Look, I don't like comic books. I don't like superheroes, I don't really care for arch-nemeses, and I don't really care about the world ending because some guy wants revenge for something that I don't care about. Therefore, I am certainly not the target audience for "X-Men," either the original movie or the sequel. But I have to admit that I have not only seen, but greatly enjoyed, both. Why?Well, Wolverine might help.

The first X-Men movie, aside from being a really cool story about mutants who can do cool things that are fun to see on screen, introduced me and the rest of the world to a hairy and muscled Hugh Jackman, who promptly made every heterosexual woman in the theater turn into a puddle of warm goo. He was tortured. He was lost and needed help. He was incredibly well built. He wore jeans that looked poured on. And best of all, he had cool metal claws that could shoot out of his hands. The story of the X-Men has always revolved around Wolverine, the newest and wildest addition to the mutant superhero team, and the first movie certainly delivered on this. The question was, could the second movie live up to the precedent set by the first?

The answer is a definitive yes. "X2," the simply titled sequel, not only lives up to the first movie's standards, but actually surpasses them. While "X-Men " was a wonderful and visually exciting introduction to the team and their dynamic, "X2" offers the first foray into the truly magical and intricate world of the X Men. Where so many comics are content to live in black and white worlds of "good guys vs. bad guys," "X2" blurs that line considerably when Magneto, the classic villain, works alongside the X-Men to defeat a common, worse enemy. And while they do not stay comrades for the duration of the movie, there is a deeper moral lesson to be learned by their decision to work together, instead of against each other.

"X2" also offers great advancements in the characters, both new and old. Nightcrawler, another blue-skinned mutant, a teleporter, becomes a central figure in the team, starting in this movie. His is brilliantly portrayed by Alan Cumming, who is able to make the audience feel nothing but sympathy for a character who originally seems to be nothing but evil. Turns out he's a victim of mind control, and a mutant who is truly terrified of what he is. The X Men, mainly Storm and Jean Grey, gain his trust and he quickly becomes completely loyal to the team. He is funny, and endearing and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do with his character in the next movie.

Of course, the greatest character advancement is that of Wolverine, as if we expected anything less. He is still stubborn, still annoyed by everything mutant and still wearing those delicious painted-on jeans, but he does move forward. "X2 " allows Wolverine to discover his past and how he became a mutant- a story that I don't plan on ruining if you haven't seen it yet. Suffice it to say that it involves a lot of flashbacks, some much appreciated nakedness, and one awesome fight with a counterpart that is both terrifying and truly sad at said counterpart's defeat.

"X2" is really a no-miss film. If you're into action, it has action. If you're into awesome special effects, it's got awesome special effects (make sure you catch the opening scene, if you're an effects person). If you're there for the plot, there's no shortage of that either. No matter what, you will be satisfied, maybe a little sad, and more than eager to see the next sequel after the delicious cliffhanger ending this one offers up. Maybe movie ticket prices are outrageous nowadays, but this is one movie that is worth every penny.