X-Men
Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Bruce Davison, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Ray Park, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane
Directed by: Bryan Singer
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Action, Adventure
2000
Times Seen:
Tim: 4
Awards:
The Movie Files Movie Championship I: Sweet Sixteen
Summary: In a world seperated into two groups: humans and mutants, two sides of mutants have begun to form. The first is led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), and he is joined by mutants such as Cyclops (James Marsden), Storm (Halle Berry), and Dr. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). Professor Xavier believes humans and mutants can co-exist. Opposing him is the team led by Magneto (Ian McKellen), and with him are including Sabertooth (Tyler Mane), Toad (Ray Park), and Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos). In the middle of these two teams are the unlikely pair of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Rogue (Anna Paquin). They find themselves at Professor Xavier's school for mutants, and in the middle of a raging war between Xavier and Magneto. The ending result could be the end of humanity as we know it. Now, Wolverine is pulled into the war, and must decide if he wants to be a part of the X-Men.
Review:
Tim: The classic comic book team comes to life on the big screen. The jump from comic book to movie was made near-flawlessly. Fans of the cartoon and the comics will absolutley love this movie. X-Men features most of the characters fans are familiar with, but gives them new spin (such as the ill-feelings between Cyclops and Wolverine). If you ever read the comic or watched the cartoon, you must see this movie.
If you know absolutely nothing of the X-Men, don't worry, this film will still be enjoyable to you. Don't wonder why the X-Men fan next to you is much more enthralled in the film than you are- because it will happen. However, the film contains enough action, excitement, and humor to keep you entertained. In addition, the film is explained brilliantly so that the most avid X-Men fan will have a brief refresher course in background, while the first time viewer learns all they need to enjoy the film.
Perhaps my favorite aspect of the movie is the character of Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman. Jackman does a tremendous job. From this movie, I began a fondness of Jackman's work (he was excellent in Swordfish, although the movie stunk). Jackman pulls off the character of Wolverine as if he had been practicing his whole life. He gives the character the needed gruff image, and pulls out one-liners as if he were the clawed-mutant himself.
The film is not without its share of flaws, mind you. Magneto's radiation-turning-mutant device is a little farfetched, but my advice is pay no attention to the more outlandish aspects of the film, but simply focus on the humor and action. It will make the film much more enjoyable. Oh, and believe it or not, there's a lesson to be learned from the film. Look carefully!
Rating 1-10
Tim's Rating: 8
If You Enjoyed This Movie, We Recommend: Superman, Swordfish, Star Trek: Generations, X2: X-Men United, X-Men 3, The Hulk, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2, Fantastic Four