X-Men 2 (2003)

Bryan Singer's last sitting in the X-Men director's chair follows on from, and expands upon, what he started in the first film. It's more action packed this time, has more characters to accommodate and requires a longer running time to do so. There's some unexpected pairing up of characters, some internal conflicts and some subtle motivations that may go unnoticed with your first viewing. The more I watch it the more I get from it. It's focussed on Wolverine a lot, but Patrick Stewart once more steals the show. Did Mystique just flip...!

3½ Bamfs and Snickts out of 5

The Scorpion King (2002)

The Rock's first real acting job is a sword and sorcery action adventure. It’s a prequel story to his piss-poor cameo in The Mummy Returns (2001) and the role is perfect for him, playing to his strengths and his charms. He gets to do everything he did in the WWE: throw people about, look manly, seduce the ladies without even trying and give us that raised eyebrow that makes him look smug and endearing. Kelly Hu saves the costume dept some cash by being half-naked most of the time. Mercifully, the irritating comic relief sidekick can be easily ignored the majority of the time.

3 cheers for the Dwayne out of 5