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Order this DVD from Amazon.com
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X2:
X-Men United
(20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)
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| DVD
Release Date:
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November
25, 2003
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Length:
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134 mins.
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| Rated:
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PG-13
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| Format:
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Widescreen (2.40:1) Enhanced for 16x9 Televisions
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Audio:
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English
DTS 5.1, English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby 2.0, Spanish
Dolby 2.0
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| Subtitles:
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English, Spanish, Closed Captioned
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| Extras:
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Audio
Commentary by Director Bryan Singer and Cinematographer Tom
Sigel, Producers/Writers Commentary, "Nightcrawler
Attack" Interactive Multi-Angle Scene Study,
"Wolverine/Deathstrike Fight Rehearsal" In-Depth,
Behind-the-Scenes Exploration, "The Second Uncanny Issue of
X-Men": The Ultimate Making-of Documentary, "The
Secret Origin of X-Men": A Complete Anthology, "Nightcrawler
Reborn": The Adventure Before X2, "Introducing the
Incredible Nightcrawler" Character Study, "FX2"
Visual Effects Guide, Deleted/Extended Scenes, Still Galleries,
Theatrical Trailers
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X2: X-Men United is the second chapter
of Marvel Comics' X-Men series. In this chapter, following an assassination
attempt on the President of the United States, General William Stryker
(Brian Cox) sets out to rid the world of all mutants. Led by Professor
Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), the team that includes the likes of
Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), Jean Grey (Famke
Janssen), Cyclops (James Marsden), Rogue (Anna Paquin) and the newly
introduced Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming) must team up with their nemesis
Magneto (Ian McKellen) and his band of evil doers that includes the
vivacious Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos). The X-Men unite to do
battle with Stryker and his henchwoman, Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu).
X2 is an action-packed, exciting and surprisingly deep story that
quite arguably the represents the greatest transformation from comic
book to the big screen of all-time. It is definitely one of the best
movies of the year and it is now available on a jam-packed two-disc DVD
set.
The first thing I have to point out about this DVD set is if you buy
or rent it, you better put aside a day or three to watch it because it
has got just about anything and everything you can imagine. The first DVD
features a commentary by director Bryan Singer and cinematographer Tom
Siegel. A second commentary includes writers Michael Dougherty, Dan
Harris, David Hayter and producers Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph
Winter. Both commentaries are interesting and informative, with the
Singer/Siegel track probably getting the edge. It is impressive the
knowledge that all people involved in the movie had, not only on the
making of the movie but also on the background of the X-Men comic book
and its characters. You get some information on set designs,
production and filming nuances, budgetary constraints,
behind-the-scenes gags and so on and so forth.
The second disc is where the fun begins. It is all X-Men. The first
section is entitled History of the X-Men and is broken down into two
parts - "The Secret Origin of X-Men" (which includes an
excellent interview with X-Men creator Stan Lee as well as a look at
the development of both movies) and "Nightcrawler Reborn",
an extensive look at the origins and background of Nightcrawler. Both
featurettes are extremely informative for anyone interested in a more
detailed look at the background of the X-Men.
The second set of features is entitled Pre-Production. This is broken
down into "Nightcrawler Attack: Multi-Angle Study" (looks in
detail at the opening scene of the movie), "Evolution in the
Details - Designing X2" (X2's production designer Guy Dyas takes
us through the various sets used in the movie, including the Oval
Office, the museum, Professor X's school, Magneto's prison, Stryker's
hideout and the X-Jet) and "United Colours of X" (a look at
the costume design).
Next, we have the section Production. Here, we have "Wolverine/Deathstrike
Fight Rehearsal" (stunt actors rehearsing for the fight),
"The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men: Making of X2" (a very
detailed look at the making of X-Men, interviews with the director,
writers, producers and most of the main cast and plenty of
behind-the-scenes footage, this featurette is almost one hour long),
"Introducing the Incredible Nightcrawler" (a look at the
movement techniques and lengthy make-up application used for the
Nightcrawler character), "Nightcrawler Stunt Rehearsal"
(rehearsal and digital footage of the Presidential attack), "Nightcrawler
Time-Lapse" (speeded up footage of a make-up session with Alan
Cumming) and "FX2 - Visual Effects" (Visual Effects
Supervisor Michael Fink hosts a 24-minute look at several of the
movie's many special effects).
Post-Production is broken down into two featurettes. The first is
"Requiem for Mutants: The Score of X2" (features composer
John Ottman and includes an interesting bit where Patrick Stewart
visits the orchestra). Next is "X2 Global Webcast
Highlights" (footage from the live internet web chat conducted on
the eve of the release of X2).
Besides the many featurettes, the DVD also includes 11 Deleted Scenes,
Galleries (which include photos and drawings of Characters, Locations
& Sets, Mutant X-Rays, Nightcrawler Circus Posters, On Camera
Graphics and The Unseen X2) and finally the Trailers section (three
X-Men trailers, a public service announcement about smoking pot and a
promotion with the website).
Overall, the X2: X-Men United 2-Disc DVD set is certainly a handful
and an eyeful. There is not much they missed on this DVD - which could
be good and could be bad but for the most part, is a good thing this
time around. But with that being said, the movie is pretty remarkable
and the extras are extremely interesting and informative. This DVD is
a must-own for fans of X-Men or people wanting to become a fan. I
admit I was not much of a fan, but after watching this DVD, I cannot
wait for X3.
| The Movie: |
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8/10 |
| The
Extras: |
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8/10 |
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did you think?
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X2
Brendan Cullin - Senior
Editor
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