Erases the nightmare of Batman and Robin

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2000)

Comic book movies in Hollywood generally mean: nice guys with superpowers versus evil guys with superpowers, lots of special effects and overdone settings and some very one-dimensional characters. Well, X-Men changes all that. At last Hollywood has dared to deliver a comic book film with depth and some real issues to discuss. And we actually have a villain with layers and complexity, who could be any one of us who has been persecuted and decided to strike back.
The story tells of children born with genetic mutations and how they learn to cope with their abilities once they grow up and society turns against them. Some decide to use their powers for beneficial means, others decide to live alone, eking out an existence and raising a finger to those who scorn them, and some decide to hit back against prejudice and persecution. The conflict is between the mutants themselves  in particular Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart), a telepath who has established a school for mutant children  he calls them gifted', and Magneto (Ian McKellen), a Nazi victim who wages war against anti-mutant sentiment. Both are fighting for the same cause  acceptance of mutations  but both take different paths and end up on opposite sides.
Into this conflict is drawn Logan (Hugh Jackman) an angry savage loner with some interesting physical mutations and a past he can only remember in nightmares. He joins up with Rogue (Anna Paquin) a teenage runaway who finds her touch drains the life from her boyfriends. They become crucial pawns in the chess battle between Xavier's and Magneto's opposing teams of mutants.
What I like about the film is that it has faith in its universe and stands up for the premise and the characters it portrays. There are no gimmicky features to distract you from the story. Colours are muted and realistic  no garish costumes or noirish black shadows and Gothic settings. The film focuses on its characters and lets them stand on their own. No hokey villains. Magneto is just a man with a different agenda, and his solution to anti-mutant sentiment actually makes you think a bit. Remember the Romans and the Christians?
Overall this is a really good film that can match it with the best of 2000 releases. As a comic book film it's different and Bryan Singer (director) has created something new which raises the bar for others to follow. The casting is excellent as are the performances, the standouts being McKellen and Jackman, whose Logan/Wolverine is complex and brilliantly portrayed.
The script is very good and the dialogue is superb. There are some very funny lines. The characters get laughs from the lines, not from their costumes or their over-the-top mannerisms. The effects are excellent but the film does not rely on them, just uses them when the story demands it. The mutants' powers really blow you away though.
It's well paced although a little short, but a good introduction to the X-Universe for those who don't know it. If you've never heard of X-Men you will still enjoy and follow the film's storyline. If you're a long X-fan or comic fan, well this is the movie you've been waiting for. Hats off to everybody involved.
The only disappointment is the score. It's pretty average.
Overall 8 out of 10.