, in typical blockbuster fashion, everything goes kablooey and ka-bam. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Premiere Magazine (Glenn Kenny)
It's by far the best movie adaptation of a comic book, ever. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Premiere Magazine (Glenn Kenny)
Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
The primary improvement over the first film ... is that this one is simply more enjoyable with less heavy lifting. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Detroit Free Press (Terry Lawson)
Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
It would have been nice to see more character development, but if quirks and subplots for each of the X-Men were explored, that would take a 15-hour movie. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Arizona Daily Star (Phil Villarreal)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Visually, X2 is a sight to behold, with impressive special effects and a dynamic sense of place. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Modamag.com (Kage Alan)
MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
It's a funny, profound and deeply moving moment, young Drake realizing that his life in the eyes of his parents will never live up to their more modest expectations. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at MovieFreak.com (Sara M. Fetters)
Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) (Linda Cook)
My goodness, are these X-Men ever busy! ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Quad City Times (Davenport, IA) (Linda Cook)
rec.arts.movies.reviews (Michael J. Gold)
The Sci-Fi Movie Page
Newsday (John Anderson)
Very smart, if way too long. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Newsday (John Anderson)
Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
May be the best super-hero movie yet made. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Combustible Celluloid (Jeffrey M. Anderson)
Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)
'Grandes efectos especiales, una estupenda historia y acción sin límites. Ahora, todos somos mutantes' ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Moviola (Jorge Avila Andrade)
ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Once you get past issues related to trying to figure out who everyone is, how they relate to one another, and what their powers are, the movie turns out to be pretty entertaining. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at ReelViews (James Berardinelli)
Movie Habit (Ryan Hurtig)
Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) (Bob Bloom)
Director Bryan Singer ups the ante in X2, introducing new characters and creating plot lines that will lead to future adventures. Meanwhile, he accelerates the action so the movie's 134 minutes speed by like an express train. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Journal and Courier (Lafayette, IN) (Bob Bloom)
Hollywood.com (Kit Bowen)
X2: X-Men United is a thoroughly intriguing sequel in the X-Men series, a pure adrenaline ride. But with a weighty--and very important--message attached, the film also makes you think. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Hollywood.com (Kit Bowen)
Houston Community Newspapers (Gary Brown)
With its top-notch special effects, X2 promises to be a real crowd-pleaser. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Houston Community Newspapers (Gary Brown)
Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
As far as heavily hyped, commercially savvy, slickly produced blockbuster extravaganzas go, this one's a keeper. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Creative Loafing (Matt Brunson)
Urban Tulsa Weekly (Cory Cheney)
X2 ...is what the first film should have been; it’s not a comic adaptation, it’s a sci-fi film that stands on its own merit. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Urban Tulsa Weekly (Cory Cheney)
Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
A sleek, rousing contraption, a comic-book movie with a sense of playfulness, a welcome streak of humor and just the right touch of gravity. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
With so many people running around in spandex and capes, the movie begins to resemble a costume ball. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Sun Publications (Chicago, IL) (Josh Larsen)
Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
That rarity among sequels, a follow-up with as much artistic integrity, complexity, humor and well-designed action as the original. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Charlotte Observer (Lawrence Toppman)
Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
The best approach is to just kick back and enjoy the ride. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Minneapolis Star Tribune (Jeff Strickler)
Movie Eye (Frank Ochieng)
X2: X-Men United is sure to appeal to the masses on a super-charged visceral level. Overall, this favorable farfetched fable diligently spins a web of pure inventive flashiness ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Movie Eye (Frank Ochieng)
National Post (Katrina Onstad)
Turns out it is possible to be big without being stupid. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at National Post (Katrina Onstad)
Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Jonathan R. Perry)
One of those rare superior sequels — a dark, often exhilarating and occasionally even thoughtful improvement on its portable plastic predecessor. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Tyler Morning Telegraph (Texas) (Jonathan R. Perry)
Cinema-Scene.com (David Perry)
MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)
... has more subplots going than your average daytime soap operas, but with outcast superheroes instead of rich folk! In fact, it follows very closely the kind of interrelationships and characterization that made the X-men comic books popular for so long. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at MovieCrypt.com (Kevin A. Ranson)
Kinnopio's Movie Reviews (--)
Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
The special effects have definitely improved. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Philadelphia Inquirer (Steven Rea)
Popcorn Gallery (Shannon Patrick Sullivan)
Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
A comic-book movie with a sense of playfulness, a welcome streak of humor and just the right touch of gravity. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Miami Herald (Rene Rodriguez)
State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) (Nick Rogers)
Just like its mutant characters differ from humans, the X-Men franchise differs from most other comic-book cash cows. It’s sadder, saucier and significantly smarter. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at State Journal-Register (Springfield, IL) (Nick Rogers)
ReelMovieCritic.com (Pamela D. Singleton)
Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
Each 10- or 15-minute section of the film feels like an issue of a comic book, how it jumps head-long into each new action scenario, rolls around in it, and then dashes off... ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Fantastica Daily (Mervius)
Talking Pictures (U.S.) (Tony Toscano)
Is the sequel worth the 3-year wait and the ticket price in? The answer is “definitely yes.” ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Talking Pictures (U.S.) (Tony Toscano)
Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
No actor has ever inhabited the spirit of a comic character the way Hugh Jackman has. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Aisle Seat (Mike McGranaghan)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
A summer firecracker. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
LeisureSuit Media
Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
Overflowing with deep characters in compelling relationships, rich with the always-timely message about bigotry and acceptance, and... delivers more action and excitement than in the first round. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Salt Lake Tribune (Sean Means)
Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
Possibly one of the best superhero franchises in history, [i]X2[/i] is thoroughly engaging, well acted and well plotted. Bryan Singer is a master of the genre. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Oscar Guy (Wesley Lovell)
Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
A wonderfully populated adventure, with the franchise even more compelling the second time out because of our familiarity with the characters. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Seattle Times (Moira MacDonald)
JackassCritics.com (Grim Ringler)
Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
A summer firecracker. It's also a tribute to outcasts -- teens, gays, minorities, even Dixie Chicks. It's not without thought or feeling, except when its mind gets bent by the gods of box office. Then it's craven and empty. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Rolling Stone (Peter Travers)
Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) (Greg Maki)
... A virtual how-to for superhero sequels ... ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Star-Democrat (Easton, MD) (Greg Maki)
Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
Perhaps in the next generation a mutant will appear named Scribbler, who can write a better screenplay for them. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Chicago Sun-Times (Roger Ebert)
New York Post (Lou Lumenick)
As irresistible as movie-theater popcorn - a lavish, reasonably intelligent, well-acted sequel with kick-butt effects that outdoes its predecessor, 2000's "X-Men," in almost every department. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at New York Post (Lou Lumenick)
SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
The director allows time, within the action, to cultivate the spirits and souls of his heroes -- and even some of his villains. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at SPLICEDwire (Rob Blackwelder)
Chicago Tribune (Michael Wilmington)
This movie lets the characters and tropes borrowed from the original Stan Lee comic live and breathe. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Chicago Tribune (Michael Wilmington)
Reel.com (Tor Thorsen)
For most of its runtime, X2 has the indescribable x-factor of rollicking entertainment. ...read the complete X2: X-Men United movie review at Reel.com (Tor Thorsen)
Blogcritics - DVD review (Matt Paprocki)
DVDLard - Region 2 DVD Review
DVDFanatic.com (DVD Fanatic (Mark Zlotnick))
CultureDose.net (Chris Madsen)
Home Theater Info DVD Review
Entertainment Zone Review (Michelle Snow)
Christian Spotlight on the Movies
X-Fan's X2: The Movie Advance Review