A welcome first entry

Rating: 9/10 (17 July 2000)

Let the franchise begin!
This new entry in the comic book character fight for box office glory (and the geek's hearts) delivers. But as good as this film is, it makes one wonder if the sequel can (A) live up to the first film or (B) be even better than the original. Sure, some X-Men were left out, but that's the reason to make a sequel. And while we're on that subject, why do we call it a sequel? The James Bond films have never been "sequels", the Star Wars films are certainly not "sequels".
The story was dead on for origins. Wolvie's powers and abilities, Rogue's fear of her powers, all beautifully explored. Anna Paquin really delivers in her performance here and, if the Academy didn't have their noses in the air about these kinds of films, she should be considered for another Oscar. Hugh Jackman is now a movie star in this country. Halle Berry was pretty good as the weather controller. James Mardsen could have been a little taller, but he made a good revisionist Cyclops.
The audience leaves wanting a little more. That is a great thing at the start of a franchise. Here's hoping the mutation (sorry) continues well into this (and hopefully the next) decade.