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After the initial storyline is set-up, the majority of "X2" centers on the steel-clawed Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), his quest to learn more about his past, and his leadership in the battle to bring down Stryker. This is good news for Hugh Jackman fans, and women in particular should be delighted by a few scenes in which he's wearing less and showing more. Jackman appears more comfortable in his Wolverine costume, infusing more personality and emotion into his portrayal of the fearsome do-gooder in this second outing.

Halle Berry (?Storm?) is fitted with a better-looking wig and her powers look more realistic (that's not exactly the right word to use in relation to a superpower, but it's close enough) than in the first film. The always-impressive Famke Janssen returns as Dr. Jean Grey, the object of both Wolverine and Cyclops' affection. Speaking of Cyclops, there's not much to his role in "X2." It would have been impossible to give each character equal screen time and with the addition of a few new central characters, Cyclops seems to have been left behind. Also returning from the first film in a prominent role is Anna Paquin as Rogue. Paquin does an admirable job of playing a mutant whose special talents get in the way of her burgeoning romance with Iceman (Shawn Ashmore).

Appearing as one of the younger generation of mutants is "Tadpole's" Aaron Stanford. Stanford joins the cast as Pyro, the source of some of the most creative special effects in "X2." One of the most talked about new characters is Kelly Hu's ?Deathstrike.? The battle scene between Hu as Deathstrike and Jackman as Wolverine though short, is practically worth the price of admission in and of itself.

And last but not least, Alan Cumming got to feel a bit of Rebecca Romijn-Stamos' pain as he went ?blue? for his role as Nightcrawler. Speaking with a German accent and providing much of the comic relief, Cumming steals scene after scene. Charming, intelligent and witty, this is the one character I hope returns for a bigger role in the next "X-Men" movie (hopefully we won't have to wait another three years for the next episode).

Thinking it would help to have a different perspective on the film, I took a friend of mine who's a real "X-Men" comic book fan with me to the screening. My knowledge of "X-Men" extends only as far back as July 2000, when I learned that ?wolverine? was not just a small, furry, woodland critter with a nasty disposition. The fact that we both enjoyed this film indicates to me that rookies and "X-Men" aficionados alike should find something to be entertained by in "X2." This sequel - or ?adventure? as director Bryan Singer likes to call it ? more than lives up to the hype. "X2: X-Men United" is fast-paced fun that's sure to be a big pre-summer hit, and deservedly so.

GRADE: B+