Predecessor to a whole generation of successful superhero movies

Rating: 9/10 (29 October 2005)

When you look at in, X-Men really was a risk when it was first released in 2000. Big budget superhero movies hadn't been successful in ages, the last attempt being the abominable flop 'Batman and Robin'. As well, X-Men incorporated a huge cast, most of which were big name actors, almost all of whom needed roughly equal screen time to make the story work. All in all, it seemed a lot to juggle to make work.
Lucky it seems then that a director was attached to the project who actually knew what he was doing. Brian Singer, whose credentials included 'The Usual Suspects', a heist thriller known as one of the most brilliantly executed of all time and 'Apt Pupil', detailing the life of an ex-Nazi trying to incorporate himself into an ordinary lifestyle; seemed like the kind of director who would pass off a comic book film as "too lowbrow". But Singer instead embraced the deeper themes of the story, such as societal prejudice and exclusion, and played them for maximum effect. And it worked; X-Men seems surprisingly grounded in reality considering it features characters able to blast laser beams from their eyes and control the weather. The viewer can almost picture themselves inhabiting a world where parents are afraid of their children going to school with the mutant kids.
Singer also comprehensively explores the comic backstory of the characters, and brings this into effect. And yet, for all the comic book trivia incorporated into the movie, the plot never sags, or seems overcrowded. Such traits as Professor Xavier(Patrick Stewart)'s paternal instinct towards Cyclops (James Marsden), his first student are expressed in only a couple of lines, and yet become definitive and clear to the audience. We also see such characters as Pyro, Shadowcat and Colossus (who made larger appearances in the second movie) take cameos, as if to see which comic fans are paying attention. Truly a classy directorial move. There's also several knowing winks to the characters backstories (the "what would you prefer - yellow spandex?" line being the most obvious) as well as several cheeky and intelligent touches, such as Wolverine's middle claw, and "keep your eye open" comment to Cyclops.
It also helps that Singer has managed to assemble a stellar cast to bring the much loved characters to life. The movie built solid careers for relative newcomers Hugh Jackman and Rebecca Romijn, and certainly brought Halle Berry more into the commercial spotlight. But the movie not only features many well known actors, but also manages to perfectly capture the essence of the age old characters. Hugh Jackman seems born to play Wolverine; every gesture, every move he makes is purely in character. This also seems to be the case for Patrick Stewart, who makes a pitch perfect Professor Xavier, trainer and mentor to the X-Men. Famke Janssen is a superb Jean Grey giving more depth to what could have been a character written with very little to do. James Marsden also brings the overly strict Cyclops truly to life; his back and forth exchanges with the defiant Wolverine are comic genius, and straight out of the comics. Halle Berry may not have been the most economic choice for Storm (as her behaviour regarding the 2 sequels proves) but she does bring a certain credibility and truth to her character. Ray Park also proves that despite being constantly cast for his stunt skills, he most certainly act, playing a truly edgy and gross Toad, who in the comics was a simpering moron. Rebecca Romijn gives a dangerous edge to the shape shifting Mystique, despite almost certainly being cast for her stunning looks, displayed in full glory, as she is never clothed, with only a few tastefully placed scales, leaving tantalisingly little to the imagination. Wrestler Tyler Mane also makes a menacing and genuinely frightening Sabertooth.
But in this cast full of standouts, if one had to pick the single most affecting performance, the only contender is Sir Ian McKellan as the "humanitarian" villain Magneto. Again, it only goes to show that good casting counts for so very much: what could have been reduced to a campy, ranting performance by another actor is instead morphed into a dignified, cultured and genuinely angry villain. McKellan seems to build layers of repression and injustice into his very soul, with the truthfulness he projects his hatred for humankind, and their intolerance for anything different from themselves. In fact, if it wasn't for Hugh Jackman's brilliant performance, McKellan would easily walk away with the film unchallenged. As is, the picture still belongs to him, but it's an extremely close thing. The exchanges between Magneto and Wolverine are dynamic; you could swear you feel the very air crackling with intensity.
So in the end, there's really nothing not to love about X-Men - an incredibly truthful, intelligent and relevant script is brought to life in a remarkably tasteful and affecting manner by a truly skilled director. The tremendously capable cast bring their characters to life in a truly satisfying way, and it's all tied together by a truly enjoyable and powerful score by the late Michael Kamen. All in all, the tremendous success of X-Men served to birth other successful superhero films, such as the Spider-Man series and the recent Batman Begins. But even if viewed as a stand alone, X-Men proves a superbly enjoyable and very solidly made film.
-9/10