Review: X-Men (2000)
Edward Johnson-Ott
James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Tyler Mane, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Ray Park,
Anna Paquin. Music by Michael Kamen. Screenplay by David Hayter, based on
the Marvel comic book series. Directed by Bryan Singer. 90 minutes.
Rated PG-13, 4 stars (out of five stars)
Review by Ed Johnson-Ott, NUVO Newsweekly
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The X-Men hold a special place in my heart. As a kid, I was there when they
made their debut in 1963. On the surface, the Marvel comic book bore quite a
resemblance to The Fantastic Four, another Stan Lee and Jack Kirby creation,
but the X-Men represented a crucial twist on the superhero concept. These
young people were mutants, treated with fear and hatred by mainstream
society just because they were different.
Such an inspired notion. In one fell swoop, Lee and Kirby gave the
disenfranchised a comic they could call their own. The X-Men were surrogates
for blacks, gays, alienated teens - any group who felt the sting of
stereotyping and societal intolerance. While Superman and the Fantastic Four
battled galactic overlords, the X-Men were busy fighting simply for their
right to be, and kicking major bigot ass when necessary.
Professor Charles Xavier, a wheelchair-bound telepath of enormous power,
served as teacher, father figure and group leader in his position as
headmaster of the Xavier School for Gifted Children, a haven for mutant
youth. Over the years, the series experienced major changes, including an
enormously successful reboot that replaced the original students with a more
ethnic and racially diverse group of mutants. Eventually, the X-Men
franchise split into a series of titles featuring so many characters that it
was virtually impossible to keep track of them all.
Twenty-seven years after their creation, the X-Men have finally made it to
the big screen, in what may well be the best cinematic superhero adaptation
to date. While director Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") shifts
characters around and stumbles periodically, he has captured the essence of
the comic book. The core team makeup is different, featuring two of the
original group and three from the later days, but the magic remains the
same.
"X-Men" takes place in the near future, with ultra-conservative Senator
Robert Kelly (Bruce Davison) campaigning for the Mutant Registration Act,
which would allow the government to keep tabs on any citizen with mutant
DNA. While Dr. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) of the X-Men tries to reason with
the self-righteous politician at a Senate hearing, Professor Xavier (Patrick
Stewart) senses the presence of an old friend in the chamber. The mutant
known as Magneto (Ian McKellan) does not share the guarded optimism of
Xavier. A Holocaust survivor, Magneto sees the hearings as the first step
towards a genetic war, and the master of magnetism is ready to make a
preemptive strike.
The battle lines are drawn. Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants: the
shapeshifting Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), man-beast Sabretooth (Tyler
Mane) and Toad (Ray "Darth Maul" Park), an incredibly agile creature with a
tongue that would make Gene Simmons weep with envy, versus Xavier's A-Team:
Cyclops (James Marsden), who shoots laser blasts from his eyes, weather
witch Storm (Halle Berry) and Jean Grey, who has a major in telekinesis and
a minor in telepathy. Joining the trio are two newcomers: Rogue (Anna
Paquin), a teen who temporarily drains the life force from anyone she
touches, and Wolverine (Hugh Jackson), a skilled athlete with amazing
healing powers and retractable, razor sharp claws that spring from the top
of his hands.
Director Singer, working from David Hayter's efficient script, forwards the
plot while providing a wealth of treats for X-fans. While visiting the
school, which has a much larger population than the one in the comic, other
brief, but cleverly staged appearances. There are several in-jokes for
attentive viewers, and we see the beginning of the love triangle between
Wolverine, Cyclops and Jean Grey.
While most superhero movies struggle for an epic feel, "X-Men" thankfully
sets its burners a bit lower, playing like a solid issue of a cinematic
comic book and taking the time to flesh out a few major characters. The
story revolves around Wolverine, with Aussie actor Hugh Jackson giving a
knockout performance as the Canuck loner (asked if it hurts when his claws
come out, he quietly answers "Every time."). Although the onscreen Rogue is
significantly different from her comic book counterpart, Anna Paquin
beautifully conveys the angst of a girl who cannot ever enjoy the touch of
another person. And, thanks to a heart-wrenching prologue, we see the
damaged child beneath Magneto's regal persona. As expected, Ian McKellen and
Patrick Stewart are wonderful, particularly during their scenes together.
Despite limited screen time, Famke Janssen firmly establishes Jean Grey as
one tough, smart cookie and, in James Marsden's hands, the smirking,
tight-assed Cyclops becomes the perfect foil for Wolverine's verbal barbs.
Unfortunately, Halle Berry's Storm receives no personal development. To make
matters worse, Berry is saddled with a chintzy white wig straight from the
Eva Gabor Woolworth's collection.
Other quibbles include Sabretooth's growl, which sounds too much like the
MGM lion. A synthesis of animal and human roars would have been more
effective. And, primarily due to extensive wire work, some of the action
segments are a bit stiff. But these are minor complaints. "X-Men" neatly
balances character interaction with grand battles, while never forgetting
the theme that made the series a pop classic. For this fan, the film was a
very pleasant surprise. I suspect that those unfamiliar with the comic book
will have quite the good time as well.
© 2000 Ed Johnson-Ott
Christopher Null
A film review by Christopher Null
Copyright 2000 filmcritic.com
filmcritic.com
Well, comic book freaks can take a breather, as another sci-fi
fantasy hits the big screen, this time in the long-awaited,
highly-anticipated, it-better-be-good X-Men.
Without too much regret, I can say that X-Men will be palatable to
fans and newbies alike. It's not a great film, but it will probably
follow the arc of the Superman and Batman movies -- tons of sequels of
variable quality until an abrupt and dismal end a decade later.
The film is largely focused on introducing the very idea of the
has mutated to the point where various members of it find themselves
endowed with superhuman abilities: telepathy, walking on water/through
walls, regeneration, and the like are commonplace. As with most modes
of difference, the mutants find themselves vilified by the public, and a
Senator (Bruce Davison) launches a crusade to mandate "mutant
registration."
How the group of X-Men came to be is unclear, but we do know that
Dr. Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is their leader and that he's wealthy
beyond belief, funding an apparently tuition-free school for mutant kids
where they can harness their powers in peace. Dr. X (X-Men, get it?)
recruits adults, too, with monikers like the laser-eyed Cyclops (James
Marsden), the weather-controlling Storm (Halle Berry), and the
telekinetic Dr. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) -- the only X-Person who
doesn't have a nickname. Together, the X-Men peacefully oppose the
government's anti-mutant tide, while battling the "evil" Magneto (Ian
McKellan), a concentration camp survivor that can control metal with his
mind.
Soon the film begins to turn around newcomers to the X-Men -- the
super-tough Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and the power-stealing Rogue (Anna
Paquin) -- and a Magneto plot to capture them consumes the rest of the
movie. Ultimately it is revealed that Magneto's plan is to give all the
human leaders of the world a mutation of their own, through a
contraption he's built that will be unveiled at a conveniently-timed
"World Summit" on Ellis Island. Whew!
Strangely enough, X-Men is not as complicated as it sounds. In
fact, its major flaw is that it spends the bulk of an hour simply
explaining what mutations are, who the good guys and bad guys are, and
what their respective powers are. Everyone has two names -- a real one
and a nickname like "Sabretooth" -- and at least one has the power to
shift shape (an unrecognizable Rebecca Romijn-Stamos with no lines in
her own voice). The exposition is necessary to have the movie make
sense, but it weighs the film down with a tedium that takes you
completely out of the action.
That aside, X-Men's biggest flaw is that all mutants appear to be
stupid beyond belief. Xavier and Magneto are presented to us as genius
arch-rivals, but the plots Magneto cooks up to capture the enemy are
straight out of an old "Batman" TV show episode. Why go to all the
trouble to trick one mutant and poison another when you can just send
your shapeshifter in to do the dirty work? Why can't Dr. X figure out
why Magneto is interested in Wolverine? I suppose questioning the logic
of a movie called X-Men makes me sound a bit nutty, but there it is.
While fans will appreciate the largely accurate portrayal of the
team (with the notable exception of Rogue being played as a barely
pubescent teenager), inside jokes like cracks about Wolverine's yellow
Spandex will be lost on most of the audience.
Ultimately, X-Men is a reasonably entertaining movie, but it's one
that started to bother me the moment I left the theater. Here's why:
The X-Men want to stop a potential war between humans and mutants, and
Dr. X thinks Magneto is brewing this war up. But Magneto isn't doing
anything of the sort. He's cooked up this machine that will give
mutations to humans -- and therefore a better understanding of mutants,
and ergo, no war. Magneto has a great idea! If his machine worked
right, everything would have been peachy. The fact that it doesn't
feels inserted by one of the half-dozen uncredited screenwriters just to
make the movie a little less nonsensical.
Anyway, I predict the legacy of X-Men to be this: 1) There will
undoubtedly be a sequel. 2) It will be a whole lot better than the
original. Vive la difference.
RATING: ***
|------------------------------|
\ ***** Perfection \
\ **** Good, memorable film \
\ *** Average, hits and misses \
\ ** Sub-par on many levels \
\ * Unquestionably awful \
|------------------------------|
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Bryan Singer
Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter
Writer: David Hayter
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry,
Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Tyler Mane, Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos, Ray Park, Anna Paquin
http://www.x-men-the-movie.com/index.html
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Scott Renshaw
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen,
James Marsden, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane, Ray Park, Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davison.
Screenplay: David Hayter.
Producers: Lauren Shuler Donner and Ralph Winter.
Director: Bryan Singer.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (violence, profanity, adult themes)
Running Time: 100 minutes.
Reviewed by Scott Renshaw.
I think it's fair to say that I've been looking forward to a film
version of X-MEN for a while now -- somewhere in the neighborhood of 23
years, as a matter of fact. X-MEN #107 was one of the first comic books I
ever bought, and it launched me on a love affair with the medium that
abated only when, as a college student, I could no longer afford my habit.
Some readers may suspect that this history would lead me to go easy on an
adolescent fan-boy. Personally, I thought it would make me much tougher.
After all, a 23-year wait can do something to one's expectations. I didn't
think I'd settle for anything less than the kind of comic book adaptation
you almost never see: one that combines rousing heroic action with a solid
story.
To my joy and astonishment, that's exactly what I got. X-MEN is not
just a great comic book movie; it's actually a pretty good movie _period_.
For those unfamiliar with the source material, the X-Men are mutants --
humans with unusual powers that manifest themselves during puberty.
Telepathic mutant Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) has dedicated
himself to helping mutants learn to cope with their powers at his School
for Gifted Youngsters, mutants like retractable claw-wielding Wolverine
(Hugh Jackman) and a teenager called Rogue (Anna Paquin) who absorbs the
life force of people she touches. Xavier also has a powerful adversary in
Magneto (Ian McKellen), who sees mutants as destined for superiority, and
who believes the mass of humanity fears and hates mutant-kind. It seems
Magneto's perspective is justified when U.S. Senator Robert Kelly (Bruce
Davison) begins advocating for mutants to register with the government.
And when Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants set in motion a plan to
mutate all of humanity, you can bet that a battle with Xavier's X-Men is
not far off.
The X-Men universe has grown pretty unwieldy over the years, but
director Bryan Singer (THE USUAL SUSPECTS) and his team of writers wisely
keep the focus on a limited number of characters: team leader Cyclops
(James Marsden), telekinetic Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and weather
manipulator Storm (Halle Berry). Even more wisely, he focuses primarily on
Wolverine and his paternal relationship with the fragile, frightened
Rogue. That choice not only gives the story an emotional anchor, it gives
plenty of screen time to X-MEN's most intriguing character and easily its
best performance. You've probably never seen Australian actor Hugh Jackman
before -- though he resembles a brawnier Gary Sinise -- but you will see
him again, because the guy has charisma to burn. Jackman offers everything
a fan could hope for in a portrayal of Wolverine, from the trademark
muttonchops to the genuine sense of mystery and menace. If X-MEN had
nothing else going for it but Jackman, it would still be worth seeing.
The wonderful thing is that X-MEN _does_ have more going for it.
Drawing on one of the comic's best stories of the 1980s, X-MEN effectively
uses the subtext of anti-mutant hysteria as a combination of Red scare
(there's a great moment in a Senate debate in which Kelly waves around a
"list of names of known mutants"), racism and homophobia. It offers dozens
of insider gags for the X-Men faithful, while avoiding the slavish
devotion to every detail that can interfere in solid film story-telling.
And, just in case it matters to anyone, it offers some of the
kick-ass-in'-est action scenes this side of THE MATRIX. The climactic
battle between the X-Men and the Brotherhood -- including shape-shifter
Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), tongue-flicker Toad (Ray Park) and
bone-crusher Sabretooth (Tyler Mane) -- is simply superb. The fact that
you don't have to wade through 90 minutes of junk to get to it is a
wonderful bonus.
Of course X-MEN has its flaws. There's not much for Halle Berry to do
but look intense when her eyes go white, which is probably all for the
best given the Incredible Disappearing Accent she occasionally employs.
The script also doesn't do quite enough with turning Magneto into a
genuinely tragic villain, especially given the amount of time devoted to
his back-story in the prologue. It's always tough for a film like X-MEN to
lay the foundation while still delivering the goods, so it's inevitable
that there are going to be some lulls and loose ends. I was startled,
however, by how few there were. Maybe my inner adolescent fan-boy did
emerge during X-MEN, but it emerged because the film reminded me of the
best the comic book had to offer, as well as some of the best an action
film can offer. I think it was worth the wait, though I have a sneaking
suspicion it won't be 23 years before the X-Men hit the screen again.
On the Renshaw scale of 0 to 10 homo superiors: 8.
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Bob Bloom
X-Men (2000) 3 stars out of 4. Starring Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman,
Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin,
Tyler Mane, Ray Park, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Bruce Davison. Directed
by Bryan Singer. Story by Tom DeSanto and Singer. Screenplay by David
Hayter. Music by Michael Kamen. Rated PG-13.
The X-Men are not your normal kind of super heroes.
No, not because they are mutants. In a sense all comic book heroes who
possess one extraordinary power or another is a mutant.
It’s because these men and women are like us; they have issues, they
squabble and sometimes get on each other's nerves.
And that is one of the charms of "X-Men," the long-anticipated movie
adaptation of one of Marvel Comics most popular franchises.
"X-Men" is a story of tolerance vs. intolerance, with echoes reaching
back to the Nazis’ “final solution.”
"X-Men" is set in the undefined, not-too-distant future. There is a
growing concern and paranoia in the United States, led by demagogue Sen.
Robert Kelly (Bruce Davison) about the threat from mutants, people who
are freaks of nature, scientific oddities. Kelly is pushing legislation
making it mandatory that these people be registered.
In the background, quietly opposing Kelly are two camps. One is led by
Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), the world’s most powerful
telepath, who runs a school for “gifted” students where they are taught
to control their powers and use them for good.
Xavier fights to protect the very people who hate and fear him and his
kind.
The other faction is run by Erik Lehnsherr, also known as Magneto (Ian
McKellen). His answer is, if you can’t lick ‘em, join ‘em. He and his
evil Brotherhood of Mutants, devise a diabolical plan that would force
humanity to accept them.
Director Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects," "Apt Pupil"), who co-wrote
the story with Tom DeSanto, as well as screenwriter David Hayter, have
created a balanced plot that is equal special effects-mutant-vs.-mutant
WWF, knock-down-drag-’em-out battles, coupled with a human element, as
these gifted people learn to cope and accept their strange powers.
First, a mini-scorecard for those unfamiliar with X-Men, so you can
learn the various players.
The good guys, those aligned with Professor X, include: Cyclops, whose
eyes emit powerful energy beams; Storm, who can manipulate the weather;
and Jean Gray, a telepath who also has telekinetic powers.
Joining them are Wolverine, the surly loner with adamantium claws and
amazing healing powers who would rather fight than talk, and Rogue, a
sensitive teen-age girl who can absorb the powers and memories of anyone
she touches.
Opposing them is Magneto’s Brotherhood of Mutants, which includes the
animalistic Sabertooth; the blue-skinned metamorph Mystique and the
far-jumping, tongue-lashing Toad.
"X-Men" features a wry sense of humor. As the X-Men move out dressed in
their black, all-leather uniforms for their final confrontation with
their foes, Wolverine asks if they really wear these clothes in public.
To which Cyclops replies, “What would you prefer, yellow Spandex?”
Then there's the throw-away scene at Professor X’s school in which we
see a group of youngsters playing basketball. One young lad with super
speed continually passes the ball to himself, making an easy lay-up. An
off-screen voice protests: “Hey, no fair, no superpowers allowed.”
I
t’s moments like these that confirm that Singer and his writers have
gotten it right. There's is one of the best comic book adaptations since
Tim Burton’s original "Batman" movie.
The "X-Men" cast: Stewart is wise, gentle and authoritative as the
fatherly leader of this band of outsiders.
Hugh Jackman, another Australian hunk in the Russell Crowe mode, is
tenacious, tough and a bit tender as the ferocious Wolverine.
James Marsden plays Cyclops with a cool nonchalance and a quick sense
of humor.
Halle Berry is beautiful and tough as the no-nonsense Storm, while the
lovely Famke Janssen displays a firmness, dedication and intelligence as
Jean Gray.
Oscar-winner Anna Paquin ("The Piano") is vulnerable and
psychologically scarred as the alienated and confused Rogue.
The movie’s one drawback is that the villainous mutants are not as
fully developed as their heroic counterparts. Thus, Tyler Mane mainly
roars and rends as Sabertooth; Rebecca Romjin-Stamos shape shifts as
Mystique, while Ray Park as Toad, gets to cut a wisecrack or two.
Only Ian McKellen as Magneto is drawn with any depth. His contempt for
humanity is understandable. He does what he feels is necessary not for
any really evil purpose, but as a method of survival.
"X-Men" will prove to be a hit, opening the door for a sequel or two or
three. Despite my cynicism about sequels, I wouldn’t mind watching the
future adventures of these interesting heroes, if the writing is as
intelligent and sharp as this introductory adventure.
You need not be a comic book aficionado to enjoy "X-Men." It features
great visuals, an appropriate Michael Kamen score, lots of action and —
most of all — very interesting characters.
"X-Men" creator Stan Lee should be proud. His concept has been
successfully transferred from printed page to big screen with very few
compromises.
Bob Bloom is the film critic at the Journal and Courier in Lafayette,
IN. He can be reached by e-mail at bl...@journal-courier.com or at
bobb...@iquest.net
Bloo'm's reviews are posted on the Internet Movie Database at:
http://www.imdb.com/M/reviews_by?Bob+Bloom
Susan Granger
Susan Granger's review of "X-MEN" (20th Century Fox)
Based on the best-selling comic books, this live-action
allegory about persecution and tolerance revolves around an awesome
team of black leather-clad mutants who become reluctant
superheroes. For the X-uninitiated, wheelchair-bound Prof. Charles
Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is the world's greatest telepath who runs a
secret school where gifted youngsters are taught by Storm (Halle
Berry), Cyclops (James Marsden) and Jean Grey (Famke
Janssen). Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Rogue (Anna Paquin) are the
newcomers. The adversarial evil Brotherhood - Sabretooth (Tyler Mane),
Mystique (Rebecca Romjin-Stamos), Toad (Ray Park) - is led by the
strongest and most powerful mutant ever known, Magneto (Ian McKellen),
who captures a conservative U.S. Senator (Bruce Davison) in his
determination to get respect by whatever means necessary. Director
Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects," "Apt Pupil") enjoys dark character
studies, keeping the comic-book action taut. And he's obviously been
influenced by "Matrix" effects. The Cerebro, a chamber in which
Xavier's psychic abilities are enhanced, is fascinating, as is
Magneto's Lair and the Map Room, where a six-foot diameter table made
of steel pins rises to form a 3-D topographical map of New York
City. The Rogue Effect, which drains a person's life-force, is
impressive and there's an incredible, high-energy, destructive
sequence at the Statue of Liberty. With her scaly blue skin and red
hair, Mystique is eye-candy as a shape-shifter, transforming herself,
including fingerprints and voice, into anyone with whom she comes in
contact. On the Granger Movie Gauge of 1 to 10, "X-Men" is a cool,
mythic 7. Die-hard Marvel Comic fanatics may quibble with these movie
mutants but fans are out there and they will come.
Brandon Herring
Rated PG-13: action, violence, partial nudity.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Patrick
Stewart, Ian McKellan, Rebecca Romaijn-Stamos, Famke Jansen, Bruce Davison,
Ray Park, Tyler Mane,
Running Time: 100 Minutes (dependant on which movie theatre you are in)
Directed by: Brian Singer.
So here it is, the film fans have been waiting for for over a decade, 'X-Men'
finally comes to the big screen in an all-out adventure, full of eye popping
special effects, great stunts, fantastic acting and a wonderful story. When I
first heard they were making a live action version of the movie, I was quite
skeptical. I knew I was going to see it, but I wasn't sure if it was going to
be good. Then the first teaser trailer came out and I lost all hope. It was
so dumb and so confused they should have just left it alone. Then a few weeks
later the full trailer came out and I was stunned, the film looked great, it
looked wonderfully edited, directed and acted and I was hyped up to see it.
Finally the day came I got to see it, and I must say I was a bit
disappointed, but I still enjoyed the film immensely.
The movie follows the cartoon and comic books to a T. I don't want to ruin
the story so I will just tell you the basic plot: Mutants are despised by
humans, because of some of the things they can do, the senate wants mutants
to come out in the public with what they have, and register themselves so we
are aware of what they can do. Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) is
a very powerful mutant who has made a school for the gifted children who have
these certain powers. Rogue and Wolverine are two confused mutants who meet
each other in a bar after Rogue witnesses Wolverines sharp claws almost go
through a guys throat. He takes her with him on the road, but a ways down
they hit a tree and Logan (Wolverine) is thrown through the window, then
being attacked by a evil mutant Magneto's pack.
Then we finally get to see the good guys, Storm and Cyclops rescue Wolverine
and Rogue and bring them to the home of Professor X. Wolverine isn't quite
sure of what is going on, but soon realizes that this place is where he needs
to be to live safe and free among other mutants, Rogue who was always scared
of what she could do, now lives freely in the home. Magneto a very powerful
mutant is after the X-Men because of the powers he has and because he is
aware that there is a war brewing between humanity and mutants. Professor X
and his team of X-Men must try to stop Magneto from destroying the entire
world before its too late. Hold on to something because your in for a ride!
Don't worry I didn't give much of the plot away, thats just an outline. The
film is very well conceived with its plot, and I was pleasently pleased to
find out that each character has a backstory which adds much to the study of
these people. I realized however when the film was over that even though it
didn't have that much action, this movie is just starting it all. The sequel
(which is coming out) will be continuing it, and so on and so on. The
direction by Brian Singer (The Usual Suspects) is amazing, the action
scenes, and the choreography in the film is amazing. The special effects are
mind-boggling and some of them look incredibly real.
The characters we have is Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) who is a great character,
brought to life by an emotional back story. Hugh Jackman brings the character
to the screen with a bang, and is probably the only person who could have
played Wolverine this good, Anna Paquin plays the mysterious Rogue, which as
first I was skeptical about, but after seeing her play the part I will say I
was impressed by her motions and by her accent she put to the character.
Famke Jansen plays Jean Gray but for some reason her character seems pushed
back and not doing much, but non-the-less she does a great job in her
character, Halle Berry does a good job on playing Storm, but either she
didn't bring the character out as much as she could have, or the character
just wasn't brought out in the script, because like Jean Gray she seems a bit
pushed back. James Marsden is good as Cyclops, and is given some great comic
relief between him and Wolverine. Perhaps the best performance of the X-Men
is Patrick Stewart who is priceless as Professor X, he plays him with such
agility, such expertese that he gives one of the best performances Ive seen
this year.
Of the bad guys, Rebecca Romaijn-Stamos plays Mystique who is a
shapeshifting, very sexy character that is completely naked with blue all
over her body. Of course its PG-13 so you cannot see anything. Tyler Dane
plays Sabretooth and is extrmely well at it, Ray Park who played Darth Maul
in Episode 1 plays Toad here who is a pointless character but non-the-less a
great one. Of course the best of the bad guys is the fantastic Ian McKellan
who brings out the character of Magneto more than anyone else could, there is
a scene in the film when Patrick and Ian are together talking and it is
amazing to watch these two talented actors work.
Even though the movie has these pluses, it also has its minuses. First of all
some of the characters are undeveloped, for instance we don't get very much
background on Cyclops of Jean Gray. There are many scenes that seem to go and
on with talky dialogue, and not enough action. The climax of the film is very
well made, but I found that it went way to fast. Of course these flaws come
with the movie because it sets up for the sequel. Even with these flaws,
seen this year. Its worthy of a movie theatre trip possibly twice or even
three times. For the fans of X-Men like me, your gonna love it!
Reviewed by Brandon Herring 7-13-00
Michael Dequina
As geeky as it sounds, I must admit it--when it comes to _X-Men_, I am
what is called a "fanboy." I grew up fervently following the comic book
exploits of the team whose membership is made of genetically evolved,
superpowered "mutants." Seeing a group of guys and gals kicking serious
ass with their superhuman abilities is undoubtedly a major factor in my
(and many others') interest, but what has made _X-Men_ so popular--and
very passionately so, at that--are the realistic characters, authentic
people who just happen to have powers. And while most comics treat their
heroes' and heroines' abilities as simply a cool gift, for the X-Men and
mutants in general, it is also very much a curse; much like any other
minorities, mutants face severe prejudice from the rest of the
population.
So adapting _X-Men_ and its sprawling, 30-year-plus history into a
100-minute feature film is a dicey proposition for any filmmaker, and
even moreso for one who was not a fan to begin with--such as Bryan
Singer, who is at the helm of Fox's lavish, long-awaited $80-million
extravaganza. Not only must he appease the fanboys by not deviating too
far from the source material, he must also make what is essentially a
three-decade-long-and-counting soap opera accessible to the non-fan. And
contrary to fans' greatest fears, Singer's _X-Men_ is an exciting,
fast-paced adventure that will satisfy both audiences.
For a summer blockbuster--especially one based on a comic book--an
$80-million budget is a pittance, but it's an appropriate figure for
_X-Men_. Spectacular visual effects are called for (and are effectively
employed) to bring the team's powers to life, but the budget limitation
forces the filmmakers to make the effects a carefully used enhancement of
the story and characters, which are hence given more weight (as they
always had been in the comic).
For the most part, credited scripter David Hayter and a gaggle of
uncredited scribes (including Singer's Oscar-winning _Usual_Suspects_
partner Christopher McQuarrie and _Buffy_ maestro Joss Whedon) succeed in
making the characters mirror their counterparts on the page. The X-Men
is a team of mutants led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), a
powerful telepath who runs a school for "gifted youngsters" and fights
for mutant tolerance. As the film begins, his team consists of Jean Grey
(Famke Janssen), a telekinetic (i.e., can move objects with her mind) and
a telepath herself; Scott Summers, a.k.a. Cyclops (James Marsden), who
cannot control his deadly optic blasts; and Ororo Monroe, a.k.a. Storm
(Halle Berry), who can control the weather.
Those established members, however, take a backseat in the film to the
new recruits, Logan, a.k.a. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Rogue (Anna
Paquin). The wild, mysterious Wolverine is perhaps best known for his
retractable, razor-sharp claws made of the indestructible metal
adamantium (his entire skeleton is also bonded with it), but his mutant
abilities are heightened senses and a rapid healing factor. Rogue can
absorb a person's lifeforce, personality, and memories (and, in the case
of other mutants, powers) with a single touch. After discovering her
ability after kissing her boyfriend, a distraught Rogue flees her native
Mississippi for snowy Canada, where she meets Wolverine. When the two
are attacked by the evil and animalistic Sabretooth (Tyler Mane), it's
Storm and Cyclops to the rescue, and Wolverine and Rogue soon find
themselves getting acquainted with the ways of Xavier's school.
Jackman, an unknown Australian actor known for his musical theater
credits, and the teenage Paquin were Singer's two most controversial
casting choices. Only one will completely win over skeptical fans:
Jackman, who completely inhabits Wolvie's wild, woolly persona; from his
first scene, fans should have no doubt about the actor's ability to
embody the character's trademark ferocity. Paquin will have a harder
time of convincing the fanboys. Young, waifish, and unglamorous, she in
no way resembles (in appearance and temperament) the sexy, sassy,
voluptuous, and now-20something comic book Rogue (the team's most popular
female member). But within the context of the film's story--that is, as
a "starting point" Rogue--her casting is understandable, and aside from
an inconsistent Southern accent, Paquin is perfectly adequate. Even so,
for the inevitable sequel, I suggest Singer pull an Anakin Skywalker and
age Rogue a few years by way of a recast--and thus bringing to the screen
the true Rogue fans know and love.
Needless to say, Rogue is the character that is least true to her
printed incarnation. In addition to the change in age, she is given a
real name (Marie), and her upbringing by evil mutant shapeshifter
Mystique (and, hence, Rogue's history as a villain) is completely
jettisoned. Mystique does appear in the film (played by Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos), but only as part of a fairly faceless support team (along
with Sabretooth and the aptly named Toad, played by Ray Park) for the
film's central villain, Magneto (Ian McKellen). Magneto is an old friend
of Xavier's, but the two drifted apart over their difference of
philosophy. Xavier believes that there is hope for regular humans to
accept mutantkind, but Magneto doesn't, preferring to go to war with
them.
Magneto's dastardly scheme to bring humans and mutants to level genetic
ground is the focus of the plot, and this thin story is indeed the film's
weakest element. But the shortcoming is easy to forgive when the
atmosphere and smaller details feel so right. The whole allegorical
issue of "mutant hysteria"--perpetuated by bigoted U.S. Senator Robert
Kelly (Bruce Davison)--is well-developed and played with the earnestness
it deserves, as is a WWII-era-set prologue that faithfully details
Magneto's beginnings. In fact, the serious--though never
pretentious--tone of the film perfectly matches that of the comic, never
veering into the camp sensibilities that have marred other
comic-to-screen adaptations. Singer and the writers must also be
commended for doing a bang-up job with the character relationships. The
tense triangle between Scott, Jean, and Logan is perfectly played out;
and Wolvie's bond with Rogue is also nicely handled.
But, being a fanboy, I'm not above nitpicking over certain things.
While the Wolverine/Rogue relationship works in the film's context, in
terms of the comics it bears more resemblance to his bond with two other
young mutants, Kitty Pryde and Jubilee (both of whom have cameos in the
film), than anything he ever had with Rogue. Another throwaway mutant
appearance, that of Iceman (here referred to only by his real name,
Bobby), is sure to upset purists; he's a teen and Rogue's kinda-sorta
boyfriend at Xavier's school. Rogue's young age also means the erasure
of the fascinating sexual tension between her and Magneto, which could
have come into play at a crucial juncture of the film. And pity poor
Storm. While Berry gives the character appropriate poise and elegance,
the writers give her very little to do. Her forceful leadership
abilities are gone, as are her claustrophobia (which should have been a
factor in one scene) and sisterly relationship with Jean. Plus, what is
the deal with that woefully unconvincing wig and her brown eyes (they
should be blue)?
But some things have to give when adapting a comic to film (much like
any book-to-screen translation), and for this fanboy, it's a relief that
overall _X-Men_ the film bears uncommon fidelity to its source material.
And as a critic, it's a relief to see an effects-laden popcorn movie
offer a bit more meat than is traditionally required of such films. That
said, _X-Men_ is best seen as just the jumping-off point for a possible
big screen franchise--one whose full potential can be realized in
subsequent installments.
Michael Dequina
two...@juno.com | michael...@geocities.com |
jorda...@sportsmail.com | mrb...@iname.com
Mr. Brown's Movie Site: http://welcome.to/mrbrown
CinemaReview Magazine: http://www.CinemaReview.com
on ICQ: #25289934 | on AOL Instant Messenger: MrBrown23
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Dustin Putman
Directed by Bryan Singer.
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke
Janssen, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos,
Tyler Mane, Ray Park, Shawn Ashmore.
2000 - 100 minutes
Rated PG-13 (for violence and mild profanity).
Reviewed by Dustin Putman, July 15, 2000.
It has taken over twenty years for Marvel Enterprises to adapt one of their
comic books into a live-action motion picture, but they have finally
succeeded with "X-Men," arguably their most popular current superhero series.
Having never read the comic before, or seen the animated series, my only
relation to the world of "X-Men" came eight years ago (when I was in middle
school), at a time when the collectors' trading cards were all the buzz. I
remember looking at my schoolmates' cards, and one night I even attempted to
go buy some, but either I looked in the wrong place or they were all sold
out. In the sixth grade, collecting "X-Men" cards was the "in" thing to do,
and being an impressionable preadolescent, it was relatively easy to get
swept up into the world of Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm, and the many other
characters. However, the fad never truly rubbed off on me, and aside from a
cursory knowledge of some of the "mutants" and their powers, I went in to see
the first "X-Men" movie, which is already shaping up to become a franchise,
without knowing very much in the way of details.
Being a non-fan, it is with pleasure to report that "X-Men" is a good,
respectable film--not 'great' by any stretch of the imagination--but one of
the very few comic book adaptations that has been successfully translated to
the big-screen. The opening chapter in the "X-Men" saga, I suspect, is more a
set-up for grander, more satisfying, things to come, much like the original
"Star Wars" was back in 1977. Some of the central characters are developed
more than others, and there is a great deal of exposition for which the
occasional action scenes are built around, but that is just fine, because
like "The Empire Strikes Back," "X-Men II" will begin to fill in the missing
puzzle pieces and concentrate on the characters and backstories that there
was no time for in the original.
Set in the not-so-distant future, when the United States Senate is attempting
to pass a bill against mutants (i.e. human beings who have obtained special
powers due to DNA mutations), headed by the discriminatory, close-minded
Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison). Magneto (Ian McKellen), a mutant whose family
was taken away from him during WWII, suspects that another present-day
Holocaust is at hand, and sets out with his henchmen, Mystique (Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos), a blue-skinned shapeshifter; Toad (Ray Park), who has a very,
very long tongue; and Sabertooth (Tyler Mane), a hairy man-beast, to prepare
for war. On the opposing side, the so-called X-Men, mutants who strive for
peace and acceptance, must stop Magneto before the point of no return. Headed
by Professor X (Patrick Stewart), a wheelchair-bound telekinetic, the X-Men
run a school for gifted mutants, with the faculty run by Dr. Jean Grey (Famke
Jannsen), also a telekinetic; Cyclops (James Marsden), whose eyes shoot laser
beams if not shielded by sunglasses; and Storm (Halle Berry), who can control
the weather.
The X-Men acquire two new mutants to their team after saving Wolverine (Hugh
Jackman) and Rogue (Anna Paquin) from an attack on a wintry Canadian country
road by Sabertooth. Rogue, a frightened 17-year-old high schooler, has run
away from home after kissing a classmate and inexplicably putting him in a
coma for three weeks. Holing up in a bar, she meets Wolverine and suspects
that they both may be mutants after seeing him get attacked by a group of
troublemaking men and defending himself by extracting sharp blades from in
between his knuckles. Because they both are outcasts, and Rogue cannot ever
come into human contact with anyone without sucking their life energy from
them, they quickly bond, and at first, do not know what to expect from the
Without the careful handling of the characters of Wolverine and Rogue,
"X-Men" would feel like a shallow excursion to oft-covered territory, just
as most comic book adaptations fall into the trap of. However, as played by
Aussie newcomer Hugh Jackman and Academy Award winner Anna Paquin (1993's
"The Piano"), and scripted by David Hayter, Wolverine and Rogue spring to
life, forming the heart and soul of the rather simplistic story. The
camaraderie that develops between the two, with Wolverine sort of becoming
the surrogate guardian of Rogue, is nicely developed and sweet.
The other X-Men aren't nearly as fully drawn, with most slinking in the
background for large periods of time, only to come into their own when they
must use their powers to save themselves or those around them. The exceptions
are Patrick Stewart ("Star Trek") and Ian McKellen (1998's "Gods and
Monsters"), as Professor X and Magneto, respectively, the leaders of their
conflicting sides. Both performers are effective and suitably cast, and this
is an especially nice change from Stewart's usual role as Captain Picard in
the "Star Trek" movies.
Meanwhile, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, despite having next to no dialogue, is
seductively threatening and leaves a memorable impression as Mystique,
arguably the nastiest villainess since Michelle Pfeiffer's Catwoman in 1992's
"Batman Returns." As the other evil opponents, Ray Park, as Toad, and Tyler
Mane, as Sabertooth, are fairly inconsequential characters, and the film
neither benefits nor suffers from their appearances. On the "good" side,
Famke Janssen (1999's "House on Haunted Hill") and Halle Berry (1998's
"Bulworth") are likable as Jean Grey and Storm (who has my personal favorite
superpower), but they have very little screen time and even less to do. In
the next "X-Men" installment, I am sure they will be more prominently
displayed. Finally, James Marsden is sorely disappointing as Cyclops,
although it is difficult to say whether his utter blandness is the fault of
the actor, or merely because he has the least to do. Based on his strong
previous work in 1999's "Disturbing Behavior" and 2000's "Gossip," my
suspicions point to the latter.
Unlike the "Batman" series, which catastrophically plummeted in quality
following "Batman Returns," "X-Men" relies more on storytelling than the
visual flair of the set design and cinematography, which is a wise choice.
Whereas "Batman" is a fantasy almost through-and-through, "X-Men" is set in a
realistic version of today's world, with characters that only happen to have
powers beyond normal human capabilities. Nonetheless, the visuals are
occasionally impressive, particularly a beautiful shot of a snow-covered
Canadian vista that is reminiscent of 1999's gorgeous "Snow Falling on
Cedars," as well as the climax set atop the Statue of Liberty.
At 100 minutes (including end credits), "X-Men" reaches its finale about
fifteen minutes too quickly, leaving a sneaking feeling that a fair amount of
footage was left on the cutting room floor. Better to end while leaving its
audience wanting more, however, rather than wearing out its welcome with an
excessive running time. In an attempt to bring a Marvel comic book to life,
20th Century Fox has created an entertaining, if slight, motion picture in
"X-Men," undoubtedly only the beginning in a successful new franchise, and if
it's any indication that director Bryan Singer (1995's "The Usual Suspects")
has succeeded, I am already anxiously awaiting a sequel. Look for it to be
released in 2002. You can mark my word with a capital "X."
- Copyright 2000 by Dustin Putman
Http://www.young-hollywood.com
Http://www.atnzone.com
Shannon Patrick Sullivan
Directed by Bryan Singer. Screenplay by David Hayter, from a story by Tom
DeSanto and Singer. Starring Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, Ian McKellan.
Running time: 96 minutes. Rated PG for frightening scenes by the MFCB.
Reviewed on July 17th, 2000.
By SHANNON PATRICK SULLIVAN
Unlike novels, comic books have traditionally proven extremely difficult
to translate to the big screen. The list of quality film versions of
comics is precipitously short: the original "Superman", the odd-numbered
"Batman"s, "The Matrix", and little else. Marvel Comics -- historically
one of the two dominant players in the comic book industry -- has been
particularly inept in turning its super-heroes into box office gold, with
most of its films either dying a quick death or going straight to video
("Blade" being a notable exception).
Part of the reason for this is that several movies featuring Marvel's
toplining characters have been stuck in development hell for years.
Finally, however, their most popular franchise has made it into theatres as
"X-Men", a film about mutants, humans who represent mankind's next stage
of evolution. Mutants develop extraordinary powers, but have incurred the
suspicion and fear of normal people as a result.
Mutant abilities usually manifest themselves after puberty, as with
Southern teenager Marie (Anna Paquin). While making out with her
boyfriend, she discovers that her touch drains a person's "life force" --
whether she wills it or not. Panicking, Marie hits the road, assuming the
alias "Rogue". Making her way into northern Canada, she meets Wolverine
(Hugh Jackman), a mutant with a shadowy past who rapidly heals wounds and
has metal claws which emerge from his hands.
Wolverine and Rogue are attacked by the super-strong Sabretooth (Tyler
Mane). They are saved by Cyclops (James Marsden), who shoots lasers from
his eyes, and Storm (Halle Berry), who controls the weather. Together
with telekinetic Dr Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), Cyclops and Storm are
members of the X-Men, a team of mutants formed by Professor Charles
Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who believes that mutants and regular humans
should strive for peaceful coexistence. He is opposed by Magneto (Ian
McKellen), whose Brotherhood of Mutants -- including the nimble Toad (Ray
Park), shape-shifting Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), and Sabretooth --
is dedicated to the eradication of non-mutants.
The "X-Men" comic book was borne out of the social unrest of the Sixties,
with mutantkind acting as a catch-all parallel for any oppressed
minority. That metaphor is no less effective today, and the "X-Men" movie
adroitly paints a world which resents mutants, without going over the
top. We can understand why normal humans react the way they do, even if
we disagree with them.
Particularly well-handled is Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison), a
McCarthy-like figure who wants to enact mutant registration laws and
other rights-restricting measures. An early scene in which Kelly waves
around a list of "known mutants" is chilling -- made all the more so by
the excellent publicity strategy for the film, which saw real people
"campaigning" for Kelly and the creation of an "anti-mutant" website.
"X-Men" boasts several fine performances, particularly Jackman as the
feral Wolverine. He manages to infuse his anti-hero role with humor and
nobility, creating an exciting, engaging character. Also commendable is
Paquin as Rogue, the film's most tragic figure. She conveys the panic and
confusion Rogue experiences without neglecting the spunk and
self-confidence which propels her character. The other actors have more
limited screen time but generally do a good job with their material. Of
note is Park ("The Phantom Menace"'s Darth Maul) who turns the
potentially farcical Toad into an enjoyable yet threatening character. The
entire array of "X-Men" characters is well chosen, diverse in both power
and appearance.
Visually, "X-Men" is inspired, making the most of its comparatively
limited budget (about US$75 million, in an era when most movies of its
stature cost twice as much). Magneto's island base and the X-Men
headquarters are well-designed, and the special effects are low-key but
convincing. The realisation of super-hero costumes has long been a sore
point for the genre; "X-Men" eschews the heroes' comic book attire for
stylish motorcycle uniform-type outfits. The film also boasts some lovely
attention to detail. For instance, one young mutant (inspired by the
comics character Iceman) has the power to instantly freeze moisture. When
he speaks, you can see his breath.
Director Bryan Singer does an effective job, setting the tone with a
faux-"Schindler's List" scene of a young Magneto in a Nazi concentration
camp. (This has drawn some criticism for being inappropriate, but I
thought it was tactfully handled, and established a palpable mood.)
Singer avoids the extremes of the "Batman" franchise by not letting
things get too campy or too grim. He allows for a lot of humor (including
some cute in-jokes for fans of the comic book) without forgetting the
serious nature of the allegory the film is drawing.
It is unfortunate, then, that the script (by David Hayter and a host of
uncredited contributors) treats the anti-mutant subject matter only
cursorily after the first few minutes. At one point, Wolverine asks Storm
if she truly believes Xavier's side is the right one. But the question
may as well have been rhetorical, so little doubt is there as to anyone's
allegiances.
The movie's biggest flaw is that it spends so much time on set-up that
the actual meat of the plot (Magneto's strike against mankind) seems
almost an afterthought. To an extent, this is unavoidable, given the
dizzying number of characters and concepts to be comprehensibly
introduced. But I don't see why "X-Men" couldn't simply have been
lengthier -- at just over an hour and a half, it is not exactly a long
movie.
I can only guess that the filmmakers felt the need to pander to the
attention span-deficient MTV generation, and feared that a protracted
movie would be less commercially viable. But I never found my interest
flagging at any point; indeed, I wanted to know more about these
characters and see the plot better developed. I was sorely disappointed
that these things did not happen. If nothing else, "X-Men" leaves me
looking forward to the sequel for which it is so clearly paving the way.
Copyright © 2000 Shannon Patrick Sullivan.
Archived at The Popcorn Gallery,
http://www.physics.mun.ca/~sps/movies/X-Men.html
_______________________________________________________________________
/ Shannon Patrick Sullivan | "We are all in the gutter, but some of us \
| sha...@mun.ca | are looking at the stars." - Oscar Wilde |
\___________________________|__________________________________________/
| Popcorn Gallery Movie Reviews www.physics.mun.ca/~sps/movies.html |
| Doctor Who: A Brief History of Time (Travel) /drwho.html |
Laura Clifford
Director Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") takes on a task that has had fans
of The X-Men comics frothing at the mouth for years - bringing their beloved
super heroes to the big screen. This daunting mission, with its many special
effects and giant budget, is now finished and the talented helmer has succeeded
in bringing the comic characters to life for both fans and newcomers alike in
"X-Men."
ROBIN:
Every few millennia, man undergoes certain changes, or mutations, that help
humankind to evolve into the next level of being. But, when these mutations
occur, the current residents of Earth fear the changes and strike out at the
mutants. Now, the world is in the midst of another round of mutations and the
'normal' humans, led by firebrand Senator Kelly (John Davison), want a final
solution for the problem. The senator and his followers do not want the
mutants, called X-Men, to roam free and a new Holocaust is brewing.
Psychic Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) heads a government program
that trains and educates the next generation of mankind, nurturing his wards to
develop the various changes they are undergoing. He also leads the X-Men,
good-guy mutants who use their power to protect Earth from the evil Magneto
(Ian McKellen). Magneto is a magnetically charged tyrant mutant who wants to
take over the world for his own selfish purposes. The only thing standing
between him and world domination is Xavier and his X-Men.
The professor is joined in the battle by his protigi of psychic power, Dr. Jean
Grey (Famke Janssen), Storm (Halle Berry) and the laser-eyed Cyclops (James
Marsden) in his quest to defeat the wicked plans of Magneto. The good guys are
well matched by the evil boss's minion - the shape shifting Mystique (Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos), the agile Toad (Ray Park, "Star Wars: Episode One") and the
powerful and mean Sabretooth (Tyler Mane). Thrown into the mix of this looming
battle is a surgically altered mutant and loner named Logan (Hugh Jackman).
Both sides vie for the loyalty of the battler, who also goes by the moniker
Wolverine, as Magneto hatches a plot to mutate the entire membership of the
United Nations and take over the world.
Director Singer walks a very fine line in this adaptation of the nearly four
decade old Marvel comic book series. The trick in adapting such fan-dedicated
source material to a feature film lay in appealing to an audience that is not
exclusively made up of just the fan base. A recent example of the difficulty of
maintaining such a balance can be seen in the 1997 sci-fi film, "Spawn." That
actioner went under the assumption that catering to the fans, alone, was enough
to generate substantial box office bucks. It wasn't and the film didn't do as
well as its producers had hoped.
Singer strikes a balance for the fan and non-fan that does two things. The
newcomer to this potential film franchise is fed enough background information
so that there is a basic understanding of what "X-Men" is all about. The
makers don't dwell on the education process for the novice viewer, providing
the gist of the material needed to move things along. It gets down to business
once the viewer is told, basically, that stuff happens - people mutate.
When the story kicks in, the characters are introduced with little fanfare as
the individual powers of each are explained or displayed. This is where the
copious special F/X kick in and the super powers of Storm, Cyclops, Toad and
the rest are displayed with all kinds of flash and smoke. Not a lot of time is
spent on character development, but the crew of talented actors help flesh out
their assignments, in some cases quite well.
Much of the focus of the story is on Logan. He's a sullen loner, a mutant who
was altered to accommodate a super strong skeletal frame. He can also thrust
saber-like blades from his hands and has astonishing healing powers. The
Wolverine takes on the task of protecting a young mutant named Rogue (Anna
Paquin). Rogue is pivotal in Magneto's plans and it's up to Logan and the rest
to stop him. Hugh Jackman gives dimension to his super hero performance with his
dark wit and brooding demeanor. Of course, his hairdo and mutton chop sideburns
help lend to his Wolverine image, too.
The rest of the cast, led by Patrick Stewart, fare unevenly. Stewart is his
usual stalwart self and is made for the role of Charles Xavier. He exudes
leadership quality and kindness as he guides his X-Men into battle. Ian
McKellen looks good as chief bad guy Magneto, but his evilness is not bad ass
enough. Halle Berry, as stormy Storm, gets few lines and isn't allowed to
break out the F/X laden character who can conjure up a tempest at the drop of
a hat. Famke Janssen has a nice presence as Jean Grey, though her telekinetic
powers are no where near as flashy as the others' are. Anna Paquin is bland
and emotionless as Rogue, who can suck the life from a person. Paquin's
performance does much the same to the character. Romijn-Stamos puts it on the
line as the shape-shifting Mystique, undergoing grueling makeup prep for many
hours each day. It pays off as the former model's lithe gracefulness fits the
sexy, somewhat reptilian character that can become an identical copy of whoever
she wants. Ray Parks provides terrific athletic ability as the super tongued
Toad.
The production befits the material. If you expect flashy F/X, you get 'em here.
Each of the X-Men has a unique power and the effects team does a solid job of
making each special. Costuming takes a real departure from the colorful dress
of the comics, replacing colors with sleek black uniforms. The stylish set
designs give the film a stunning look - make note of the futuristic prison
setting - that suits the comic book feel of the film. There is also some nice
homage to such classic films as "Forbidden Planet" and, with a battle royale
atop the Statue of Liberty, Alfred Hitchcock's "Saboteur."
As expected, the film ends with a couple of set ups that are, undoubtedly,
intended as the basis for the X-Men franchise. There are two more films in
development and the material should flow quite easily for the sequels. The deft
way that Singer and company have transferred the action comics to the big
screen reps one of the best efforts since "Superman II" and will win some new
fans. Older auds may not be too taken by "X-Men," but the demographic it aims
at hits the bull's-eye. I give it a B.
LAURA:
Director Bryan Singer, who last cast Ian McKellen as a Nazi war criminal
in "Apt Pupil," begins his comic superhero movie "X-Men" with McKellen's
character of Magneto as a victim of his former self, establishing his
metal bending powers as his parents are herded into a gated Jewish ghetto.
This backstory also signals what's good about the X-Men tale - the bad
guy isn't simply evil for badness' sake but fears persecution for his
difference, while the good guys, led by Patrick Stewart's telepathic Professor
X, protect a human race that often acts reprehensibly. This is no simple
morality play.
The story (story by Tom DeSanto and Bryan Singer, screenplay by David Hayter)
very effectively sets up the world of X-Men even for those like myself who
have no familiarity with the comicbook series. In a near future Senator Robert
Jefferson Kelly (Bruce Davison, "Longtime Companion") is fighting for
legislation that would require mutants to be 'outed' because of their
potential danger to humans. In response, Magneto and his camp (wrestler
Tyler Mane as Sabretooth, swimsuit model Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique
and Phantom Menacer Ray Park as Toad) wants to take over the world and
plans to begin by using the life force powers of Rogue ("The Piano's" eleven
year old Oscar winner Anna Paquin, now an adolescent) to juice a machine
in the Statue of Liberty which will irradiate the entire population of New
York City, killing Rogue in the process.
The real star of this ensemble piece is Australian newcomer Hugh Jackman's
Wolverine, a conflicted loner with heightened senses and the ability to
shoot longer razor claws out of his knuckles (he resembles Quentin from
the old 70's gothic soap "Dark Shadows"). When Rogue runs away from home
after putting the first boy she's kissed into a coma, she recognizes Wolverine
as a fellow mutant in a smoky bar and becomes his protegee. When they're
attacked on the road by Sabretooth, they're aided by Cyclops (James Marsden,
"Gossip") and Storm (Halle Berry) and whisked away to Professor X's school for
mutants. Rogue does well, but Wolverine still bristles, loner that he is,
even as he falls for Cyclops' girlfriend, Dr. Jean Gray (Famke Janssen,
"Rounders"), setting up a nice overlapping love triangle as Rogue develops a
crush on the wolfman. The Wolverine/Cyclops friction opens the door for some
refreshing humor to lighten the dark film.
"X-Men" is story and character driven, yet it does feature some fine
fight scenes, where Ray Park and Romijn-Stamos really shine. Toad scrambles
across ceilings and flicks a grossly extended tongue while Mystique
flexes her perfect bod attired in nothing but blue paint and scales (which
required fifteen hours a day to put on and remove!). Jackman (who replaced
Dougray Scott when M:I-2's shooting schedule ran over) will surely become
a star with this vehicle, although not all the oddly-assembled cast fare
as well. The bad X-Men have practically zilch in the way of dialogue
except for Magneto and the Oscar-nominated McKellen is a little bland in the
role. On the flip side, Patrick Stewart seems born to play the
wheelchair-bound Professor X and former friend of Magneto (they still enjoy
a good game of chess). Janssen is an appropriately sensitive Gray and
Marsden portrays Cyclops as a gung-ho hotshot, but Berry does little more
than look cool with her white hair and black cape while Paquin is stuck in
the victim role. Davison is sleezy as the rabble rousing Senator who
meets a spectacularly inventive demise.
Special effects range all over the map from cheesy lightening bolts to
rather cool stepping slates that appear in front of Magneto as he walks
through mid air. Cinematographer Tom Sigel, who brought such a unique
look to "Three Kings," does little to distinguish himself here, with the
overall look of the film being too dark. Claustrophobic sets (Production
Design by John Myhre, Art Direction by Paul D. Austerberry, Tamara Deverell
and Rando Schmook) also give the film a low rent feel. Hopefully the
sequels will be brightened up and opened out. Costume design (Louise
Mingenbach, Bob Ringwood) is pedestrian while Makeup (Ann Brodie) is
outstanding.
Far more serious than the ragtag "Mystery Men," "X-Men" are like
live action "Pokemon" for adults. This franchise seems destined to
outlive the superhero series that came before.
B
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Mark O'Hara
The summer of 2000 has a lot to offer when it comes to movies, and Bryan
Singer’s X-MEN only adds to your choices.
OK – it’s not the comic book, but it’s a darn well-made movie, with a large
and solid cast, and you don’t have to be familiar with Stan Lee’s comics to
pick up and enjoy the story.
The premise? A result of quickened evolution, mutated humans have developed
a range of extraordinary powers. Trouble is, they pose a threat to the rest
of humanity, or at least to those hatemongers who want to pass laws to force
“mutants” to register (as Jews registered early during the Nazi terrors?).
Many mutants are allied with Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who
runs a special school for “gifted youngsters” and who is himself a mutant,
with powerful telepathic capabilities. Dr. X’s nemesis is Magneto (Sir Ian
McKellen), a sometime friend who believes he is leading a war against humans
– the species that would annihilate mutants. Magneto’s specialty is
creating magnetic fields, and all kinds of mayhem involving metal.
A side conflict that flows into the primary one involves Senator Robert
Jefferson Kelly (Bruce Davison), who is the main political force against
mutants. In one early scene he is assailing the credibility of Dr. Jean
Grey (Famke Janssen), who is testifying before Congress on behalf of her
fellow differently abled homo sapiens. (Dr. Grey is telekinetic, with
telepathic powers in their infant stages.) What keeps us engaged in the
story is the question of whether Magneto will succeed in his campaign
against conventional humankind. Will he thwart both Senator Kelly and the
superintelligent Dr. Xavier?
The acting is strong, helping to make a fantastic story more plausible.
Stewart delivers a magnificently understated performance, showing the
control and range of emotion of a master actor. I would tend to agree with
some critics that McKellen is a tad too old for Magneto, though he too
achieves a masterful subtlety of character. This is a pair of seriously
talented actors playing unusual but gripping antagonists.
Hugh Jackman plays a brooding Wolverine. This character is virtually
indestructible, his powers a bizarre combination; his body almost instantly
heals itself, but his mind is continually bothered by the traumatic
experiments done to him at some earlier time (that he cannot remember). The
perverse experimenters implanted a wondrous metal skeleton throughout his
body. Anyhow…Wolverine is moody and extremely powerful, his sword-like
talons shooting from his knuckles, and Hugh Jackman creates a level of
sympathy that superheroes don’t usually receive.
The rest of Wolverine’s cohorts – the “good” X-Men working with Xavier –
include Janssen as Jean Grey, Grey’s boyfriend Cyclops (James Marsden),
Storm (Halle Berry) and the newcomer Rogue (Anna Paquin). The baddies –
Magneto’s henchmen – are Sabretooth (Tyler Mane), Toad (Ray Park), and the
intriguing Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos). Although some of these
characters are featured less than others, all of the actors turn in
transparent jobs.
Bryan Singer keeps a tight pace but does not ignore characterization. His
scenes are functional, and they don’t feel the pressure of supplying
non-stop action. We need to feel close to the featured X-Men, just as Stan
Lee causes readers to sympathize with the print versions of these mutated
heroes. And character development serves Lee’s creative purposes.
If you are a fan of the comic, you will be instantly aware of the plainness
of the heroes’ costumes. Wolverine appears mostly in street clothes, and
when he joins the other X-Men, he dons their same black body armor. (We are
treated to a piece of wit, by the way, concerning Wolverine’s usual yellow
tights.) I think the lack of flamboyance actually helps the story; we are
not distracted by the neon colors. In addition, Jean Grey appears normal,
Janssen’s dark hair supplanting Grey’s orange. Good decisions, Mr. Singer.
In all, X-MEN does suffer from the formulaic blues, the clichés of superhero
stories coming out all over. But there is enough catchy dialog, cool
powers, and human interest to make the running time seem very quick.
Wherever your tastes in movies run, X-MEN will keep you entertained this
summer.
________________________________________________________________________
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Rose 'Bams' Cooper
Rated PG-13; running time 140 minutes
Genre: Action
IMDB site: http://us.imdb.com/Details?0120903
Official site: http://www.x-men-the-movie.com/
Written by:Christopher McQuarrie, Ed Solomon
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Sir Ian McKellen, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin,
Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Ray Park, Tyler Mane,
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davison, Shawn Ashmore (Bobby)
Review Copyright Rose Cooper, 2000
Review URL: http://www.3blackchicks.com/bamsxmen.html
Let me just say right off the bat that the closest I ever got to "X-Men"
comics was [I can't believe I'm confessing this] when I used to read
"Betty And Veronica"; that, and watching my sons play the "X-Men" arcade
game. I had a passing knowledge of the basic idea of the
Super(anti)Heroes, but not much more than your average Chick. Suffice
it to say, except for my ongoing Beef that Angela "Born To Be 'Storm'"
Bassett wasn't in it, I went into this flick with a clean slate, not
quite knowing what to expect.
And while I didn't come out with nearly the "wow" feeling that I had
from a similar-in-spirit flick - 1999's THE MATRIX - I can honestly say
that X-MEN was a damned sight better than most of the live-action
remakes of cartoons and comics I've had the sorry "pleasure" to witness
[cf BATMAN AND ROBIN and ROCKY AND BULLWINKLE]. Heck, I can say more
than that: I actually liked X-MEN.
The Story (WARNING: **spoilers contained below**):
In the not-too-distant future, genetically-altered mutants will become a
"forward leap" in mankind's evolution. And, as has been proven in
mankind's past dealings with those seen as Different, that evolution
will be feared - possibly to the point of extinction.
As an orphaned survivor of the Holocaust in Poland, Magneto (Sir Ian
McKellen) has no intention of being vulnerable to the whims of mortal
men again. Using his powers of literal magnetism, he gathers other
mutants of similar mind - including super-strong Sabretooth (the
aptly-named Tyler Mane); the flexible (of tongue and limb) Toad (Ray
Park); and shapeshifting Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) - to gain the
upper hand on normal humans before McCarthy-ite Senator Kelly (Bruce
Davison) and his ilk try to legislate the mutants out of existence.
But Magneto and the Bad Mutants have to contend with the X-Men:
Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), a loner whose whole body is his weapon; Rogue
(Anna Paquin), a sensitive teen whose mere touch can bring death;
Cyclops (James Marsden), whose unshielded eyes have the same effect as
Rogue's touch; Storm (Halle Berry), who can control weather in powerful
ways; Dr. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), who has the gifts of telepathy and
telemetry; and their leader, super-psychic Professor Charles Xavier
(Patrick Stewart). Despite their ability to cause mutants permanent
grief, Prof. X still believes in the basic goodness of human beings, and
brings in young and old mutants into his School For The Gifted to teach
them how to Use Their Powers For Good, to best serve humanity.
The Upshot:
The best compliments I can pay to X-MEN are that it did not get
overwhelmed by its (pretty decent) special effects, and that it provided
a good (without being condescending) introduction to a world formerly
known only to fans of the comic books, and to a lesser extent, the video
games. Not being plugged in to either of those pasttimes, I cannot say
with any authority whether it was a completely valid introduction, but,
as I mentioned earlier, I've seen much, much worse. I can dig this one.
Effects-wise, I wasn't as impressed as I thought I'd be; once you get
past their basic powers - Sabertooth's Bigness, Cyclops' fire-shooting
eyes, and Wolverine's claws - the thrill is gone. I had high hopes of
seeing Something Special from Storm, but was let down there, too. In
fact, the most impressive part of the flick was Cyclops' motorcycle
[yes, I know: spoken as a true gearhead]. Still, Mystique was true to
form [uh, no pun intended], and Toad was someone I'd Like To Get To Know
Better...if you know what I mean [And I Think That You Do].
performances of its cast; wherever the writing and direction went
lacking (and it was, in quite a few places; it wasn't until more than
halfway through the movie, for instance, that X-MEN seemed to recognize
the potential humor in Wolverine's and Cyclops' pissing contest), the
actors came through with better-than-expected, honest depictions of
their comic-book characters. It would've been all too easy to play it
for camp, or go the "Batman" route with overly-maudlin performances; to
their credit, this mostly-unglittery (with obvious exceptions) cast
played it straight without being stodgy or overblown.
This first in an apparent series (that "ending" was anything but) was
obviously Wolverine and Rogue's story, and actors Jackman and Paquin had
the lion's share of the lines and action. They did well, as did Stewart
as the hopeful Professor X and McKellen as the very bitter Magneto.
Most of the rest of the players were there in truly supporting roles,
whether limited by their own acting abilities (most notably Berry as
Storm; I'll get to her later) or by the necessity of their character's
limited movements (I felt bad for Tyler Mane; after all, what can a big
Sabretooth do but roar excessively?) Ray Park, though, Worked It as
Toad; by far my favorite mutant, he turned Being Bad into an art form.
Bru'man most def had an Evil Tigger quality about him.
Having said all that, while I did enjoy the movie, I walked away feeling
somewhat unsatisfied, and with more questions than answers. Probably
much to the delight of the filmmakers, who've set this up as a
"Batman"-like franchise. One can only hope X-MEN as a series has more
staying power. And, hopefully for the follow-up flick, a stronger
ending.
The "Black Factor" [ObDisclaimer: We Are Not A Monolith]:
Another disclaimer: it's no secret that I don't hold a lot of stock in
Halle Berry's acting abilities, and that I would've much preferred
Angela Bassett in this role [dammit, she really was Born To Be Storm.
grumble.] Even with that bias, though, I really did try to give Berry
the benefit of the doubt. She almost had me on her side; her character
not having a whole lot to do but speak her limited lines with a weirdly
affected accent, I could've lived with her just Standing There, Being
Pretty.
And then she had to ruin my illusions with a Keanu Moment (SMALL SPOILER
AHEAD): "You know what happens when a toad gets hit by lightning? Same
thing as what happens to everything else." (END SPOILER)
Whoa.
Hmm...is it too late to suggest Grace Jones for the next flick?
Bammer's Bottom Line:
It ain't rocket science [hmmm...actually, in this case, it might just
be] but X-MEN was a good fun romp for an hour or two; certainly, as a
direct-from-the-comics flick, it ran circles around TEENAGE NINJA MUTANT
TURTLES. Not that that'd be all that big a circle to start with...
I'll be impressed when they add the Computer Geek Mutant.
Rose "Bams" Cooper /~\
Webchick and Editor, /','\
3BlackChicks Review /','`'\
Movie Reviews With Flava! /',',','/`,
Copyright Rose Cooper, 2000 `~-._'c /
EMAIL: ba...@3blackchicks.com `\ (
http://www.3blackchicks.com/ /====\
ram.sa...@stanford.edu
http://www.ram.org/ramblings/movies/xmen.html
Marvel comics, especially Stan Lee-influenced creations, have been
marked by a balance between snappy banter and seriousness (the best
rationale for this is given in the /Spiderman/ comic books). The
/X-Men/ movie achieves this balance, and that's what makes it one of
the best live-action film adaptations of a comic book.
The script is short and to the point, set on the foundation of a
conflict between Homo sapiens and Homo superior (people with genetic
mutations that enhance their survival ability). The first part
introduces us to the X Men and how they all band together. The second
involves overthrowing a plan by a renegade mutant, Erik Magnus
Lehnsherr aka Magneto (Ian McKellen), who plans to transform all the
world's elite into mutants so they all will share a common bond and,
consequently, a common fate.
In almost any comic book adaptation, the most important quality is the
appropriateness of casting. Surprising, everyone cast in the film is
excellent for the part they have been chosen. Among the heroes, these
include Patrick Stewart as Professor Charles Francis Xavier aka
Professor X, Hugh Jackman as Logan aka Wolverine, Halle Berry as Ororo
Munroe aka Storm, Famke Janssen as Jean Grey, James Marsden as Scott
Summers aka Cyclops, and Anna Paquin (playing a strikingly different
role from the one she had in /Hurlyburly/) as Marie aka Rogue. Among
the villains, we have the aforementioned Ian McKellen as the
archvillain Magneto, Tyler Mane as Victor Creed aka Sabretooth, Ray
Park, casting off his Darth Maul costume and acquiring a long tongue,
as Mortimer Toynbee aka Toad, and the beautiful Rebecca Romijn-Stamos
as Raven Darkholme aka Mystique. All the female actors are really hot
(and the boys aren't too bad either).
Like I said, a nice balance between humour and a solid story has been
achieved here by director Bryan Singer. The movie contains some of the
best one-liners (like "keep your eye open", said to Cyclops) seen on
screen this summer but also has a plot that's tight and focused. The
acting doesn't matter much, but Stewart and McKellen deliver excellent
performances which adds a more sophisticated touch to a film that
already looks cool, thanks to extremely intelligent special effects (a
path forming as the X-Men walk; Wolverine's adamantum claws appearing
and disappearing; Magneto's mutant power that will point guns back at
the people trying to fire upon him). Perhaps reduced budgets lend to
greater creativity!
The parallels between Professor X and Martin Luther King Jr., and
Magneto and Malcolm X, have long been made. Likewise with the
connection between racism and the discrimination the mutants have to
endure. At its most abstract, the X-Men stories are an observation
about human xenophobia, with some neat sci-fi ideas thrown in.
Unlike most other comic books, I've never been into X Men as team very
much. (The Universe became too large for me; something the film neatly
avoids.) I preferred one-off stories featuring characters like
Wolverine and Cable. The cartoons appealed to me more, but I was
apprehensive going into the film. My fears were unfounded: /X-Men/ is
a must-see for any fan of the summer blockbuster; it's mixture of
style and substance will satisfy both fan and non-fan of the comic
book.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
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Movie ram-blings: http://www.ram.org/ramblings/movies.html
JONATHAN RICHARDS
MUTATIS MUTANDIS
THE X-MEN
Directed by Bryan Singer
Screenplay by David Hayter, based on the Marvel Comics characters
With Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart
UA South PG-13 100 min
It's the not-too-distant future, and mutants (the kind with
superpowers) are beginning to make their presence felt in our society.
Society is not pleased - you know how it gets about accepting people who
are different. As Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison), the leader of the
anti-mutant putsch, thunders in Congress, "Would you want them teaching
your children?"
The allusion to gay rights is clear, but it's tricky metaphorical
ground. Kelly is a McCarthyesque bad guy, but when he rants about the
dangers these mutants pose, he's onto something - there are good mutants
and bad mutants, but even the good ones are capable of some pretty
horrendous destruction. And as for the bad ones, well, you don't want
to know.
Still, this is rousing, crisply done stuff for a summer action
blockbuster. It boasts a top director (Bryan Singer, The Usual
Suspects), and a fine cast led by intense newcomer Hugh Jackman
(Wolverine, who seems less a mutant than a victim of fiendish science)
along with British veterans Patrick Stewart (Dr. Xavier, leader of the
can't-we-get-along mutants) and Ian McKellan (Magneto, dark prince of
the disaffected branch, who has good reason to distrust the essential
decency of humankind.) The Xs, by the way, include women - they're
really X-People. The movie has style, and emphasizes character as well
as special effects, which makes a nice balance. Ultimately it turns out
to have nowhere to go, and halfheartedly mutates into the final credits.
But of course it does have someplace to go: a promising future of
mutant sequels.
Homer Yen
by Homer Yen
(c) 2000
Rogue (Anna Paquin) has the power to absorb a person's
living energy merely by touch. She can't control this
power or its intensity. Cyclops (James Marsden) must
wear a special visor; otherwise, opening his eyes will
create an explosive burst of deadly energy. Thus, he
can never look upon the one that he loves with his own
eyes. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is an embittered and
belligerent soul. He can't remember his past, and
worst of all, he has no idea how his body was
transformed into some kind of walking Ginsu knife.
These are the X-Men, specially gifted people who are
psychologically conflicted. "X-Men" the movie also
seems somewhat conflicted and unbalanced. Yes, it has
some style and it's very cool to watch these wild
powers being unleashed. And it's impossible not to
like Patrick Stewart as the benevolent Charles Xavier
and Ian McKellen as the bent-on-world-domination
Magneto. But beyond this, there is little to marvel.
It is conspicuously devoid of action sequences, though
the finale is impressive. It lacks the color and the
energy that has propelled this comic book series into
the stratospheric best seller that it is. And, there
are just so many characters that many of them speak no
more than two or three lines (though to be fair, this
series has introduced more than 300 since it first
appeared in 1963, and in this film, there are only
eight.)
Unfortunately, this movie is more about background
than anything else. It's a 100-minute introduction
into the world of the X-Men, and this is exposition
that fans would probably rather do without. "Every
few millennia," the narrator says, "evolution leaps
forward." The result can be both wondrous and a
curse. For example, some may develop telekinesis,
telepathic ability, or even the ability to control
weather. Despite these amazing powers, because you're
a "freak of nature", you are feared and hated by
humanity. At this moment in time, a zealous Senator
(Bruce Davison) is proposing a mutant registration
program. He pleads to the people, "they are among us.
We must know who they are and what they can do."
Although this worries the sagacious Xavier, he
believes that mutants and humans can peacefully
co-exist. Magneto thinks otherwise. From personal
experience, he knows what it's like to be an outsider
and the destructive rage of a bigoted society. So, he
decides to show the human race firsthand what it's
truly like to be a mutant even if its consequences
might mean large-scale death of Holy War proportions.
Supporting his efforts are Sabretooth (Tyler Mane),
who has the strength of 20 men and the speed of a
gazelle; The Toad (Ray Park), who creatively uses his
12-foot projectile-like tongue; and the colorful
Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), who can assume the
likeness of just about anyone and does so with
reckless abandon. But Xavier and his X-Men are well
trained in the use of their powers and are prepared to
do battle on behalf of mankind.
The problem with "X-Men" is that it doesn't provide
sufficient power and pathos. The average moviegoer
and especially the fans will be somewhat disappointed
with the generic plot line. Many characters,
especially Storm (Halle Berry), are fairly flat and
only look cool when they summon up their powers. The
one exception was Wolverine. This walking switchblade
is probably the most popular character among fans.
Newcomer Hugh Jackman understands the fan's
appreciation for Wolverine's testy nature. To
properly motivate himself, he took a cold shower prior
to shooting. He even gets the best line of the movie
when he turns to Cyclops and warns him to "keep your
eye open." The film has its visual pleasures and some
amusing moments. However, this limp adaptation does
this comic book sensation very little justice.
Grade: C+
S: 0 out of 3
L: 1 out of 3
V: 1 out of 3
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