Oh, and there’s also a credit for Dr. Sebastian Shaw. I missed it in the movie, but I guess he was in the TV debate with Hank McCoy.
I read somewhere else that while the theme for the first movie seemed to be the rights of others, the theme of X2 was closer to homosexuality - or more accurately, accepting who you are.
Bobby’s mother asks him if he’s ever tried “not being a mutant”, Stryker demanded that Professor Xavier “heal” his son from his mutant abilities and when Nightcrawler asks Mystique why she simply doesn’t remain in disguise and blend in with the humans, she replies “we shouldn’t have to”. It’s clearly a movie about how people have to accept who they are - you shouldn’t have to hide because you’re different.
I think I’ve mentioned this in another thread, but you’ll notice that in Stryker’s lab, there’s an x-ray board with several x-rays on it. One of those x-rays looks suspiciously like the wing of Angel/Archangel/Warren Worthington III - one of the original X-men in the comics. It might be a teaser for future films, or it could just be something for us fanboys/girls to act all knowledgeable about 
I think Jubilee was one of the X-kids who was captured. If you watch the ending again, I believe that she’s the kid with the blanket wrapped around her body (and why wasn’t she sharing the blanket with the other kids? There was SNOW for christsakes! Selfish little thing)
I thought this was a problem in the movie as well. When I saw the trailer with her and Bobby kissing, I figured that he’d just created a thin layer of moisture between them or something, so that their skins didn’t really touch. But it seems to me that she’s just been toned down WAAAAYYY too much.
I can’t wait until Bryan Singer decides that it’s time to bring in Ms Marvel for Rogue…
Ian McKellen certainly saw this - he was quoted as saying as much during a press junket, and indicated it was one of the reasons for his fondness of the project.
As for Easter eggs, someone on Ain’t it Cool News claimed that one of Stryker’s computer files (besides a profile of Remy LeBeau) was one for Muir Island.
I wonder if the ending indicates that Fox is willing to shell out for X3?
That ending…
Xavier pauses for a moment, lost in (telepathic?) thought. Then he smiles and says, “It’s going to be all right.”
Last shot is over the waters where Jean drowned. Something indistinct seems vaguely visible under the water.What do you think they’re trying to suggest? Something about Jean?
Jomo - Oh yeah. Big time. gmarkstephens and I were practically giddy about this development. Do a google search on Xmen and Phoenix.
Dude.
Nightcrawler.
DUDE.
Just got back from seeing it, the movie was freakin’ sweet. The opening sequence was fantastic. Sorry if I am hyjacking, but what’s the deal with Pheonix. What is her story, if anyone could help me understand, that’d be great.
Damn, now that I saw this movie, I’m going to try and find the comic books.
Just got back from seeing it, the movie was freakin’ sweet. The opening sequence was fantastic. Sorry if I am hyjacking, but what’s the deal with Pheonix. What is her story, if anyone could help me understand, that’d be great.
Damn, now that I saw this movie, I’m going to try and find the comic books.
Didn’t Sen. Kelley died in the first movie?
UmmmmRandMcna;;y, that was Mystique. I thought that scence with the eyes going yellow made it clear…also the fact the he died last movie, as you said.
This movie is f*cking fantastic! That last scene with the (MAJOR SPOILER)
OK, that post got all screwed out of whack, let’s try again.
SPOILER
The last scene with the phoenix under the water was so cool. I saw it, the credits started, and all I could say was “Holy f*ck!”
Nightcrawler was awesome, and that one scene with Colossus becoming all metal had me in shivers. I noticed the Jubilee reference (she was in the jail cell, they said her name) but not the Sentials one, where was it? I also didn’t see the x-ray of the wings, have to look for it next time I see it (which will hopefully be as soon as possible.)
Man, oh man, I want the third movei NOW! Not two years from now when it probably will be.
Simply put, I liked the movie. But I still think that (for me, at least) it’s an ultimately forgettable movie (kinda like the first one, which I saw early on in its theatrical run and not since). It didn’t do anything really wrong, but at least for me it didn’t do anything that made it stand out and make me want to watch it over and over.
I do like that they kept the little humorous touches like from the first one, such as Wolverine’s “Holy shit!” (although I don’t think they topped “prove you’re you” “you’re a dick”).
How was Senator Kelly still in this movie? Was it somehow kept a secret from the entire world that he died in the first movie? Yes it technically wasn’t him, but wouldn’t people notice he was supposed to be dead? And if people know, wouldn’t they wonder when he all of a sudden shows up?
And yes, I too was interested in the perception of the film as anti-homophobic, especially when Xavier says something like “I can’t cure him, it’s not a disease, it’s just how he is”. I think it’s interesting for a commercial action film to discuss even lightly themes like that.
X3 was a contractual certainty, right? Of course, not knowing anything about the comic I was simply waiting for Jean to show up out of nowhere at the end.
BTW, how about the trailer for the remake of The Italian Job? Is that going to be any good or is it just going to be another Gone In 60 Seconds?
Backstory (comicbook version) to the major spoiler at the end of the movie can be found here.
He is dead. Nobody in the “outside world” knows about it. A perfect opportunity for a shapeshifter to infiltrate the government, no?
I got that impression too. But there’s very little that can be a permanent barrier between two lustful teenagers… 
Re: Senator Kelly: I think he was only “missing” for a day or two at most. Mystique is a BS artist as well as a shapeshifter, so she would have been able to give a plausible explanation for his absence when s/he returned to his office.
Nightcrawler f-ing RULES! It’s interesting what y’all are saying about a homosexuality theme, because I generally thought of the mutant/normal dichotomy as more of a racial theme. Not that I’m arguing, of course. But Friend had an interesting comment.
(Paraphrased) “Nightcrawler is one of the prime examples of the racism theme, because unlike Logan and all those others, there’s no way he can pass. He can’t just cover up one part of his anatomy, he can’t suppress his powers around normals; there’s just no disguising what he is. In fact, his family and community rejected him because they thought he was the devil. I mean, with the horns, and the tail, and the brimstone, and the blue skin…”
Me: “People make such snap judgements, don’t they!”
Friend: “Hahaha. But anyway, he’s the most clearcut example of someone that other people just can’t accept, because he looks like he’s the embodiment of everything they fear.”
The Scene:
An unnamed Colossus ushers all the younger kids through the bolthole, turns to Logan, and says, “I can help you.”
Anyone else get the urge to yell “Fastball Special!” besides me?
Hot diggety damn was this movie ripe with niggling little details for the fanboys. Most all of 'em already mentioned, I see. Teach me to wait and go to a 10PM showing.
Unless I missed something (and I may well have, after just the one viewing) what you was the schematic/X-ray of Lady Deathstrike’s fingernail blades, not any kind of wings.
But I’ll go back for another viewing (all for the sake of fighting ignorance, y’unnerstand) and look more closely. Thanks for the excuse.
And it’s been mentioned, but I feel it bears repeating:
Without the restrictions of the Comics Code Authority, Wolverine kicks ass and takes names in a big friggin’ way. I was mildly surprised when he stuck the guard in the kitchen to the fridge.
By the time he shredded the guy’s head into bacon strips out in the hallway, I was in awe. This was what the Weapon-X project wanted to create, allrighty.
Day-um. But I’m going back to a matinee. That thater was packed tonight. I expected to see maybe a double handful of mid-thirties comic geeks and their SOs (which would be us) and some younger fans of the cartoons. You couldn’t breathe deeply without bumpin’ somebody.
Nightcrawler was sweet in so many ways. Blinking. That blue smoke thing when he blinked. The tattoos. The Sam Jackson-esque bible-quoting, the German accent, the freaking tele-freaking-porting!
Sweeeeet.
d-redguy, thanks for the Phoenix link. I know about the Phoenix, but my husband and I could not exactly remember the ENTIRE story.
Best movie quote: [Magneto to Pyro] “You’re a god among insects.”
I loved the entire movie, but I would have to say that the scene that was like “WHOA”, hands down was: (SPOILER)
When Magneto breaks out of prison. That was some of the coolest stuff I’ve ever seen. Well, the CONCEPT was just over the top awesome. Gives a whole new spin to “pumping iron”.
Also interesting: Mystique has the hots for Wolverwine! :eek:
Now, correct if I’m wrong but isn’t Mystique actually Jean’s mother? Or was that fact just a cartoon fact, distorted from the actual comic book story line.
Will SOMEONE please please please tell where the sentinel reference is in the movie? I missed it. 
Lastly, Jublilee was most definitely in the group of students with the Professor at the end. She was the one sitting closest to him. She was kinda “punked out” in some black lace gloves with the fingers cut out of them.
Colossus was a BEAST and I wished so desperately that they would have integrated him into more of the movie.
DEVA - No prob!
I loved the way Magneto busts out of prison, too. Like Skeezix said, w/o the CCA tying their hands, the characters get to be, well, more “in character”. Thus the viciousness and blatant disregard for human life that Magneto displays is perfect.
I saw that too. Loved it. In the comic, there was always some sexual tension when they met up, on or off the battlefield. Lotso’ history there.
I missed the Sentinel reference too. But if you put together all the other stuff that happens, it certainly isn’t a stretch to get there from here. SENTINELS!!! WOO HOO!!!
Mystique was actually Rogue’s “adoptive” mother, for a time. It was during this time that Rogue stole her powers from Ms. Marvel, IIRC.
I absolutely loved the first X-Men film despite never really having read the comic books (although I have basic familiarity with the characters and major plotlines). Sure, it had relatively weak special effects, a silly plot, and the occasional groaner, but it made up for it with fantastic characterization and some stellar acting. I really liked the moral ambiguity angle as well- it’s rare that you see a popcorn flick with more sides than the usual “Good” and “Evil.”
X2 was everything good about X-Men, taken to the next level, with the chaff burned away.
SPOILERS:
Amazing intro sequence- Nightcrawler RULES. I’m sure that it didn’t really boast that much more CGI or wire-fu than your average scifi fight scene these days, but MAN, was it done with style. I got the feeling that the filmmakers really understood that a special effects shot didn’t have to be a freaking tech demo to look and sound good.
Magneto’s escape scene… man. It really strains credibility when you think about it (somehow I doubt there’s anywhere near that much iron in blood) but just looks so darn cool. I particularly love how casual he is while using his powers, nicely contrasting with the grimaces and arm-waving concentration of some of the other mutants.
The moral ambiguity factor is kicked up a notch here, as mutants seem to switch sides constantly, due to circumstance, personal choice, and coercion. At the same time, the dark side of humanity is introduced in a way so that you can’t help but wonder if Magneto doesn’t have the right idea.
Wolvie vs. Lady Deathstrike- wow. I’ve never seen so many impalings in a five minute span.
All the little subtle jokes and nuances: Mystique flipping the soldiers the bird, Magneto tapping his helmet, the banter between Wolverine and Cyclops, the references to “the Liberty Island incident,” the Phoenix, the wonderful character moments between Magneto and Mystique, etc.
I think the best thing I can say about X2 right now is this: I really, REALLY want to see it again. Right now.
DEVA, I think you’re misremembering the bit from the comics, namely that Mystique was allegedly Rogue’s mother. Or possibly Nightcrawler’s. Or mebbe both.
See, she and Rogue both had that white skunk stripe of hair, so they had to be related. And she and Kurt both had blue skin, so they had to be related… Yeesh.
For meself, I was happy that none of that story idea made it onto the big screen. What little of it I do recall from the comics was contrived and forced, at best, and just plain a waste of ink, at worst.
Couple more things I’m happy with:
Logan’s enhanced senses.
This was handled pretty well in the first flick as well, actually. They were alluded to, but we (the audience) were never beaten over the head with a five minute explanation/exposition, as both the comics and the cartoons were wont to do.
[sub]But shouldn’t he have been able to tell that “Jean” was really Mystique quicker than that? Her scent didn’t fool him the first time she impersonated a teammate.[/sub]
The Elimination of Lady Deathstrike as a returning character, and the non-appearance of Sabretooth.
Admittedly, Wolverine has always shared the same problems as Superman, when it comes to opponents. When the guy is indestructable, unkillable, and generally the unstoppable force, it’s tough to create a decent badguy for him. However, the worst solution to this problem is creating a villain with nearly the exact same abilities.
[sub]Hey, what’s this month’s issue of X-Men?
Oh, it’s another 32 pages of Logan and Creed slicing each other up and not quite bleeding to death.[/sub]
That can be done well (and was done in much better fashion here than in the first movie, IMO) but it gets old rather quickly, too.
A tangibly visible use of Xavier’s abilities.
“Yeah, yeah, he can read minds. So what else ya got?” Granted, when this first happened, I was afraid it was gonna be the prelude to a Matrix-style fight scene. I was pleasantly suprised to be proven wrong.
I was pleased to see them touch on Kitty Pride a little more. If/When the third movie comes out, I hope they use her as a full-on character. I always wanted her powers…