Good vs. Evil

The classic struggle of good against evil is a fairly constant theme throughout the history of storytelling. The X2 story is no exception; indeed, it is a rather straightforward illustration of the theme.

Accordingly, the mythological archetypes of the hero and the villain also appear in the film. Without question, Professor X plays the role of the benign leader and is also, quite literally, the teacher. He is the archetypal wise old man who provides guidance and wisdom.

Logan serves as another type of hero: the mythic warrior on a quest. The questing hero is another mythical archetype appearing throughout ancient and modern literature. As Logan drives on, perpetually seeking answers about his past, his journey of self-discovery leads him to his true vocation: to protect the human race as a member of the X-Men.

The character of Magneto stands as an exception to these rather...