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X-Men 1.5

X-Men 1.5

List Price: $19.98
Your Price: $15.98
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Have to agree with the other reviews -- be wary
Review: In short, i just want to caution anyone who thinks that they are getting anything other than just a special edition of x-men. The deleted scenes are more like just rough edits of scenes which eventually changed for the final release. There is not really a lot of new footage, just lots of different dialogue and different ideas being tried out. It is fairly cool to see the actors in their own trailers meeting each other and trying on their tight leather costumes, but not worth buying another copy of x-men just for that. I wish more directors would learn from new line cinema and peter jackson's Lord of the Rings, and release 2 versions of the film. Theatrical and extended version. Peter jackson filmed and finished many so-so scenes then decided later whether to keep them or cut them. In the extended version dvd the scenes are reinserted into the movie making it 30 minutes longer than the theatrical version. This makes it so much more exciting to watch and really worth the extra money. WHY Couldn't they do this with x-men. It isn't like the money hasn't been out for a few years already. It seems to me like just another way to make money, and not really give the fans anything. Lastly, the widescreen is a +, but why buy another copy of the movie for it. buyer beware.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Xtreme Xtasy!
Review: This is my all-time favorite DVD!Actually there are 2 DVDs.I love it because it has the movie with all-new scenes!The commentary by director Brian Singer is really interesting.Disc 2 is PACKED with extras-go behind the scenes,preview X2,and much,much more!It beats the theater version by a mile.If you like the movie or X men in general the movie plus 5 hours of extras equals Xcitement,

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Review 2.0 for 1.5
Review: I just felt the need to answer, or at least address some of the biggest criticisms leveled at X-Men. Quite frankly, a fair amount of the problems brought up are actually strengths. First, The Movie is different than the comics. Yes, it is. However, that is only to be expected. If you are working under the assumption or the reality that a movie is to be or has been made, you are accepting several pretty much undisputable facts. A movie cannot emulate the comics completely, in order to do so you would have to make a TV series to come any where remotely close to covering everything. There was a cartoon, and that was great. If you wanted to cover absolutely everything in a comic series you'd have to make a movie of almost every single issue. In this senario, what is the point of the comic? So, movies by their very nature are going to differ from the comics they are based on. Fact of reality. In addition, the changes were not done by someone who had no idea what they were doing. The changes were made so that a story could best be told. You can argue that the very notion of making the movie was done out of Greed. On some level, that has to be true. But movies are also made to entertain us, whether or not Greed was the prime m.o. for making the movie. Second, this complaint that the movie is all story and no action. Thats called good storytelling and it makes a movie stand on its own, and not be a special effects extravaganza that only fans of the comic can understand. Many of the people I know who have seen this movie were not familiar with the comics, had never picked up an issue in their lives, and completely understood the movie. Comic book movies that do not take the time to develop a story or forget that its important, end up making hollow movies. The amount of story in X-Men is one of its greatest strengths. So, in short, you cannot expect a movie to emulate a comic completely, and you cannot expect it to be intelligeble to only the core fans. This movie does what a lot of comic movies fail to do, it presents itself in an independent manner that makes it appealing not only to long time fans with open minds to the reality of film-making, but also people who have never read a single X-Men comic. Pleasing fans and making new ones, I can't think of a better measure of success than that.

5 stars

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: X-Men I.5 is a waste of time and money.
Review: Ok, I absolutely love this movie alot and thought that it was a great adaptation of the comic book franchise. On the other hand, several script holes kind of bogged down the movie and the movie suffers from lack of personality in some of the characters.

The main problem though isn't the flaws in the movie. it's about the reissued edition of this movie.

This reissue of the X-Men DVD called "1.5" is nothing but a waste of time and money. All that it is is just extra deleted scenes that aren't even incorporated into the movie and I'm not really into seeing deleted scenes...it didn't necessarily detract from the movie itself, I had to say this about the 1.5 edition "This is just a HUGE waste of time and money! Why should I buy the same movie over again? This is pointless!". Now don't get me wrong, this is an awesome and essential movie and the newer edition to be very good but I find it to be deeply disturbing and even dangerous, seeing the marketing executives trying to rake up more money by duping the buying public into buying the older edition and then buying the same product over and over again with the reissuing of movies and CDs shortly following the older releases on DVD or CD...Had this been a movie that had been in existence for many, many years, then I wouldn't have a big problem with re-issuing it with new scenes and extra footage but X-Men only came out just three years ago! Sheesh!

A great movie that unfortunately was badly mishandled in it's re-issue and done so too soon, "X-Men" is nonetheless a great and marvelous movie and one to own. For those who don't yet have the "X-Men" movie on DVD, the 1.5 edition is worth getting, however, if you already have the older version that was released in 2000, don't waste your time and/or money. There isn't enough 'new' material on the 1.5 edition that warrants spending extra money on it and getting rid of the older edition. Sorry! I refuse to be fooled into buying the same product again just for some extra deleted scenes! I am not a fan of watching deleted scenes after the movie is done. A total waste of time and money and a thumbs down to the entertainment industry where re-releasing the same product with new additions and different packaging so soon after the original seems to have become a routine pattern...

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Not Enough, Just Not Enough.
Review: The focus on the not so surreal characteristics here are so much better than the far fetched comic book interpritations of them. And nobody could have better suited Wolverine than Hugh Jackman. THe best choice a movie has made for casting in such a long time. Patrick Stewart as the intellectually skilled Dr Xavier was also a wise choice. After watching the gripping start of Magneto's cause of anger (his brush with horrors of Nazi torture camps), the movie does give us a neat set of beginnings. Some disapointments - the superpowerhouse Sabertooth, unfortunately is underused here. Just a throw and punch here, and a quick fight near the end doesn't justify the character you are ready for. Toad and Mystique, who are as neat, have too much fun instead.

Ian McKellan steals a few scenes as the self righteous yet genius Magneto, the leader of the bad guys.

Halle Berry is not bad as storm, or Famke Jannsen as the budding telekenetic Jean Grey. Nice to see a Mutant superhero have a twist: She is still learning to harness her abilities.

Very underused is Cyclops. A smooth performance by James Marsden, the young yet dilligent leader of Xaviers' squad.

THe effects and enviromnents are a smash. THe plot to change ordinary humans into mutatnts is neat, and no big deal. Just another mad chararters going to dominate the world thing. Still, it was fun. Oh, the mutants didnt have enough time to duke it out. Way too little time.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: 20th Century Fox can do better DVD production.
Review: X-MEN 1.5 is still a DVD set that looks like it was put together very quickly. They have way too many behind the scenes features about how the movie was made. One is the actual interviews with the cast and crew on their feelings when doing the movie, another film covers the production design/viusal effects/and make-up designs for the movie. And yet another film covers the day by day actions on the various sets and what each actor was going through when their scenes were done. It's put together in a bit of an unorganized way. And then you have the trailers for X-Men 2 and Daredevil which take up too much space.
It would have been nice if HBO had done one of their behind the scenes specials on this, then they could just use that for the DVD and not put so many other features in that make it look bad.
Maybe 20th Century Fox will do it right, by the time X-Men 3 gets made....

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great movie, DVD overrated
Review: When i was a kid, I always the cartoon saturday mornings. However, this movie is just as good, maybe better, if you haven't. Every character is introduced in its own unique way, which makes it exciting from the start. The movie is a step-up from Saturday morning cartoons in that the mutants are much more realistic and the mood is darker, so it's easier to take seriously. The story itself is brilliant. The special features leave much to be desired. There's nothing but a few clips of behind the scenes footage and so-called deleted scenes that are just longer versions of existing ones. It gets really annoying to play them as the movie goes along, because you see several parts twice in a row. Normally, i'm not as picky about features, but there was an endless row of commercials saying how great the DVD was. If I had to guess, I'd say that there's nothing here you can't get in the original.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Movie. Excellent DVD. Only One Very Small Problem
Review: First, I will address the movie and then I will address the DVD features.
I have to say that most of all, I really enjoy the message underlying X-Men. I used to read the comics when I was younger and loved them, but I didn't pick up on that theme. Perhaps, it was stronger in the very beginnings of the comics or I was just to young to pick up on it. Either way, it has been presented brilliantly here. Second, I enjoy how the story is built on the characters themselves and not just flashy special effects. I think that there is a very strong "human" element to the movie. An excellent example of this is the decision not to mask Wolverine. While Wolverine is a compelling character in the comics, in this medium he is noticably more engaging and real. Hugh Jackman is a National treasure (yes I know he's not American, but whatever!).
Now, the features. I only have one problem with this set. The enhanced viewing mode. I don't like how you can play a deleted scene and then the version of that scene that made it into the movie plays as soon as you return to the movie. Other than that, I absolutely love the extras. Disc two is packed with documentary footage of the making of every detail of the movie. Of particular note is Hugh's first reading with Bryan Singer. Definitely interesting to watch for the large amount of dialogue cut out of the Wolverine's scene with Rogue on the train. Don't miss it. Also watch for a couple of clips of Sabretooth wearing sunglasses. Surreal and Hilarious.
So in short, funny, interesting, fascinating, and moving. Worth picking up even if you already have the regular version.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: X-MEN
Review: Bryan Singer certainly did not fail when he made X-Men. He kept true to the characters and their stories and even added his own spin on everything. The special effects were great, and the acting was acceptionally well. You can only imagine how hard it would be to take a legendary comic-book and t.v. show story and turn it into a live action film. Well Bryan Singer did it with very little flaws.

X-Men is about certain people who have evolved over a period of time into people with strange and unusual powers. They are described as Mutants. They are hated by humans and especially the government.

Professer X, a mutant with the power of controlling people's thoughts, is trying to bring peace between the mutant and human community. He established a mutant academy for kids with mutant powers who have run away from home out of fear. He is helped by fellow mutants Cyclops--shoots a powerful lazer when he opens his eyes, Jean Grey--has the ability to control things with her mind, and Storm--who has the power to control the weather. They are encountered by Rogue who has run away from home becuase whoever she touches, she takes their strength and powers and could possibly kill someone. And Wolverine--who has the power to heal himself and is looking for answers on why he has metal running through his entire body and has retractable claws.

Another group of mutants, Mistyque--can transform into anyone, Toad--can climb walls, spit venom, and has a long sticky tongue, and Sabertooth--has superhuman strength. Thney are lead by Magneto--has magnetic powers, who believes that humans and mutants will never be at peace and is planning a complete war on the human world.

The special effects are amazing and the script is very well put together. The story stays true to the X-Men story and is very enjoyable to watch in live-action. Definatly a great movie for any X-Men fan.

"X-Men" runs for about 1 hour and 40 minutes. It is rated PG-13 for violence and some language.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Cant rate this one high
Review: I was a big X-men fan as a kid. I was a marverl-head. I was completely obsessed with the X-men cartoon series on Fox in the 90's, which was GREAT. I was sort of intrigued when I heard about this movie coming out, but then I was also a bit aprehensive of the "curse of the superhero movies". Let's face it, movies and comics don't aways transition well, and the legacy of comic titles migrating to live action films is a poor one. With the exception of "The Punisher" which came out in the 80's most other cmoic book movies were awful. "The Fantastic Four" is just one example of just HOW bad it can get. Of course, they didnt have the special effects to realistically portray many superheroes back in the day, but the movies were horrible in terms of dialogue, directing, acting and many other aspects as well. So you can see why I was hesitent to get myself excited when one of my favorite comic titles was being turned into a movie.

Just like with superhero video games, the legacy of ... superhero movies continues with "X-men". I must say it's gotten a little better now that they have the special effects to accuractley depict cyclops' eye blast, Mystique's shape-shifting or magneto's control of magnetism. And that's really the only good point of the movie, the special effects are good, and it might make for a fun rental or a good party flick. Other than that... this movie just can't get my props... sorry guys.

First they changed too much. Rogue isn't supposed to be a young girl, in the comics and the cartoon she is a HOT, fully-grown woman full of southern charm. They also tweaked the character of magneto to be merely a slight similarity to what he really is in the actual series. And what can I say, the list goes on and on.

My major complain is the commercialization of the movie and all the hype. The CORNY lines... I mean Storm's line to toad at the end was stupid with a captial S. And why toad??? Who the heck likes toad?? Why not put some cooler bad guys in there. Anyhow, the movie was just all fluff. I mean they dont put any real drama in or any attention to the issues that X-men as a comic and cartoon tried to deal with. Also, Halle Berry might be hot, but she made a really poor performance as storm, and though the acting wasnt that BAD, it wasn't exactly award winning either.

Finally, I think we must ask ourselves if we really WANT our comic memories brought into live action... I mean having a bunch of wierdo looking guys in tights, odd costumes and what not running around with horrible lines makes the movie just plain corny and silly. What is up with Cyclops's visor? Im sorry... I just couldnt get with it on this one. over-hyped, and a lac of true quality. Id rather watch the original cartoon. That said it's not a totally horrible movie, it is satisfying to some extent to see the characters and themes we greww to love being brought to us in a new form, but that joy is tempered by the many negative points and the butchery of the real story of X-men.

Bottom line: possibly a decent rental, or party movie but not much more. Not something I would run out and buy or be in a rush to see.


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