Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot. Miles: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm l...
Jack: If they want to drink Merlot, we're drinking Merlot. Miles: No, if anyone orders Merlot, I'm leaving. I am NOT drinking any f*****g Merlot!
Member since:03.02.2004
Reviews:36
Members who trust:20
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenplay: David Hayter
Cast: Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, High Jackman, Famke Janssen, James Marsen Anna Paquin, Ray Park
Story: The future. Mankind has evolved to a stage where ‘mutants’, people with superhuman powers, are revealing themselves to the world, while others choose to remain anonymous. Professor Charles Xavier wishes to educate humans and mutants so that they can live as one. Opposing him is Magneto, an old friend who believes the logical step forward is to wipe out the human race completely.
After a haunting war camp prologue, we are introduced to an almost serene confrontation between Professor X and Magneto. Stewart was clearly born to play the role of the professor and McKellen, with his snarling pearls of wisdom, looks every bit the worthy adversary. However it is not until the following scene that we are introduced to the real star of the film, the one man who grabs you by the throat and refuses to let go. That man is Hugh Jackmans’ Wolverine. Fuelled by inner rage and a serious attitude problem, Jackman is a revelation in bringing the clawed wonder to the screen. Think of an extremely bitter Maximus or Bud White, but with a chip on BOTH shoulders, and you have Wolverine. In fact, the Aussie is so darn good it makes you glad Dougray Scott was busy wrapping MI:2.
The supporting cast all prove good value too. Marsden is full of schoolboy charm as Cyclops, opposing Wolverines hardness with sheer cocky exuberance. Janssen is solid as the ambitious Jean Grey, and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos adds girl power as the deadly Mystique. While not all of the characters have made it, it’s great to see the ones that have remain faithful to their comic book origins. The only weak link is Storm. While everyone else gets some dialogue to play with, Halle Berry is reduced to spouting some truly ridiculous lines, the remark about lightning and toads being particularly cringe worthy.
Once introductions have been made, events unfold at a cracking pace. The plot is minimal so Singer keeps things interesting with plenty of set pieces to enjoy, serving mainly as an excuse for each X man and woman to show the opposition what they are capable of. Singer layers the action with some tongue in cheek humour (the yellow spandex line is a gem) and introduces some neat ideas, Wolverine one-on-one with Wolverine (yes you read that right) being one of them.
So far, so very good. But it’s difficult not to get the impression that X-Men is desperate to become a franchise. Whereas other big screen comic adaptations (Batman, Blade) hinted at the inevitable sequel, X-Men seem to be trying too hard. The breakneck pace is enjoyable, but gives the cast no room to breathe. A sub plot involving Wolverines past is hinted at, the relationship between Jean Grey and Cyclops is quickly forgotten about and while the action is adequate, the films’ payoff feels totally anti-climatic. Whereas the Wachowskis dazzled us with exciting technological advances in The Matrix, X-Men’s’ fights and explosions simply feel part of the superhero standard, nothing more, nothing less. It’s as if Singer is holding back, leaving all the good stuff for the later instalments (a sequel followed in 2003). By doing so, the first feature feels part of a serial rather then a complete movie experience.
However X-Men still makes for an engaging ninety minutes, you’ll realise this when it ends all too quickly, leaving you wanting more, and seeing as the sequel expanded on the story, this is no bad thing. So while being far from perfect, X-Men is not the disaster many had predicted. To his credit, Bryan Singer has managed to fashion a film that will appeal to a mass audience as well as satisfy die-hard X fans, and for that alone we should all be grateful.
Overall
All X-Men fans can breathe a sigh of relief! The comic book comes to life with good performances and effects. But remember, this is only the beginning…
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Willow Smith, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Charlie Tahan, Salli Richardson, Alice Braga
Production Year: 2007 - Science Fiction - Director: Francis Lawrence - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over - Starring: Alice Braga, Charlie Tahan, Dash Mihok, Will Smith, Salli Richardson, Willow Smith
I thought it was okay. I think I can agree with most of the things you've said. They've been doing better jobs out of the other Marvel comic superhero based movies.
jonesri 28.09.2004 14:43
I agree they did a good job with this film. Nice one. Rich
FC_Goat 03.09.2004 16:38
Great review, great movie. But why oh why does everyone always leave the lovely and talented Anna Paquin out of it when they're describing the cast or characters? In my humble opinion, apart from Wolverine, she made the movie! xxx
Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary and ... more
dangerous powers the result of unique genetic mutations. Cyclops unleashes bolts of energy from his eyes. Storm can manipulate the weather at will. Rogue absorbs the lif...
Although the superhero comic book has been a duopoly since the early 1960s, only DC's ... more
flagship characters, Superman and Batman (who originated in the late 1930s) have established themselves as big-screen franchises. Until now--this is the first runaway...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Although the superhero comic book has been a duopoly since the early 1960s, only DC's ... more
flagship characters, Superman and Batman (who originated in the late 1930s) have established themselves as big-screen franchises. Until now--this is the first runaway...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours...
Born into a world filled with prejudice are children who possess extraordinary and ... more
dangerous powers - the result of unique genetic mutations. Cyclops unleashes bolts of energy from his eyes. Storm can manipulate the weather at will. Rogue absorbs the l...
Postage & Packaging: £0.00 Availability: 3-5 working days
![X-Men [DVD] [2000]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/78537118.jpg "X-Men [DVD] [2000]")
Jun 13th, 2004
(Jun 29th, 2004)
very helpful by (100%):
