DVD REVIEWS 'X2' EVEN BETTER.

Byline: Rob Lowman Staff Writer

``X2,'' the second filmed installment of the Marvel Comics saga of mutants with super powers, could be titled ``X.2'' - an upgrade on the first, not an overhaul but an enhancement.

That's the good news, because ``X-Men,'' which was also directed by Bryan Singer, was already one of the more cohesive and intelligent of all the comic-book-to-screen mutations. In this case it's not a single lonely tortured soul with unusual powers hiding out from the world, but a whole minority of the population. Many of them hide from the general public - most of whom don't understand or are fearful. When one - Bobby (Shawn Ashmore), who has the power to freeze things - confesses to his parents about being different, his mother's uncomprehending reaction is: ``Have you ever considered, well, not being a mutant?''

In ``X2,'' out today on a two-disc DVD, Singer neatly balances the angst and pathos of his misunderstood characters with good old-fashioned comic-book fun and action. In this go-round, the students of the private school run by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) have been targeted by a fanatic government agent named Stryker (Brian Cox) who is determined to wipe out all mutants. Meanwhile, the mutants are at odds among themselves about what to do. Xavier, who can control minds, wants to reach a peaceful coexistence, while the metal-controlling Magneto (Ian McKellen) - the villain of the first film and now locked in an all-plastic cell - like Stryker believes war is inevitable.

Back for ``X2'' are the mysterious Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who has super-metal claws that descend from his knuckles at will and the power to heal within minutes. He is also the only mutant who may be man-made, making him the closest thing to the super-hero loner. A blond Halle Berry plays Storm, who can control the weather; Famke Janssen is Jean, a telekinetic; and James Marsden is the shaded Cyclops - a laserlike beam emanates from his eyes - who loves Jean and is wary of Wolverine's interest in her. And there is the young hot-to-trot Rogue (Anna Paquin), who has a crush on the older Wolverine but has feelings for Bobby, yet is cursed to be with neither because her power is to drain the life out of people she touches.

All of this makes for interestingly strange relationships, but Singer saves the most fun for Rebecca Romijn-Stamos' Mystique, a scaly, blue shape-shifter who can turn into anybody, including a very sexy version of the real supermodel Romijn-Stamos, which she does to great effect twice in the film. The other blue - and amusing - character is a transporter named Nightcrawler played by Alan Cumming, a tailed, lizardlike tattooed mutant with a religious bent who moves almost instantaneously from spot to spot.

The DVD offers some more background on the characters as well as an extensive look at the film itself from pre- to post-production. The action in ``X2,'' while filled with well-done special effects, is not as eye-popping (or as numbing) as ``The Matrix Reloaded.'' But the reason you're going to be interested in all this is because Singer has created a film that captures the essence of its comic-book roots, gives it a larger purpose, has some heart and remains entertaining.

``X2 - X-Men United'' (Fox; $29.90). It includes commentary by Singer and Tom Sigel, a second commentary by the producers, a making-of documentary, 11 featurettes and 11 deleted scenes.

`Bruce Almighty' not infallible

It was nice seeing my hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., featured in Jim Carrey's film ``Bruce Almighty,'' the story of a television newscaster who gets to be God for a while. Too bad it wasn't a better spotlight. It isn't that ``Bruce Almighty'' lacks for laughs; Carrey's manic persona could make the deity chortle. It's just that in the end, it's just as sugar-filled as Buffalo's Biggest Cookie, a promotional event that the frustrated Bruce (he wants to be an anchor) is forced to cover at the film's beginning, and just too sweet for the average person.

Directed by Tom Shadyac, ``Bruce'' has fun with the what-if-God-were- one-of-us concept when the Almighty (the perfect choice - Morgan Freeman) gives Bruce his powers while he takes a vacation. A bit of a prankster this God, he adds a couple of digits to Bruce's hand to prove to him who he is - kind of a mediocre joke for the Almighty. At first, Bruce uses the power for selfish reasons, like giving his girlfriend (Jennifer Aniston) larger breasts, but soon he realizes being God also means listening to everyone's prayers. To get around it, he starts saying yes to everything, but obviously trouble ensues. That - if anything - is the film's message: God may want to but can't answer all our prayers, and we need to work things out ourselves. Not a bad idea - but the filmmakers should have cut down on the sugar.

``Bruce Almighty'' (Universal; $26,90). It includes commentary by Shadyac, a featurette, outtakes and deleted scenes.

Hallyday treat

Patrice Leconte's ``Man on the Train,'' starring French '60s pop star Johnny Hallyday, is an enjoyable concoction - a bit of a comedy, a bit of a thriller. Hallyday plays a cool, reserved thief named Milan, while Jean Rochefort is a retired professor called Manesquier. The two meet and strike up an unexpected friendship while Milan waits to pull off a robbery with a group of thieves. The result is an intriguing and almost loving portrait of two aging men heading off toward different sunsets.

``Man on the Train'' (Paramount; $29.99).

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1) HUGH JACKMAN in ``X2 - X-Men United''

(2) MORGAN FREEMAN, left, and JIM CARREY in ``Bruce Almighty''