New On Video: 'X2: X-Men United,' 'Bruce Almighty'

'X2: X-Men United' (PG-13): Far surpassing the brilliant original, "X2: X-Men United" is without question the year's best sequel, if not one of the year's best movies. The story is engaging, the characters are unique and the special effects are mind-blowing. Director Bryan Singer can't bring on "X-Men 3" soon enough.

With characters like Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Magneto (Ian McKellen), Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Cyclops (James Marsden) and Storm (Halle Berry) already established through the first film, "X2" finds tensions rising between the human race and mutant population after a near-fatal attack by a mysterious mutant on the President of the United States (Cotter Smith).

And while Professor X, Storm and Jean Grey locate the culprit almost immediately, it's not soon enough to stop a covert operation by military heavy William Stryker (Brian Cox), whose using a powerful tool to turn mutants against their own.

After Professor X is kidnapped by Stryker to proceed with a plan to destroy all mutants on earth, Wolverine, Storm, Jean Grey unite with adversaries Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) and prison escapee Magneto to stop the military scientist in his tracks -- but it may come at a huge cost.

Based on Marvel's classic comic book characters, "X2: X-Men United" succeeds by furthering the mutant discrimination storyline without becoming preachy. The action is top-notch, as expected, but Singer doesn't allow the visuals to overcome each of the trials and tribulations of the film's main characters.

Sure, there are characters like Wolverine, who has steel knives that come out of his fists (his backstory comes to fruition in the film) and Mystique can shape-shift into different people, but that doesn't mean you can't relate to the film. If you've ever felt like an outcast, and most of us have, then you'll be engaged by the plight of the characters. You don't have to be a fan of the comic books to enjoy the "X-Men" movies.

That's not to say the film has the same deathly-serious tone of movies like the last two "Matrix" sequels. In fact, "X2" is much funnier than the first "X-Men" film, with a brilliantly amusing performance by McKellen as the ambiguous Magneto. Jackman is great, too, as Wolverine, as he deadpans through some of his lines with ruthless sarcasm.

Diehard fans of the comic books will enjoy the addition of classic X-Men characters like Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), Iceman (Shawn Ashmore), Pyro (Aaron Stanford) and Deathstrike (Kelly Hu) -- whom Stryker is using as a tool against his mutant adversaries. Singer also teases the possibilities of future movies with brief, but satisfying appearances of characters like Kitty Pride (Katie Stuart) and Colossus (Daniel Cudmore).

DVD Features: The two-disc set includes commentary by Singer and Cinematographer Tom Sigel; Commentary by producer Lauren Schuler Donner and writers Ralph Winter, Michael Dougherty, Dan Harris and David Hayter; "The Second Uncanny Issue of X-Men," a making-of documentary about "X2"; 11 production featurettes; 11 deleted scenes and more. (20th Century Fox Home Entertainment)

'Bruce Almighty' (PG-13): Anyone who can't find the inspired comedy in Jim Carrey's "Bruce Almighty," has simply lost faith in movies - from Carrey's broad physicality to his rubbery-faced mugging and outrageous vocal bursts, it's an uproariously funny gem that features the comic genius in rare form.

Carrey plays Bruce Nolan, a television reporter known only for his offbeat feature stories. But Bruce has higher aspirations -- the anchor desk -- and has a complete meltdown on camera during a live shot when he finds out that he's being passed up for the position.

Complaining to God because things apparently never go his way, the Almighty (the always charismatic Morgan Freeman) himself appears in person to grant Bruce all of his divine powers to show him just how difficult the job can be. Bruce doesn't think so, though, at least as first -- because he's used his position as God to fulfill all of his professional dreams, and take care of some of his personal needs and annoyances.

What Bruce doesn't realize, though, is that lost in his newfound world is Grace (Jennifer Aniston), his longtime love who's more content with the simpler things in life. But worse yet, some of his well-intentioned, but haphazard actions have a huge-ripple effect on the rest of humanity; and, of course, he's got a whole lot of people to look out for and a serious number of prayers to answer.

Apart from his turn as "The Grinch" in 2000, it has been a long time since we've seen Carrey get so wild on screen. The difference this time, though, is that Carrey is free of the costumes and the heavy make-up, so the sky's the limit for the comic possibilities.

But, if you're a fan of his, you know there's a method to his madness that allows the material to take on a life of its own when its in his hands. Whether or not we've heard the dialogue or have seen the sight gags before, it all seems so incredibly refreshing when Carrey's behind it. He's a movie unto himself.

DVD Features: Commentary by director Tom Shadyac; "The Process of Jim" making-of featurette; outtakes, deleted scenes and more. (Universal Studios Home Video)

Also New: Tim Allen delivers a sleigh full of laughs as the jolly title character in "The Santa Clause 2: The Mrs. Clause" (G), a sequel that's twice as funny and heartfelt as the original. As the title suggests, Santa needs to find a wife, and the clock is ticking. Filled with vibrant colors, lovable characters and heartfelt storyline, "The Santa Clause 2" is destined to become a holiday classic. Elizabeth Mitchell is charming as Santa's potential love interest. A quick note to baby boomers who've forgotten about those childhood toys you got growing up: get ready for a teary trip down memory lane. (Walt Disney Home Entertainment).