mandragora

In a nutshell it rocks!

Although in some ways I prefer the first one. Why? Well, there was no half-naked Wolverine for a start (hopelessly shallow, I know). Also, I rather liked the Logan/Rogue relationship in X-Men 1, and there wasn't much to satisfy the shipper in me the Part the Second.

That said, I think 2 is a better film overall, and more balanced between the various mutants.

Alan Cummings' Nightcrawler was a delight, and the teleportation ability was marvellously portrayed. Nightcrawler attacking the Whitehouse was an adrenaline-filled start to the film.

Then onto Xavier's school and the return of Logan. Rogue still has a crush on Logan, and I think he rather likes it. He still thinks of her as a kid (which she still is) but he was definitely interested in how she and Bobby could, you know, kiss. And stuff. :g: I also really liked Bobby, although I can't see him lasting with Rogue long-term. He's too 'nice' for her, I suspect.

St John, aka Pyro - ouch! Tragedy in the making. Also the making of a villain, a la Lex. There was some attempt to show why, but it felt a bit rushed, due to the exigencies of a 2 hour movie.

Cyclops' role was shorter than in 1, but very telling and the relationship between he and Jean was very interesting. That Scott loves her beyond anything was never in doubt, and his grief at the end was incredibly moving. But does she love him as strongly? I'm not sure. I have no doubt that she does love him, it's the intensity of the love I wonder about.

Her attraction to Logan was palpable and she's very definitely tempted by him. She resisted manfully. Or even womanfully. I liked her much more than in 1, felt much more sympatico to her. There was a lump in my throat when she sacrificed herself, even as I was thinking to myself that the next movie will feature the rebirth of the Phoenix. I'm damn glad that she's not gone forever, whereas in X-Men 1 I would have been indifferent if she'd died at the end.

Logan was Logan. Yum. His grief for Jean, and the embrace with Scott was affecting and very in character for them both. It didn't really set my slashy heart abeating, though, probably because I'm rather invested in Logan/Rogue (once Rogue has grown up). That said, I could go for a Scott/Jean/Logan threesome. :g:

Took careful note of the Logan/Mystique scene, when she morfs from Jean, into Storm, into Rogue. Thought Logan's reaction to 'Rogue' was interesting. He was shocked, but Mystique is a pretty good judge of character IMO and has she possibly noted a subliminal attraction on the part of Logan to Rogue? One that he's not aware of? It's pretty obvious that he finds Storm attractive, and obviously is at least infatuated with Jean.

Rogue I adore. Loved that she's learning to control her powers and that she flew the ship to save the 'adults'. Even if she flew the ship really badly. Her stopping Pyro was excellently done.

Xavier and Magneto. What a beautifully tragic relationship. Rather reminds me of how Clark and Lex may end up. Sniffle.

Oh, there was just so much to talk about in the film. Excellently done, I thought.

To sum up, I'm definitely interested in seeing it again.