I think I liked it...

Rating: 9/10 (25 July 2000)

I saw the top 250 poll has it ranked at like 120 something, and that's pretty good considering it's company. But then I couldn't decide which way it should go. Was it that good that it should go up further and mix in with some of the truly timeless acts of classic movie making, or did it deserve to rest lower amongst the other super-fun Hollywood summertime fluff that it seems to fit in? But was it really fluff? Or was it the vindication movie of all comic book adaptations with an actual plot and purpose?
I'm really wrestling with this one.
How can you call a movie with action suits and dick jokes to be that brilliant, while at the same time with the undeniable presence of a complex and poignant social commentaries on segregation, resistance and acceptance call it popcorn fodder.
It's the feature film equivalent to a monster trampoline double-jump. And I'm still left hanging.
An interesting twist is that I've never been an x-men fan. Not to say I never liked them, but instead have never been exposed to it. 'Usual Suspects' though has been at the top of my list since the day I saw it. For these reasons I have been following the film for some time based and with greater exception placed upon the quality of Bryan's previous work and not on any hopes of making sure Canada was portrayed properly.
I had read a few articles prior to viewing, and have since seen way to many interviews and have read the original script. The more I uncover and the more I ponder this thought I really appreciate Bryan's own struggle when taking on this project on how to balance the cerebral and the physical elements available in it. He could have gone all action and made one whopper of a flick that appeased everyone in the Matrix crowd, or he could have hammed up the commentary to the point were Jim Lehrer would have raved about it as the movie of the year.
Instead there's a balance. A tenuous equilibrium. Difficult almost on the viewer at how carefully it wants to walk the line. But alas, I have to concede successfully.
Sure I could have asked for a few more punches and couple more things to blow up near the end, and of course I still have questions about the issues it raises half way up the flag but never quite comes clear on. But in the end I still felt satisfied.
So yes, after all this (and I do appreciate your patience) I liked it. I don't recommend anyone to go out and watch it for some kind of life affirming revelation on human interaction, not would I tear some teenage angst ridden kid away from one of their violent toys to go get their fill of mayhem. But I will tell anyone who wants to see it that I thought it was good. And that is really all they should have asked.