Fantastic Adaptation!

Rating: 10/10 (17 November 2003)

Adapted from the most popular comic book on the planet and starring two Shakespearian actors, a virtually unknown Australian and directed by a man better known for a dark, edgy crime thriller, this really shouldn't be good, but it is. In fact it is fantastic. From beginning to end Bryan Singer makes what has to be one of the best comic book adaptations to hit the screen in years, perhaps the finest since Tim Burton brought Batman to the screen in 1989. What works so well here are the factors that should bring the film crashing down. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is fantastic, showing what a great star he could make. His perfect American accent and the wonderful dark edge, mixed in with humor and sincerity for Rogue make him the most perfect choice for the character.
In fact casting here is perfect, which is a miracle for a comic book that is not made up of one primary superhero like Superman, Batman and Spiderman are. X-Men is an ensemble and Singer casts actors perfectly in their parts. Patrick Stewart is undeniably the only actor who could play Professor X, likewise Ian McKellen as Magneto. Anna Paquin shows what a talent she can be in her more older years as Marie/Rogue, while Famke Janssen adds the glamorous as Doctor Jean Grey. The remaining X Men characters of Scott/Cyclops and Monroe/Storm are played well enough by James Marsden and Halle Berry, but don't really get a chance to shine in the same way as the others do, mainly due to the fact that the script has to accommodate so many characters, but that's why this film works so well. Singer and writer David Hayter have saw fit not to bombard the film with action sequences and flashy special effects, they let the characters come to life, have the audience care for them and when they have done that, then they bring out the action in the shape of the Statue of Liberty finale.
As the first part of a movie series, X-Men works a wonderful treat. The script is strong, the acting is first class and Bryan Singer's direction of the actors is fantastic as are his visual touches, which are very similar to comic book framing. Actors are film to one side of the frame while the remainder is taken up with the background. Touches like this show what a great director he is visually. Even better the action is brilliantly handled. The Liberty finale features a storming fight sequence between Logan and shape-shifter Mistique, who has taken the form of Logan himself. It is a fun sequence that is also gripping.
Scarcely a foot is put wrong in this superb film which ranks as one of my favorite comic book adaptations.