Excellent Sci-Fi Flick with Jackman

Rating: Null/10 (30 May 2004)

This 2000 film directed and written by Bryan Singer packs a wallop. It's all about mutants and mutant terrorists who finally fight their battle on and around the Statue Of Liberty. Terrific photography here and quite impressive stunts.
Let me start off by saying that Hugh Jackman shines in his incredible playing of Wolverine, a mutant. His agility, looks and characterization was flawless. I loved watching him when he was stalking his prey. Heard him in an interview saying he based this on early acting exercizes relating to animals. In this it was a wolf. Have seen this actor in several films as well as the Broadway musical, THE BOY FROM OZ, and he never ceases to amaze me with his talent. Go, Hugh! Then there's the distinguished Ian McKellen as Magento, the arch vilain of villains. He's so good. Patrick Stewart, who plays on the opposite side as Professor X, doesn't fare as well. Stewart, I felt a bit flat in his performance. Also on the good guys side are the handsome James Marsden as Cyclops, who has the ability of wiping out people and such just by looking at them, Halle Berry as Storm, in long platinum hair, who has the ability to fly and flash lightening bolts at her prey. Another distinguished actor, Bruce Davison, plays a Senator who is sacrificed for the cause. The three evil accomplices to Magento are Tyler Mane as a wolfman/caveman type bully, Ray Park as a toad like guy who can jump to ceilings and making use of his extended tongue to grab hold of objects, buildings and people and finally the lovely Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, all in blue nude, who is able to transfer herself into any other character in the film.
The one disappointing feature in this is Anna Paquin who plays Rogue, a young girl who seems to have the ability to kill people by her touch. I got annoyed with her and kept wishing she'd fade away. Fortunately, we don't see that much of Paquin. See this flick and watch for Jackman's career to rise. This guy is stupendous!