X-Men

X-Men, based on the comic book of the same name, follows the exploits of a team of superhero mutants as they fight for right in a world that vilifies them. The themes are centred on tolerance and acceptance. The essence of the story though is, and has always been that we should learn to be comfortable with ourselves. This idea prevailed throughout the comic book series from it's inception propelling it to magnificent sales. The mainly teenage male comic book audience understands only too well feelings of not belonging, and no one understanding them. This message if you will, of fraternity and empathy has been translated to the silver screen with no small effort by its sponsors. This attention to detail, this very faithful adaptation, in spirit where not literal, could in fact only have come from a dedicated group of people with a real respect for the source material. With X-Men this is the greatest asset possible, and the care with which this film has been constructed shows throughout.

The story opens, with an introduction to the universe of the X-Men. This is a world very much like our own. Only, the evolutionary chain has been very active lately. It is in fact, making a giant leap forward, and Homo sapiens are slowly but surely evolving into Homo superior. Mutants. During this time of evolutionary flux, most non mutants behave exactly as you might expect them to, with fear and apprehension. A concentrated effort is being made in the political world to uncover this mutant phenomenon, and the mutants that do exist live for the most part in terror of a world that simply does not understand them. Some mutants have begun to grow restless, upset with the prospect of normal humans vilifying them. While there are other mutants who feel that man and mutant should be able to peacefully live side by side. Two active leaders preaching both camps of the mutant issue stand at the center of this film. They are both mutants themselves, Professor Charles Xavier, and Eric Magnus, also called Magneto. These men, once the best of friends, stand at the heart of the mutant issue. Magneto, believing a war between man and mutants is looming on the horizon is amassing an army willing to follow his cause; while Xavier runs a school for mutants, helping them learn to control their powers and encouraging them to do good. Xavier's doctrine goes so far as to encourage some of his best pupils to form a vigilante fighting unit. A group designed to protect the innocent from the likes of Magneto, or other even more unscrupulous villains. This group is of course, the X-Men.

Into this mix a rowdy, amnesiac mutant named Logan is thrown. Logan, or Wolverine as he is more often called has a shadowed past that become more complex as he tries to look after, to an extent at least, another young mutant named Rogue. Both mutants join forces with Xavier and the X-Men, to help thwart the dangerous Magneto and foil his nefarious schemes.

This story is a pretty complex one to tell. Not that the premise is actually all that substantial, but just staying true to a franchise that people feel strongly for, and initiating new viewers to this different world. The other big problem is that the cast is a large ensemble; and we need to make some fairly distinct decisions as to who will get developed most, while still not ignoring characters that may not be the main focus of this particular plotline. And for the most part I think the film succeeds. Certain individuals, like Storm, and Mystique get less screen time than they really should; but I understand that this must have been incredibly challenging as it was to accomplish. And I think we really learn what we need to know to understand everything clearly. Magneto's plan is suitably comic-bookish while maintaining a cool edge that works well for a film. And the backstory that was there was treated very well. There is a subtle care applied to the story that really pleased people like me who know the background, and people new to the franchise. Lets face it, this isn't Shakespeare though, it's a comic book. And X-Men lives up to its roots admirably.

X-Men looks pretty cool. Which is exactly the word you should be looking for when describing a comic book movie. Certain comic book elements that probably wouldn't have played cinematically were deftly removed. The X-Men themselves are all young and beautiful actors, some of the character's ages have been tinkered with slightly, but to no real ill effect. And of course the team uniforms have been updated and coolified if you will. Generally speaking the art direction is great. The characters look very much like we always wanted to see them. The special effects, and mutant powers are very faithfully captured too. I suppose it's a great help to have 40 years of source material to fall back on. Even the fight scenes were right out of a comic. Very cool. Some of the cinematography didn't exactly blow me away, but I think that can be forgiven. There are so many neat distractions scattered throughout that I wasn't overly concerned with the sometimes confused perspective or too dark backgrounds. In the end the look is very faithful to what it should be, but still manages to keep a modern action film excitement. This balance was exactly what they were striving to achieve, and they succeeded nicely.

The film stars a very impressive array of talent. Patrick Stewart plays the good Professor X, the always enjoyable Sir Ian McKellen plays the villain Magneto. A truly inspired choice if you ask me. And a slew of young, pretty, but very talented people play the rest of the ensemble. Hugh Jackman, who plays Wolverine, should definitely be given some real credit here too. For an actor to go from relative obscurity to accurately portraying a larger than life hero that everyone has high expectations for is a large challenge that he met with ferocity. I also really liked Anna Paquin's Rogue. Great job, really for everyone. And a very good job of casting here.

The director Bryan Singer who has been responsible for such cool modern blockbusters as The Usual Suspects, and the smaller but very interesting Apt Pupil, really delivers the good here. He cares about the characters, he treats the source material as well as the fans, who are the real reason a film like this can get made, with a good deal of respect. I appriciate how he worked to keep the spirit of the story, even where he could actually follow the comic book religiously. He really has created a very well structured popcorn action film. His actors gave fine performances, some of the camera work was very interesting, and he managed to engage the audience, while never neglecting the themes. For a while watching this film you can just let yourself get lost in the fun, the action, and the coolness of X-Men.

A decent popcorn action film. The mood is fun and the kiddies will adore the characters. Definitely check this out, it's just plain good.