X-MEN

2000

X-MEN is yet another adaptation of a popular comic book to the big screen. Set in the near future, genetically advanced humans are outcast from society and take sides, either against the "normal" world or working towards gaining understanding and acceptance from the "normal" world. The two sides battle and as you might expect, the good guys, the X-Men, win in the end. Although I'm not really a fan of the comic book, I thought the adaptation was done fairly well and even pokes some fun at itself. As with most comic books stories, there is very little grounds in reality and in this case there is little attempt made to make things more believable. Patrick Stuart and Ian McKellan did everything they could portraying the leaders of the two sides and there were acceptable performances all around from Halle Berry, Famke Janssen and a handful of new faces. If you're thinking about bringing children, the violence isn't too bad and there is a nice underlying theme of social acceptance. Otherwise, its a fun movie that you'll probably enjoy more if you rent it from Blockbuster.

3 Stars

CDF

I grew up reading the best of the comic books, although by the time that the X-Men comics had come out, I had stopped my comic-book reading and switched to novels. Therefore, not having seen the animated TV show either, I came to this movie cold, not knowing what to expect. I left it a big fan! Director Brian Singer has chosen the dark and serious approach (as in the first "Batman" and "Superman" films,) and this was a wise choice. Humor, tongue-in-cheek or otherwise, would not suit these social outcasts...the mutants led by Magneto, the bad guy (a subdued Ian McKellan,) and Dr. Charles Xavier, the good guy (Patrick Stewart in a wheel-chair.) What a joy it is just to hear these two stage actors casting their voices at each other; who needs superpowers? The mutants have names like Storm, Rogue, Cyclops, etc. making them sound like refugees from the WWF, and the actors are required to do very little other than stand in for their stunt-people and the computer graphics, both of which are excellent. The story line is the usual...good mutants try to keep bad mutants from destroying the leaders of the world who are gathered in New York City. Why don't they pick on a plumber's convention in Cincinnati for a change?

4 Stars

NJB