Good writing and smart characterisation, but the action lacks magic

Rating: Null/10 (11 June 2010)

X-Men (Bryan Singer, 2000) is a superior comic book yarn, thanks to intelligent writing and deft characterisation, alongside the whizz-bang thrills. Anna Paquin is Rogue, a teenage girl who goes for her first kiss and leaves the recipient in a coma. She's one of a breed of mutants left with powers they can't control after a leap forward in evolution. Allying herself with a fellow mutant, cage fighter Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Rogue is taken under the wing of Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who wants to forge a peaceful future for mutants and humans alike. Unfortunately his old ally Magneto (Ian McKellen) thinks a war is brewing and is keen to get in some pre-emptive strikes, ideally using the super-powers of Xavier's students. The film has its shortcomings, relying too heavily on CGI effects – which date very quickly and don't really have the requisite movie magic – and failing to flesh out several minor characters. But it's a very well-scripted, engaging film: sometimes funny, frequently touching and with impressive star turns from Paquin and Jackman.