X2: X-Men United (2003)
Singer's X-Men sequel is woven with strong elements from classic second-chapter movies.
A Sequel that Celebrates the Best Sequels We've Seen
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2025 Update: This review from the archives was first published in 2003 at the original Looking Closer with Jeffrey Overstreet website.
I had no notion yet that, when the third film was in production, I’d be invited to the set to watch Ian McKellan's Magneto face off with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in the woods on the edge of Vancouver, B.C. The years between 2001–2007 were so full of surprises as a result of readers discovering Looking Closer. Let that encourage you: Do what you love, and share it with others. You never know what might happen.
Of course, I had no notion yet that Brian Singer, as a director, would make headlines after the release of this film for very troubling reasons. That would change my relationship with this film, to some degree.
Film is a collaborative medium, though, and I'm still grateful for this movie. It is an exhibition of great artists doing excellent work and giving us a comic book superhero movie worth taking very seriously.
I sure with I could say the same about the movie that followed it.
I had no notion yet that, when the third film was in production, I’d be invited to the set to watch Ian McKellan's Magneto face off with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine in the woods on the edge of Vancouver, B.C. The years between 2001–2007 were so full of surprises as a result of readers discovering Looking Closer. Let that encourage you: Do what you love, and share it with others. You never know what might happen.
Of course, I had no notion yet that Brian Singer, as a director, would make headlines after the release of this film for very troubling reasons. That would change my relationship with this film, to some degree.
Film is a collaborative medium, though, and I'm still grateful for this movie. It is an exhibition of great artists doing excellent work and giving us a comic book superhero movie worth taking very seriously.
I sure with I could say the same about the movie that followed it.
You’ll think you’re watching a Star Trek film when X2:X-Men United opens. First, there are stars… and then the voice of a former Enterprise captain expounding upon mysteries and the future.
I doubt the resemblance is accidental. Echoes of Trek resound throughout Bryan Singer’s exhilarating, exhausting X-Men sequel — specifically, references to Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan.
And that’s not all.