Extremely entertaining

Rating: 8/10 (8 January 2014)

In a world where both mutants and humans fear each other, a woman named Marie, better known as Rogue, runs away from home when she renders a young man into a comatose state with her unique skill set. She goes to Alberta to hitch a ride with a man known as Logan, aka Wolverine. After initially vetoing her request to hitch with him, Logan gives in. They are almost killed when Sabretooth makes an unexpected attack on Logan & Rogue. Storm & Cyclops save their lives, and take them to a mutant school, run by professor, Charles Xavier. His old friend Magneto believes a war is brewing, has an evil plan in mind, and kidnaps Rogue.
Now, this is how you start off a franchise! There isn't anything fancy about this one, but it's incredibly effective, and enormously entertaining. Everything clicks in this one. Unlike, the overblown X-Men III: The Last Stand, this one is able to combine action with terrific storytelling. I also liked how it delivered a message, about how everyone should be viewed as equals, no matter what your condition is. There are a few things that would set the tone for future installments. Wolverine's flashbacks would be told in lengthy detail, with the movie Wolverine. It also has a great love triangle with Wolverine, Cyclops, and Dr. Jean Grey, but Wolverine & Jean's attraction towards each other is subtly hinted at, but that would change. I always thought Anna Paquin was terrific as Rogue. It is kind of a shame that her screen time would decrease with each installment. Hugh Jackman is fantastic as Wolverine. He plays the perfect anti-hero, and is the coolest character as far as i'm concerned. Patrick Stewart oozes class as Prof. Xavier. He was a joy to watch, and his scenes with Ian McKellen were awesome. Ian McKellen is awesome as Magneto. Famke Janssen isn't unstable in this one. She is rather tame, compared to how she would become as Phoenix. I thought she was excellent, though, and drop dead gorgeous. James Marsden fits the arrogant Cyclops to a T. Halle Berry is absolutely beautiful, but she felt a little off at times, as Storm. Tyler Mane does fine as Sabretooth, but I find sabretooth to be insignificant and rather useless. Rebecca Romijn is awesome as the devious Mystique. Wait until you see Wolverine battle himself, when she turns into Wolverine. Bruce Davison is good as Senator Kelly. The finale is filled with amazing action scenes, and leaves you wanting more with the short running time.
Final Thoughts: This isn't the best in the original trilogy. I'd have to give that honor to X-Men II, but it's a damn good way to kick things off. It is exciting, well written, and a lot of fun to watch. You have no excuse not to see this if you're an X-Men fan
8.6/10