Review: X-Men (2000)

This is a Resurfaced review written in 2002 or earlier. For more information, please visit this link: Resurfaced Reviews.

X-Men

Rating

Director

Bryan Singer

Screenplay

Tom DeSanto, Bryan Singer, David Hayter

Length

1h 44m

Starring

Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane, Ray Park, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davison, Matthew Sharp

MPAA Rating

PG-13

Review

Comic books have been a staple of American culture for decades providing hours of fun for children of all ages. Many of these books have been made into motion pictures, both successful and not. “X-Men” is the latest of these comics to hit the screen.

The X-Men are a group of super-powered humans who have banded together because mutant abilities bring ridicule and suspicion. Parallels to the Holocaust are as evident as the idea that this is an action film. In fact, from the very opening sequence, the mood is set effectively. Young Erik Lehnsherr, a Polish Jew during the time of Hitler’s reign is separated from his family and displays his first mutant ability by bending one of the internment camp gates.

The story further revolves around the lack of trust put into mutants when Senator Robert Kelly (Oscar nominee Bruce Davison) makes an impassioned speech about the dangers of allowing mutants to run free. There are two groups that have immense feelings about this. One is led by Erik, now known as Magneto, who want to show the world that they aren’t really a danger, but through dangerous means. While the other group, led by Professor Charles Xavier (Star Trek’s Patrick Stewart) who want to allay their fears through peaceful means.

Xavier runs a school for gifted youngsters, a place where young mutants can be trained to control their abilities and kept safe from the ridicule of others. The story further hinges around Logan (Hugh Jackman) whose mutant abilities are just becoming apparent. The other is a run away who left her boyfriend breathless with her unknown mutant power. Marie (Anne Paquin) finds her way to a roadside arena where she attempts to befriend Logan.

While Logan and Marie get acquainted with their abilities, we meet other X-Men who are perfectly comfortable with their talents and can readily assist the others in defeating the evil mutants led by Magneto. On the good side, we have Dr. Jean Grey (GoldenEye’s Famke Janssen) is a telepath, like Professor X, who can move things through telekinesis; Cyclops (James Marsden) has the ability to emit a beam of pure light from his eyes; and Storm (Halle Berry) controls the lightning and wind aspects of weather.

On the evil side there’s Sabretooth (Tyler Mane) whose abilities stem from super-human strength; Toad (“Phantom Menace’s” Ray Park) who is just like his amphibian namesake; and Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) who has a chameleon-like ability.

The battle for good over evil is as antiquated as the hills, and “X-Men” is no exception. Comic books have always dealt heavily with this battle and like “Superman,” “Wonder Woman” and “Batman,” but “X-Men” takes things in a different direction. This time, the battle, while standard good over evil among the mutants, it’s also a battle between all mutants and the civilization that is slowly disenfranchising them. While the above mentioned superheroes are trusted by their governments and citizens, The X-Men and other mutants have no such comfort and because of this, they must slowly prove themselves as worthy of acceptance.

There are two distinct set of performances. There are the ones that are wonderful and purposeful and there are the ones that are one-dimensional and pointless. Stewart, Jackman, Janssen, Berry, McKellen and Romijn-Stamos are all capable actors and their characters are easily credible. Paquin, Marsden, Mane and Park not only have significantly pointless characters (Paquin’s being a plot-oriented exception), but also have problems carrying their characters onto the screen with any significant, non-story necessity.

Jackman proves to be the biggest success of the group, mixing his rugged sexuality with his anti-hero characteristics into a believable and interesting character. Stewart has a similar ability, but mainly because of his acting talent, not because of any plot-driven character elements. Magneto, likewise, survives solely on his acting talent while Janssen, Berry and Romijn-Stamos take potentially useless characters and transform them into sexy, intriguing heroines and villains.

Paquin’s character is so integral the plot that her success as a character is guaranteed, but ever since her Oscar-winning performance in “The Piano,” she has yet to prove that she has more than a girlish attractiveness that transfers poorly into talent. Marsden’s character, even by plotline standards is thoroughly useless. Other than providing for some great visual effects, Cyclops is as worthless as Sabretooth and Toad. Mane is a newcomer while Park, a sophomore, was last seen as Darth Maul in “Star Wars: Episode I” where the only talent he displayed was his ability to duel with a dual-bladed lightsaber.

Stylistically, “X-Men” beats numerous other summer films in its ability to bridge story with beautiful settings and stunning visual effects. Bryan Singer has done an excellent job bring the style to the story while allowing his actors to roam a little too freely.

Overall, “X-Men” has a great deal of potential that is both recognized and shielded. As action films go, this is a significant achievement. As a dramatic story, there are tepid moments, but overall still packs a meaningful wallop. There’s always a statement to be made and at least “X-Men” goes for the gold to make it, unlike other action films of recent years. There’s a need for substance to accompany style of this magnitude and for once we get everything we want.

Awards Prospects

If this film isn’t nominated for Sound Effects and Visual Effects, it will be a crime. On top of that, the sound, costume design and production design are all wonderful and a nomination for makeup could also be likely.