Adequate, if uninspired, entertainment.

Rating: 5/10 (21 July 2000)

Perhaps one need have at least a casual familiarity with the comic book to enjoy this movie as much as the vast majority of the posted reviewers. The movie was mildly interesting, if only in anticipation of which novel mutation would be next tossed our way. On that note, I must say I was left teased and unfulfilled. I didn't think the mutations rose even to the level of interesting. And maybe I am myopic to the subtle nuances of her predicament, but Anna Paquin's rather one-dimensional performance as Rogue left me with not much more than a lingering feeling of pity that she got gipped in the mutation lottery.
Special mention must go to Hugh Jackman who is poised to be the Greg Evigan of his generation. There was also a moment at the beginning when I wondered how David Cassidy got onto this picture. To give Jackman his due, he has at least the charisma of the two combined. He even gets to deliver the film's funniest line when asked to prove that he is, in fact, himself and not some pale (blue) imitation. And I'm sure I'll tune in to discover which malevolent would-be emperor of the mutant underworld is responsible for Wolverine's radical prosthetic implantation, although I must say I feel a bit manipulated into waiting for a sequel. I would have been much happier if they added another forty-five minutes to the flick and put that baby to bed.
Of course it has been mentioned that Halle Barry's (talents?) were totally wasted. She emoted like one under the influence of prescription analgesics. Claudia Schiffer artfully embodied the rage that could only come from the merciless schoolyard taunting that certainly accompanied her cyanotic complexion and garish engraving work. [Imagine the agonizing choice of being yourself, a blue freak, or looking exactly like one of the other kids you're playing with. Sad. I felt her pain.] Famke Janssen was beautiful as ever. And that Cyclops dude was not nearly as annoying as he could have been. Sir Ian and Mr. Stewart were adequate to the task they were asked to perform. I don't forsee any academy award nods in their immediate future unless they have some stellar projects in the works.
All in all, it was a mildly enjoyable, if uninspired ride. Almost hard to believe it was helmed by Bryan Singer who was responsible for perhaps the best film of the last decade.