Though it's impossible to talk about the X-Men franchise without acknowledging the importance of the first film on the formative years of the current comic book movie boom, it was surpassed in almost every way by its sequel. Singer was able to go stronger on storyline having already set the character foundation, and in resisting the urge to double-stuff with more new mutants, the director was able to focus more on the core of character and story. And introducing the key narrative element of humanity's suspicions of the mutants, as well as Wolverine's quest for his past was a master-stroke. The villain of the piece was skin-crawlingly unlikeable thanks to Brian Cox's performance, the key X-Men felt more comfortable in their skin, and the set-pieces were fitting for a film seeking to outdo its predecessor, and X2 remains one of the best sequels of all time. Best Moment Nightcrawler's attempted assassination of the President is a high point in a film that rarely drops. Worst Moment The silliness of Jean Grey not simply manipulating the X-Jet from inside it, as is clearly possible within the boundaries of her abilities (she's more powerful than Magneto after all, who can move an entire bridge while on it) is a slight black mark in X2's ledger. Oh, and Halle Berry again. Which is your favourite X-Men movie? Share your ranking in the comments thread below.
