A terrific, genre-transcending film

Rating: 9/10 (1 April 2016)

1. This film is very topical today with the current debate of Muslims and terrorism. This film was written and made before 9/11, based on real life events such as the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement, but its themes are so universal that they still apply. Many innocent mutants/Muslims want only to live peacefully but are instead subject to fear, violence and hatred at being identified. Showing your powers is no different to wearing a turban or reading the Qoran or saying an Islamic prayer. Treating all mutants the same is likely to drive more mutants/Muslims into the arms of radicals like Magneto/ISIS, who argue that violence is the answer.
2. The film's sharp and perceptive dialogue does a lot to help it. Though uncredited, Christopher McQuarrie's fingerprints can be seen all over this. The debate between Senator Kelly and Jean Gray at the start of the film is intelligent but also sets the stage tremendously for the film we are about to watch. The final exchange between Charles and Erik paraphrases how a conversation between Malcolm X and Martin Luther King might have gone.
3. The film is nearly flawless in its editing. We jump from scene to scene, with each one serving its purpose and not staying overlong. We are able to establish Magneto, Rogue, Senator Kelly and Wolverine in quick succession, and despite the sometimes significant time gaps between those scenes the film never feels like its going too fast.
4. The casting of Ian McKellen is inspired. Not only can the great thespian get into Magneto's shoes as a marginalised homosexual himself, but he instantly elevates every single one of the screenplay's lines with his dramatic delivery. His little speech to Rogue about how America was meant to be a land of tolerance and peace stands out as a highlight. His humour and charisma make him not only believable, but plausible as a revolutionary leader.
5. Hugh Jackman suits the role of Wolverine perfectly. Whilst I believe there are other enormously talented casting choices in the film, it is Jackman's ability to easily establish the perfect chemistry with each that makes the film work. He and James Marsden instantly clash as rivals for Jean's affection, whilst he and Famke Jansen practically have sparks flying from their first interaction. His older brother relationship with Anna Paquin is the film's most important.
6. Singer's decision to make Rogue, then a relatively minor X-Men character, a focal point for the story was brilliant. Rogue, especially through Anna Paquin's powerful performance, represents everything about mutants that the film needed - fear of your own powers, fear of others' powers, and most importantly, a crushing feeling of isolation.
7. Singer does an amazing job at creating a high tension, high stakes movie within PG-13 limits. The scene where Magneto controls the guns is supremely tense without being dark, as is the powerful scene in which Wolverine accidentally lashes out at Rogue in his sleep. The Senator Kelly subplot is dramatic without being gory. There's no blood and therefore the scenes work in a PG-13 setting. Singer shows us that we can have superhero movies where the stakes are higher than "oh no, the cars are all being blown up".
8. The ability of Toad, Mystique and Sabertooth to physically deal with the X-Men in abundance creates some amazing fight scenes. Rebecca Romijn barely speaks for the entire movie, but says so much in her amazing body language and eyes. The sequence in which Mystique impersonates different members of the team is again something I attribute to Singer and McQuarrie. The fight scenes are tense because Toad is able to physically fend off all three of Storm, Jean and Cyclops with ease.
9. If I have one complaint its that too often the film comes off as cheesy. Ray Park and Tyler Mane are physically impressive, but neither has the acting ability necessary to compete with the rest of the cast. Halle Berry as Storm also makes it hard to get into the movie, due to her cheesy delivery. Some elements of Magneto's plan simply rely on our going "okay, sure that makes sense" because we don't have a whole lot of reality to base them on.
10. There are some top-notch visuals, especially with Mystique. I can't fathom just how much effort went into creating Mystique's makeup and prosthetics, or in doing that seamless midair transition from Hugh Jackman to Rebecca Romijn as she jump kicks him.
Bryan Singer should be recognised for re-launching the superhero movie. Were it not for the performances of Park, Mane and Berry, I'd say that this movie transcended its genre and became an important civil rights commentary. It comes pretty darn close as it does.