X2 is pretty much all that you’d ever want out of a comic book movie -- it’s smart, it’s breathlessly paced, the characters have at least 2 1/2 dimensions, and the action sequences are jaw-droppers, even on the small screen.

The truth is, the film is never again as good as its brilliant opening sequence.

X-Men 2 remains a decent enough sci-fi effort, which delivers on most of the levels fans could expect. Too bad it's hampered by a plot that wouldn't get green-lit for an average episode of Buffy.

Shockingly manages to balance the sillier, more cartoonish tone of the X-Men franchise to tell an unexpectedly mature narrative.