X Hits the spot

Rating: 10/10 (15 July 2000)

After months of anticipation the X-men movie has finally arrived. Now, as a big fan of the X-men comic book i was worried that it wouldn't live up to it, but not only is it the best movie of the summer, it is the best comic to movie adaptation since the first Batman movie. This film is action packed, but it also makes you feel for most of the characters and takes the time to tell a story. In fact for kids it's a story that teaches them about intolerence and being different.
i won't give away the plot but here's the basics. Professor Xavier leads a band of mutants known as X-men who serve his purpose to unite humans and mutants peacefully. He is in charged of a school for gifted youngsters who are young kids that are learning to control their mutant powers. The X-men include Cyclops, who can shot laser beams from his eyes, Storm, who can control the weather and Jean Grey, who possess telekenisis and mild telepathic powers. On the opposing side we have Magneto, who can manipulate anytihng metallic. He believes that mutants are the superior race and that the humans that fear and hate them should be destroyed. On his side is Mystique, a shape-changer, Toad, who possess incredible agility and a very trippy 15 ft long tongue that he shoots out of his mouth and sabertooth, who possess fast healing factor and super human strength. Both sides are very dedicated to the people who lead them but who's right or wrong about how humans accept them is yet to be determined. Caught in the middle is Wolverine and Rogue. wolverine possess fast healing factor and adamantium that was put into his body over 15 years ago and allows his retract claws from his hands. Rogue has the ability to drain a persons life force, making it impossible to have skin to skin contact with anyone. Professor X wants to train Wloverine and help him find his pass but Magneto wants something from Rouge that will help him with his plan.
First off the acting is great form everyone. Patrick Stewart is great as Professor X. i loved his performance and Ian Mckellan is perfect as magneto. he may not look the part but he plays the part well. Famke Janseen plays jean grey really well too. combining smarts and Sex appeal. i wish they would've gave her more to do but she was still good. Halle Berry is good as Storm. she looks the part and she gives storm a soul. i hope they expand on her part in the sequel becuase there's a lot there in the character thayt is waiting to come out. James Marsden, who has minimal screen time is cyclops, is still very good. hope they expand on his relationship with jean in the sequel becuase it isn't too apparent in this film. You can tell he has grown though as an actor after been in not so good teen films such as Gossip and Disturbing Behavior. Hugh Jackman and anna Paquin are the best performers in the film. he brings the chracter of Wolverine righ tof the comic books and unto the screen. he's funny, especially his frequent banter with Cyclops, he's emotional, his father/daughter relationship with Rogue is very well played in the film, and he's a loner who is searching for answers to his past. Anna Paquin plays the Rogue chracter as a vulnerable confused teenaged girl who is just learning about her mutant powers. This is a far cry from the strong southern belle in the comic but it will be interesting to see her grow in each film. The villians are a real treat. Rebecca Romjn stamos, has only one line as Mystique but she knows how to come off as simply evil. she knows how to work her body and the trippy make-up helps too. Ray Park is awesome as Toad. he's very funny and he brings his skills to the part such as he did in Star wars episode I. Tyler mane, who is a former pro wrestler is good as sabertooth. he basically just growls and grunts but he also knows how to come off as evil.
The action is fantastic in this film. From the fight between Wolverine and Mystique which is beautifully executed to the fight between storm, cyclops, jean and toad. When storm comes face to face with toad the special effects used here are great. The fight between Wolverine and Sabertooth on the Statue of Liberty is a bit anti-climatic but is still good.
One last point i would like to make is Bryan singer thanks for putting together a wonderful film. i'm a big fan of the comic book and i can honestly say you and everyone involved put together a great film. it leaves you wanting more and i think that's a good sign of a successful movie.

10/10