--- title: "X2: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/x2/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/x2" critics_score: 70 critics_reviews: 15 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # X2 (2003): what the critics said Critics' score 70 from 15 reviews: 10 positive, 3 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics welcome X2 as an improvement on its predecessor, praising its more assured action and greater attention to the characters. Bryan Singer’s handling of the ensemble earns particular approval, as does his balance of spectacle, humour and melodrama. Praise clusters around the opening White House assault, Wolverine’s emotional depth and a cast that gives the superhero conflicts some weight. Ian McKellen and Alan Cumming receive repeated mentions for performances that bring wit and feeling to the larger story. The spread is wide, however, and even favourable reviews find the extended climax too dependent on effects. The anti-prejudice themes strike some critics as thoughtful and others as simplistic or insistent. The New Yorker finds the film tangled and overblown, while still enjoying Hugh Jackman’s understated humour. Slant Magazine is more broadly dismissive, though it makes an exception for McKellen’s comic delivery. ## Empire — William Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Thomas calls X2 a truly great genre sequel that improves on its predecessor. He especially praises Singer’s confident action direction and the way the ensemble’s powers and storylines are handled. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/x-men-2-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Susan King Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 27 November 2003. King finds X2 better than its predecessor and praises it as exciting, clever entertainment with heart and soul. She singles out the energized performances and the two-disc edition’s extensive extras. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-27-wk-video27-story.html) ## Radio Times — Andrew Collins Rating 4/5. Collins says the sequel builds on the original and delivers an exemplary, relentless comic-book action spectacle. He particularly praises the breathtaking opening assault on the White House. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-yann3v/x2/) ## Total Film — Total Film Rating 4/5. 1 May 2003. The review finds X2 bigger, bolder and better than its predecessor, coming close to meeting exceptionally high expectations. It praises the greater emotional depth, especially the exploration of Wolverine’s past and relationships. [Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/x-men-2-review/) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 2 May 2003. Ebert finds the film entertaining and engaging as a superhero story. He particularly praises its interesting characters. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/x2-x-men-united-2003) ## The AV Club — Keith Phipps Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 6 May 2003. Phipps finds the sequel bigger but generally better, praising how Singer balances melodrama with action and humor. He singles out the gifted cast, especially Ian McKellen, while noting that the finale’s effects begin to overwhelm the story and characters. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/x2-x-men-united-1798198583) ## Time Out — JWin Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). The review is positive, describing the sequel as energetic and rich in ideas. It singles out its momentum and abundance of ideas for praise. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/x2) ## The Guardian — Rob Mackie Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 7 November 2003. Mackie gives the film a favorable review, highlighting its gravitas and varied cast. He especially praises Alan Cumming’s addition as Nightcrawler and the franchise’s anti-prejudice themes. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2003/nov/07/dvdreviews.shopping2) ## Variety — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 28 April 2003. McCarthy finds the sequel substantially improved and expects it to perform strongly, though its extended climax and simplistic themes weaken the result. He praises the standout action and effects sequences, especially Mystique and Nightcrawler’s kinetic moments. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2003/film/awards/x2-1200542009/) ## Screen Daily — Mike Goodridge Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 29 April 2003. The accessible page identifies this as Mike Goodridge’s review, but its verdict is hidden behind the paywall. No specific praise or complaint is visible in the available text. [Read the review](https://www.screendaily.com/x2-x-men-united/4013113.article) ## The New York Times — A. O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 2 May 2003. The URL identifies a review of X2, but the blocked page provides no review text. The critic’s verdict and any specific praise or complaint cannot be verified. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/02/movies/film-review-good-vs-evil-with-marvelous-muscles.html) ## The New Yorker — Anthony Lane Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 4 May 2003. Lane finds X2 tangled and overblown, with its tolerance message pushed too insistently. He praises Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, especially the character’s understated humor. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2003/05/12/unusual-suspects) ## Slant Magazine — Jeremiah Kipp Rating 1.5/4. 24 April 2003. Kipp argues that the film fails in nearly every respect, despite its bleakly funny subversiveness. He praises Ian McKellen’s Magneto for delivering his dialogue with comic flair. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/x2-x-men-united/) ## Paste — Scott Wold Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). Scott Wold gives X2 an enthusiastic verdict, calling it an awesome ensemble action movie that rocks. He singles out the opening sequence, the returning cast, and Alan Cumming and Brian Cox’s performances for praise. [Read the review](https://www.pastemagazine.com/movies/x-men/x-men-movies-in-order) ## Eye for Film — Jennie Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 27 June 2007. Kermode finds the sequel uneven but ultimately worthwhile, with a sharper, more satisfying plot as it progresses. She singles out Alan Cumming’s Nightcrawler for restoring the film’s emotional and political force. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/x-men-2-film-review-by-jennie-kermode) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/x2.md