by RUPERT BOTTENBERG

The first X-Men film did a fine job of introducing the initial cast of characters that would populate what will clearly be a long and healthy series of flicks. Or rather, reintroduce, if one's a fan of the comic book, a flagship title in the Marvel Comics fleet.

That taken care of, the sequel X2 is allowed to hit the ground running, picking up right where the first film left off in a staccato blast of action and suspense that holds up right to the closing credits. New characters are certainly introduced, including a brief glimpse of Colossus (the Russian metal-man) and a major role for Nightcrawler. In fact, in the case of the latter, director Bryan Singer and the talented actor Alan Cumming breathe more life and definition into the blue-skinned, teleporting, German devil guy than the comic ever really did.

That's probably Singer's strongest card here, injecting dimension and appeal into characters who border on, if not exemplify, the ridiculous. The romantic subplots, now multiplying, illustrate this. The frustrated puppy love between Rogue and the still-teenaged Iceman is cute, but the extending daisy chain of unrequited attraction is a complicated one - Mystique likes Wolverine who likes Jean Grey who likes Cyclops (sorry if this sounds like a car dealer's brochure…). Singer does a great job of not only making it work but making it integral to a storyline full of shifting alliances. And for future reference, Nightcrawler seems keen on the likewise blue-skinned Mystique.

Singer really has his hands full with the X-Men movies, juggling operatic grandiosity with tiny interpersonal nuances, convincing special effects, kick-ass combat and the occasional well-placed gag. He gives keen consideration to both the moral position of the "outsider" and the potential for any strength to suddenly switch to a weakness. In short, he's taken a wad of greasy kid stuff and fashioned from it an impressive sculpture, taking us on a ride rather than for a ride. Here's to X3, ASAP.

X2 opens Friday, May 2

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