Marvel Comics Beyond the Page

Rating: 8/10 (29 October 2012)

I remember lining up along fellow Marvel fans in dire anticipation of the spectacle that was "X-Men." Finally, a Marvel movie was brought to the big screen with intensity and storyline that would drive the Hollywood film industry for the next decade. With the exception of the "Blade" franchise, which represents more of a minor character's appearance on the big screen, Marvel fans had only witnessed the disastrous and preposterous films based upon: Nick Fury, Captain America, Fantastic Four, and The Punisher.
In 1989, Tim Burton demonstrated to the world how comic book movies could be adapted, revolutionized, and modernized with his creation of "Batman." Marvel fans had to wait 11 years to experience this same sensation.
From the futuristic opening credits, director Bryan Singer plunges his audience into the mutant world of the X-Men.
A solid plot which explores the idea of eliminating the mutant problem, uncovering Wolverine's origin, and the comparative yet dissimilar perspectives of friends yet enemies, Magneto and Professor X.
Magneto (Ian McKellen) assembles a modern-day "Brotherhood" consisting of a crafty and sinister Mystique,a too dumb for his own good Sabertoothed, and a surprisingly productive Toad.
Professor X relies on his typical entourage: Cyclops, Rogue (Anna Paquin), Jean Grey, Storm (Hale Berry), and ideally cast newcomer Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) who begins the movie living on the outskirts of society making ends meat as an unbeatable cage fighter.
Hank McCoy (The Beast) is noticeably missing from the team, but is still mentioned within the human world, as he attempts to fight for mutant equality.
Overall, the movie delivers. Don't expect the special effects of 2012, but this movie was certainly ahead of its time. Solid plot. Good pace. Well cast. Excellent re-watch-ability factor for comic book fans. Don't expect the same climactic thunder packed into "Avengers" or the complexity of the more tightly written "X-Men: First Class"; X-Men is a good film, not a great one.
Primarily, I recommend this movie basically because of its groundbreaking affect in terms of beginning the dictation of the Marvel Universe on the silver screen.