X-Men

In 2000 Fox Studios released this movie under the direction of Bryan Singer. For Fox it was a bit of a gamble, but it certainly paid off dividends.
Based on the Marvel Comics comic book, The Uncanny X-Men, this movie centres on Professor Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters. Or in lamens terms, mutants who protect humans from other mutants.
"Trust a few. Fear the rest" is the slogan, and it relates to Magneto and the Brotherhood Of Mutants...
Here's the trailer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpWhkZJlAxE&feature=related



Here's the movie poster.
I remember seeing this poster right before heading into an advance screening. I hadn't heard anything about the movie before seeing it on the big screen, although I was a big fan of the comics.
I remember thinking that it was a pretty snazzy movie poster.



Acting as a pathway character for audiences to step into the X-Men world is Logan (Hugh Jackman). Maybe this is what made him so popular as straight away he was the central character audiences bonded with in order to sit-through, and enjoy the movie.

Maybe it's just because Hugh Jackman beefed up for the role and the women went crazy.
And the teenage boys all thought Wolverine was cool.



He's first scene certainly is memorable.



Here we have Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart). Patrick Stewart was best known for Star Trek: The Next Generation, and now it's safe to say he's better known for the X-Men movies.



Portraying Xavier's nemesis and one-time friend Eric Lensherr is Sir Ian McKellen.
So far Bryan Singer has roped in some pretty talented actors for this long shot of a movie...



On to the Professor's X-Men we have Cyclops (James Marsden).
If you're a fan of Cyclops then relish each scene he's in. Subsequent X-Men movies show Cyclops doing less and less....



Yep, that's right James. After this film you can phone it in for the rest....



Playing the role of Cyclops' girlfriend, Dr Jean Grey is model/actress Famke Janssen.
I was never really a fan of Jean in the comics however Famke made her an interesting character.



Then there's Storm (Halle Berry).
Some fans and critics have been harsh of their run-down of Halle's performance in this movie. I can see why.
Still, she's enjoyable to see on the big screen.



Running alongside Logan/Wolverine as a central character the audiences can follow into the X-Men world is Rogue (Anna Paquin).
I didn't enjoy Anna's performances in the sequels however I have to say that in the original movie she was pretty good.
Sorry I couldn't find any images of her from the first X-Men movie.



Here we have Eric Lensherr leading the Brotherhood of Mutants as the master of magnetism, Magneto.
It might sound stupid but the script is (to this day) incredible, and Sir Ian McKellen has plenty to work with to make it realistic and enjoyable.



Now for a run-down of the Brotherhood of Mutants.
As the shape-changing Mystique we have Rebecca Romijn.


Here's Toad (Ray Park of the Star Wars movies).
I think that there's been no other mutant in the X-Men movies as disgusting as Toad. Certainly he looks grotesque.
He's also a very fun character.



Then we have Logan's long-time enemy Sabretooth (Tyler Mane).
Interestingly enough (for the fans) Wolverine doesn't recognise Sabretooth, despite the Wolverine spin-off movie showing they knew each other previously.



Tyler Mane didn't return as Sabretooth for the spin-off movie.
I wonder how he feels about that?



Bringing in the human/political element to the story is Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison).
Senator Kelly's involvement in the story makes for some interesting and debatable scenarios.



Here we have Professor X using the mutant-tracking device Cerebro.
Personally I think he's just using it to see what his X-Men look like out of their uniforms...



Mm-mmmm.



Yes, very sexy there Storm.



Actually, maybe not.



Here we go. Rogue before she got all trashy-looking in the sequels.



And lets not forgot Mystique.
All I'll say is, both John Stamos and Jerry O'Connell are lucky men indeed.



I'd like to point out that Hugh Jackman got the role days before shooting commenced.
The original actor for the role had to pull out due to his commitment to Mission: Impossible 2.



Yep, that's right. Dougray Scott was originally meant to play Wolverine.
I'd love to see some images or footage of Dougray in the Wolverine get-up. I wonder if it exists?

Anyway. Even with the movie being released in 2000 it still holds up against the test of time.
It's fun, it's enjoyable, and it's intelligent enough to not be a run-of-the-mill action film.

Some "fans" will tell you that Fox Studios has ruined the X-Men movies as they haven't stuck to the comic book history. There's some X-Men in here which shouldn't be in here. And there's some characters who's age isn't in line with that of the comic book.
To those people I say, get over it.
Fox Studios is a business. Like any other movie studio they're there to make money. So it's little wonder they opted for characters the movie-going audience most want to see.

If you don't like it go hide in your parents' basement.

I give the movie 7 out of 10. There's some special effects which you can point out as being done on computer, and some one-liners which are a little silly.
All up though it's an enjoyable movie.

Until next time!