The critic consesnsus is: Tightly scripted, solidly acted, and impressively ambitious, X2: X-Men United is bigger and better than its predecessor -- and a benchmark for comic sequels in general.. What reviews supported this critic consensus?
1. As irresistible as movie-theater popcorn -- a lavish, reasonably intelligent, well-acted sequel with kick-butt effects that outdoes its predecessor, 2000's X-Men, in almost every department.
2. A fantastic sequel with kinetic action scenes and a thirst for the next chapter in the series.
3. The best new addition to the corp is Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler. His pointy ears, yellow eyes, and blue skin make him the most creepily beautiful presence in the pageant.
4. Where X-Men was often restrained, X2 soars, and it's a much better film for it.
5. ...once you strip away the fact that the endeavor is mismanaged and lacks essential treasures, it has quite a few decent isolated scenes...
6. I felt it low-grade boredom, especially when the characters began to talk.
7. Best of all, this is a film which excites the eye without numbing the brain.
8. X2 ...is what the first film should have been; it's not a comic adaptation, it's a sci-fi film that stands on its own merit.
9. A summer firecracker.
10. With X2, our modern day movie superheroes have evolved. They are as human as they have ever been, and the more human they get, the more exciting they are to watch.