In 4 words: Waiting for the sequel!!!

Rating: 10/10 (13 October 2000)

What a great movie! We've got everything here: Action, comedy, plot, insider's jokes, great acting, great directing and amazing visual effects.
A few years back, "X-men", the 1992 animated series started broadcasting on TV in Israel, and I was hooked since episode one. That's where I know X-men from, I never read the comics. You could imagine my surprise and excitement when I heard they were making a movie! I've waited a long time, and finally, yesterday was the premiere of the movie in Israel. Of course, I went to the premiere. You think I'll wait to see this movie, even one more day, if I don't have to? Waiting for the commercials to finish 10 minutes after the designated starting time, I was full of expectations for the movie of the year, and might I say  it fulfilled all of my expectations.
The movie started with the most beautiful computer graphics I have ever seen in my life. 5 seconds into this, and I'm thinking: "They should make a screen-saver out of this!!!".
Not much of the action-part in the beginning of the movie, it's more of the introduction of the characters Magneto, Rogue and Wolverine. There is the introduction of the plot as well, and I'm happy to say this is not one of those plot-less action movies, in style of "bang, boom, credits role".

Not to worry, though, the action will come. The fight scenes in this film are so great because of two reasons. One, the SCI-FI reality of X-men allows the director to go all out when it comes to what the characters can do. What makes the fights so awesome is the originality of the moves. Sure, you could have a great scene with Sylvester Stallone punching/kicking a guy. But isn't it way cooler when you see Storm strike her opponent with lightning, or watch Cyclops fry a villain with a laser beam shooting out of his eyes? The second thing that makes the fight scenes breath-taking is that the producers saved no expense with visual effects, without which all the mutant super-powers would not have made it through the screen.
Now, what I love most about a movie is it's ability to make me laugh, even while I'm in awe in the face of the effects. The script handled this beautifully, letting each and every one of the Wolverine-Cyclops exchanges be a hysterical comic relief. They talk, I laugh. They look at each other, I laugh. Humor, that's what I like in my men!
Which brings me to the actors. All the villains were hate-able, and all the heroes were loveable, but to one exception: Rogue. What can I say? I didn't like Rogue one bit. In the animated series Rogue was my favorite character, due to her much adored girl-power. Kick-ass chick with enough puns to go around, it's the Rogue I know and love. Where is she in this movie? She is obviously younger here than in the series, helpless and insecure. The way Anna Paquin acted her out, she reminded me more of Claire Danes than of Superwoman.
Have you noticed how James Marsden (Cyclops) had bristles on his cheeks to make him look older. I don't deny it, that babe does have a baby-face look, and it's what I love about him. Too bad he was hidden behind glasses throughout the movie, except for the occasional accident of dropping them and closing his eyes before he fries everything in front of him to the ground. Well, I guess that's just the price we have to pay to see this cutie as Cyclops.
Now I have nothing left to say except for my hopes for the sequel (may it come to us as soon as possible): 1. Rogue as an adult, played by someone else. 2. Gambit (my favorite male character) and his explosive cards. I also want him to take immediate interest in Rogue, because they were always my favorite couple. 3. More romance in the Cyclops-Jean Gray-Wolverine triangle. There is definitely much to be explored in that story. 4. Beast would be interesting to see in the movie, where was he in this one? 5. James Marsden, James Marsden, and more James Marsden. I just can't get enough of him! 6. More insider's jokes in the style of "What would you have prefered? Yellow spandex?". That line cracks me up every time I hear it!!! 7. More sequels!
Bottom line: Not just for X-men fans, but for anyone who likes action and science fiction.