Reviewed by: Becca & Jeff

Directed by: Bryan Singer

Produced by: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter, & Richard Donner

Cast: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, & James Marsden

Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Action/Adventure 1 hr. 33 min.

Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, X-MEN takes place in the near future, as certain humans are evolving into mutants with special powers. In the Canadian wilderness, a young runaway mutant named Rogue (Anna Paquin) and a bad-tempered, quick-healing mutant with retractable metal claws called Wolverine are suddenly attacked by Sabertooth, one of Magneto's powerful lackeys. Fortunately, Cyclops and Storm, students of the compassionate Professor Charles Xavier, interfere and bring them back to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Here Wolverine and Rogue learn more about the conflict between Xavier and the militant Magneto, who wants to power a device that will genetically alter humans, with possibly deadly results. Only Xavier's students can stop Magneto's plans.

I really enjoyed this movie, I've tried to explain to Jeff that they were trying to explain the characters which is why it's a little slow. Of course, Jeff will hear nothing of it. Yes, the movie was less action based, and more about the characters. They did have their moments of cheesiness or flat out "That was stupid", but it's from a comic book, come on. Taking this movie seriously like it's The Life Of David Gale or something will only make you disappointed. I agree though that they did choose a couple of the actors poorly. However, Hugh Jackman as Wolfverine was pricely. I couldn't believe how well he did covering up his accent. Some may not agree but I think he was fantastic as Wolfverine. I use to watch the cartoons when I was little, and though I was disappointed compared to the cartoons. I realized that this was only the begining.

I was slightly disapointed in this movie. When I first heard that they were going to make an X-men movie, I was all afflutter, finally, the x-men, on the big screen. However, the translation from comic to movie didn't work as well as it did for spiderman. I felt some of the actors were poor choices for their roles. Like the actor who played cyclops, he looked like he was 22, while Jean Grey looked like she was 33. Now in the comic I don't think they had such a big difference in their age. Secondly, it was VERY corney the way Professor X introduced everyone as their alias. I think they could have written those in a little better, like had the person say, you can call me such and such. This comic didn't really have a lighter side, and the movie really gave it one, with little moments of comic relief that weren't really needed. I was disapointed, however it is still a good movie, and I'm hoping since they got a lot of the character development out of the way, that X2 will be more action based, with more kick @$$ mutant fighting (which I think it will).