Dumb but fun

Rating: 9/10 (12 July 2000)

Well, XMen has finally hit Australian shores, and in front of a packed cinema last night we finally got to see what all the hype is about, after the trailers, the web sites and the numerous bits of gossip that have leaked out about this highly anticipated entry into the superhero franchise.
It does not disappoint. Its got something for everyone. It has lots of backstory setting up the whole thing for three of our main characters (Rogue, Wolverine and Magneto), its got a fantastic english actor playing Magneto (McKellen), and it has plenty of action to keep the adrenaline junkies happy.
As I said it does go into the backstory quite extensively for three of the leads, though it does add a richness to the whole thing that you would otherwise not think. Instead of being bored with the backstory it instead intrigues you. They have certainly left plenty there for a sequel. In fact, X-Men is probably the most open ended movie I have seen for quite a while.
With such a relatively large cast, some characters are left underdeveloped or underused. Cyclops, Jean Grey and Storm are the notable candidates. But in a story that focusses its energies elsewhere it is understandable that this had to happen. I am sure they will get more to do in the next film.
It does have plenty of good one liners to keep it bobbing along (my personal favourite, and one to look out for is the "you're a dick" line).
Its also over very quickly. I am sure it went for no more than 90 minutes. Once the climactic battle on top of the Statue of Liberty is finished you realise just how quickly the time has gone.
On the negative side, the score is absolutely woeful. Michael Kamen does just not deliver the goods in this case. This movie called for a big majestic score to go with the impressive visuals. What we get is some tink tink in the background with the TV Series X-Men theme thrown in once or twice for good measure.
The effects are quite good (but not as good as their boast "best special effects since The Matrix). But they should slow down the graphical representations they use when planning their battles, they often flowed by and you couldn't make out what the hell they were looking at.
X-Men promises and delivers. It is big, dumb fun that will please the entire audience. I am certainly looking forward to more entries in this particular franchise.

9 out of 10.