Best Marvel Movie so far

Rating: 9/10 (16 July 2001)

I have to confess, "X-Men" has never been my favorite Marvel comic book-I prefer "Thor," "Silver Surfer" and "Fantastic Four". And there have been so many bad movies based on Marvel's characters that I skipped seeing "X-Men" in the theater. But I bought the video and watched it five times over the holiday break. Now I can't wait for the next one.	A decent script, a good director-Bryan Singer-and an excellent cast make this my favorite superhero movie since the 1978 "Superman". Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen embody Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto, respectively, so well that I can't imagine anyone else playing these roles. McKellen plays Magneto as both villain and victim-a man who was made a monster by monsters, and now wants to remake the world in his own twisted image. Stewart's Xavier, the archetypal teacher and father figure to his school of young mutant outcasts, is wise, witty, and caring. Oscar winner Anna Paquin brings the vulnerable waif Rogue to such vivid life that I don't mind the script changing her to a teenager. And Aussie newcomer Hugh Jackman so perfectly captures the spirit and personality of Wolverine that his height (6'3" vs. Wolvie's 5'3") was not an issue for me. All of Paquin and Jackman's scenes together are wonderful-two remarkable actors with an extraordinary chemistry between them. And that's the most remarkable thing about this movie-the quiet dialogue scenes between characters stayed with me long after the big action and fight scenes. Halle Berry's Storm holding the hand of a dying man, Xavier's first confrontation with Magneto, Rogue and Wolverine riding in his truck or on the train-I could go on and on. As far as I'm concerned, practically every change from the comic was an improvement. The only things that I really missed were Beast, Nightcrawler, and the Danger Room-but, hey, they have to save something for the sequel, right?