X-Men DVD > Reviews > better than I X-pected

Author's product rating:   

Did you enjoy it?	Liked it
Story	Good
Characters / Performances	Outstanding
Special Effects	Good
How does it compare to similar films?	Outstanding

Advantages:	good special effects and story line
Disadvantages:	~ DVD extras a little average

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Xmen.... well I remember the TV children’s cartoon and I’ve been aware of the comic series for quite a long time but I was a bit sceptical about watching the movie. I wasn’t a fan of the Batman movies and very few comic book/cartoon series have been turned into a decent movie.

If you remember the cartoon or the comic book then the story line of the film won’t come as much of a shock! Certain people have mutant genes and they mutate at puberty causing them to develop special powers. Obviously the public are scared of what they don’t understand and a good public speaker (US senators) begins to turn society against the mutants - a section of society that are slightly different from the norm.

Charles Xavier (played by James Stewart - AKA Captain Picard of Next Generation) runs a school for talented children which is basically a front for the Xmen. The Xmen are a group of mutants wanting mutants and humans to live together side by side.

Magneto, former friend and confidant of Xavier, was involved in the holocaust and the very moving scenes at the very start of the film show him separated from his parents in a concentration camp. It is at that very moment that he "discovers" his mutant powers. He, given his background uses his mutant powers (the control of magnetic fields) predicts a war between humans and mutants whereby mutants are likely to be persecuted.

So basically the film shows the battle between good (Xavier and his Xmen) and bad (Magneto and his band of not so merry mutants). But there is a much deeper meaning! It surely is not coincidence that the start of the film depicts scenes of the concentration camps during the holocaust? The film is about acceptance and the dangers of characters (like Hitler) who are able to turn the majority against the minority.

The film centres on two characters Wolverine and Rogue who are originally rescued by the Xman and encouraged to join the team to fight evil. I won’t go into particular details because I don't like opinions that ruin plots and I therefore try not to do so in mine!

The film sets the scenes for future Xmen movies and I’m sure there will be more. The film builds the love interests that run through the cartoon series and comic book. In that respect the film is sticking to its roots without story line changes. I think the reason they have waited so long to produce a Xmen movie is based on the advances we have made in special effects field. Technology today means that scenes of mutants using their powers looks spectacular and relatively realistic. So expect great special effects.

The film is rated 12 which is a fair classification. There is violence but as it’s based on the cartoon its suitable for that age group! The fact that its based on a popular children’s cartoon gives it an automatic popularity with youngsters but the appeal would not be lost on older generations. I can’t, however, see my Nan liking this film.

I would therefore recommend this movie to everybody. The effects are excellent as is the story line and acting. In summary I thorough enjoyed this movie in all areas I can’t really fault it.

The DVD is your average DVD. You can watch the movie with sub-titles, you can select several languages other than English. You can watch the trailers and a brief soundtrack advert. One feature that I was impressed by is the screen test for the actor playing Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Although this add very little to the film itself it is entertaining. You can also watch the deleted scenes but I didn’t find this that great a feature. OK you do get better quality picture but if you don’t have a DVD player independent of your PC or comfy seats by your PC then I’d go for the VHS version. The extras are good but not amazing. For me the novelty of DVD extra features is wearing off.