X2, Attack of Tedium. Sequels are a dangerous game, as we all know. X2 takes up right where the X-Men left off three years ago. The problem is I'd forgotten a lot of the plot subtleties. Okay, I'd forgotten most of the plot, period. And X2 just didn't hold my attention.

X2 goes nowhere and does nothing. All the characters are back. Magneto is in a big plastic prison since he can control anything metal. Mystique is still incredibly sexy in blue body paint and nothing else--educators know that assignments in blue folders always get As! Halle Berry still conjures bad weather with the milking of her eyes, and Hugh Jackman is still ruggedly handsome and somewhat outcast as Wolverine.

There is little plot here, just an abundance of special effects and action sequences. There's still tension between Dr. Jean Grey and her two suitors, and Anna Paquin's Rogue is still struggling with love--it's hard to kiss a girl who will suck the life out of you.

Alan Cumming is a pleasing addition to the cast, as Kurt Wagner or Nightcrawler--he's also dressed in blue! He starts out the movie with an action-intensive scene where he attacks the White House. It's an impressive start that keeps you on the edge of the seat. But after quite an opening, Nightcrawler takes a back seat for the rest of the movie. There's a hint of history and depth to his character, but it's all glossed over. One could speculate that those attracted to this movie don't require character development or substance. And LOTS of people are attracted to this movie. Tickets this weekend were sold out right through Sunday!

There's a new villain on the picture, too, named General Stryker. He's a military monster who is so overcome with anger at the fate of his own son that he exploits his power, punishing anyone he can to assuage his grief.

Two things for sure: At 124 minutes, X2 is far too long and there most certainly will be an X3. I would recommend a quick look back over X-Men prior to seeing X2, but I'm not convinced that will help. This movie is all about impressive stunts and I'm much more of a plot person.

Perhaps the fault is mine. The material, is, afterall, a comic book. Depth and plot development isn't usually associated with brightly colored and crudely rendered drawings.

I liked isolated sections of X2, but overall I found myself enduring rather than enjoying the film. Basically, X2 is rather tedious.


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