Some comic-book movies try too hard to be all dark (hey, Daredevil). Others camp it up way too much (what's up Batman & Robin?). The X-Men franchise, however, has gone two for two in getting it just right. In this latest predicament, X-Men leader Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his faithful crew must thwart evil-doing military leader Brian Cox's plan to sabotage the mutants' existence.
And since all of the setting up of what's what and who's who took place in the first one, there's plenty of room for ass-kickin' fighting and even ass-kickinger special effects. (There are many, but Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler and his teleportation ability is exceptionally groovy.) The expanded cast and cameos will keep fans drooling, but the film never feels over-packed as we get a little history on Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and setups for a few characters for interesting turns in future films (how you doin' Jean Grey?). Which we're ready for right about now!