Nailbiting ... Lady Deathstrike gives a pointed performance in the sharp action flick X2: X-Men, in which the mutants must strive to save their own kind.

Action is X-cellent
X2: X-Men

Stars Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Brian Cox, Anna Paquin. Rated M

Reviewer :: Pte Simone Heyer

We love a much-anticipated sequel. So it was with much excitement and fervour I headed to the cinema, not at all put off by the nay-sayers and givers of negative reviews.

I was not disappointed. X-Men 2 was action right from the onset.

While mutants are getting around doing all sorts of bad things seemingly under the control of someone far more dastardly, the heads of the country are trying to reach an agreement where humans and mutants can live together in peace.

But are the country’s leaders also part of the plot to ensure the survival of only one race?

We see the mutants from both sides of the fence come together in a desperate attempt to save their kind.

Everybody’s favourites are back, Storm, Xavier, Magneto and Mystique – the chick who can warp into other forms – as well as the lovely Wolverine who meets his match in a lady as hard as nails. An unusual character is introduced too, that, though hideous on the eye, turns out to be quite friendly and handy.

Wolverine learns more about his life pre-Xavier, and it’s not all good.

To be honest, there’s not too much in the plot – baddies and goodies, camaraderie, fisticuffs and a slight twist for added suspense. The pure brilliance of the cast, costumes and flash special effects are spellbinding, more than making up for any plot shortfall.

They leave it well wide open at the end to bring on a third instalment – and why not, I say.

The only down point is that to stay abreast of what’s happening, you have to have seen the first movie. Not a problem for X-freaks, but be warned, if you take along someone who hasn’t seen it, you’ll be explaining the who, what and where for the whole film.

X-Men 2 will leave you wishing you had a bit of mutant in you.

Simone rates this movie 5 big Xs

You can view more than 100 other movie reviews by The Big Irish Git on his personal web site www.bigirishgit.com

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