X-Men

Rating:
Summary: It's fans deserved better
Review: The X men is a widely popular serial comic that has been around for years. This film brings the comic to life on the big screen with the story of how the four X men, mutants with special physical powers, are brought together to help mankind under the kindly guidance of Professor X. They do this against the backdrop of reactionary America, which does not understand their mutations and fears their powers. Faced off against the X men is the Brotherhood of Mutants, lead by Magneto who wants to make humans an extinct link in the evolutionary chain.

Although I am not a big comic series fan, I watched this film with a group of die hard X men fans. Each of them badly wanted this film to be fantastic and were a little disappointed. Although I'll bet they would have rated it higher than a two, it certainly wouldn't have been a five for any of them. If you are not a fan of the series, the X men movie has some interesting special effects and does not require knowledge of the comic books to understand the plot.

However, because the movie had to play to both fans and non fans, I believe some of the depth in the characters were lost. The shallow treatment of all the characters other than Wolverine, coupled with very weak performances from Halle Berry (Storm), served to blunt the intensity necessary for any action movie. Fortunately, the on screen chemistry between Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and Famke Janssen (Dr. Gray) helped interject some humor into the film and Jackman's performance through out the film is strong.

Out of all the villans that have graced the pages of the X men, I wish that they had chosen more interesting ones than Toad and Sabertooth. Sabertooth is just a WCW wrestling character without any particularly impressive powers and the Toad character was a tad silly. Mystique was the only truly interesting bad guy (bad person?) and has one of the best special effects scenes in the movie as she transforms in mid kick. Finally, Ian McKellan does a great job as an arch villain, so why dress him up in a silly looking cap?

There were some interesting special effects in this show but I think that bad directing also blunted some of their impact. The pace of the film is slightly off and never develops a really real adrenaline rush that it could have inspired. The fight scenes are particularly weak, I wish that they had spent more time teaching the actors how to fight and then found more exciting ways to show the fights - they should have been realistic (ala Matrix) versus the WWF wrestling (aka fake) style used in the film.

The DVD extras are terrible. Besides a few rather interesting easter eggs, the deleted scenes add nothing to the movie (unless you want to hear Halle Berry with the worst fake accent since Kevin Costner tried to be english in Robin Hood). The mutant watch special is just an extended commerical for a film you have already seen.

Finally, the DVD sound quality is ok but the picture quality is not great. In a couple of places, the DVD pauses longer than it should and in one or two places, there is visible image distortion that it not an intentional special effect.

Overall, this movie was ok but given the material it should have been fantastic.

Rating:
Summary: Best for fans of the comic book
Review: As adaptations of comic books go, this is about as good as it gets: the effects are terrific, the tone is humorous at times and deadly serious at others (yet never campy), the acting is mostly solid (at times spectacular, in the cases of jackman, Stewart and McKellan), and it plays mostly like an adaptation of a great X-Men comic book that never existed.

That being said, there is a certain silliness to it that non-comic book fans may have trouble getting past: Magneto's plan is needlessly complex, there are too many characters to keep track of, and Professor Xavier's Cerebro machine seems absurd. (Although the latter requires a mutant telepath to use it--with incredible danger involved--, in the film it tells you only the most obvious information imaginable: "She's trying to escape by going to the peculiarly large train station just miles from here even though we live in the middle of nowhere! We never would have figured that one out without Cerebro!") Nevertheless, it's hard to imagine a better Professor X, a better Wolverine, or a better film adaptation of the popular comic book.

Rating:
Summary: Flashy & Sleek
Review: X-Men fans: You can stop shaking in your capes--this is one comic-book adaptation that gets it right. Movie audiences meet the X-Men when Wolverine (Jackman) and Rogue (Paquin)--societal outcasts with mutant powers--fall into a group of peace-loving superhumans who are battling people's prejudice and are at odds with a band of sneaky, equally mutated evils.

But it's The Usual Suspects director Bryan Singer who's the real superhero here, introducing 10 different characters (most of which are interesting) and slyly maneuvering the saga's overwhelming amount of backstory without the movie becoming one massive comic-book lesson. Big blow-'em-up scenes are traded for story and character development--the reason fans have been drawn to the X-Men series for years--which opens up more possible sequels than Wolverine has lives. Let this X-cellent franchise begin...

Rating:
Summary: The 94-minute ride from stylish to cheesy.
Review: The film is not without it's merits. Hugh Jenkman is intense though I could not help thinking that Australia now has the new export - glowering actors with hair-framed faces, the wounded guys ready to burst out in rage. Doesn't he remind you of Russell Crowe's gladiator?

I was happy to see Ray Park's face for the first time - without Darth Maul's warpaint and The Horseman's headlessness. His Toad is a funny, quirky creature. Delicious Rebecca Romjin-Stamos having her revenge on the world for having to wear that weird makeup.

The scene when the guns hang in the air aiming at their masters' foreheads is also very impressive and looks fresh.

BUT!

A few things just do not make sense. Wolverine catches up with the Rogue (who, by the way, does not look or act like rogue) in the train, they decide to give it another try and go back to the school - then the wheels turn and they just sit, letting the train take them where the girl planned to go, as far from the mutant academy as possible.

And that's not the only lapse of reason in the movie.

What's more important is the production design. It seems that Bryan Singer could not decide what kind of comics-based movie he intends to make. The opening Holocaust scene made me feel I am watching the modern fairy tale of the new kind, something serious, and the cartoon evil echoes the terror of the human history.

But nearly an hour passes and I see that tragic and bitter survivor dressed like a county fair magician. All the laughable clichés in superhero's attire resurface. His "mind-impulse-proof" headgear looks exactly like a boxer's helmet, hastily acquired in the nearest sports equipment shop. And if that thing can block the rival's impulses how come Magneto's brainwaves stream out unhindered?

In Batman movies the Gotham City is very stylized and the characters' outfits does not look out of place. In Blade the city and the interiors are very modern and hi-tech - so even the vampires are dressed as a club-going crowd. And that does not make them look less menacing.

When we see provincial America and the very unromantic places like Northern Alberta, the appearance of leather-clad cloaked clowns looks weird. The scenes are not stylized or not stylized enough. Magneto and his cohorts marching down the railway station stairs is the perfect picture of the freak parade.

The accents are unbalanced. We have the realistically shot reminder of the WW II genocide at the movie's start and at the end - the ultimate comic-book messing with the Statue of Liberty. Is that the testimony of the unease Bryan Singer felt as a "serious" director venturing into the territory of the purely commercial cinema?

Of course any addition to the superhero cinematography is guaranteed a well-funded promotional campaign, an impressive official site and the merchandise that usually brings a large percentage of the film's profit. And the film has to be a total flop to leave the viewers with a definite feeling of disappointment. Even the deeply flawed movies ride a hypewave to the public appreciation.

X-men is far from being a flop, but the promise of the opening scenes is left unfulfilled. The stylish and modern entertainment degenerates into the All-American World Saving Blast'Em To Hell.

Rating:
Summary: surprisingly profound comic book tale
Review: In the world of movies, profundity often creeps up in the most unexpected and unlikely of places. Let's face it; one does not instinctively turn to the super-hero genre if one is searching for films with great thematic meaning and philosophical depth. Yet, "X-Men" provides just those qualities in the context of a thought provoking, intelligently written and superbly executed tale of "mutants" searching for acceptance, tolerance and affirmation in a world filled with frightened and often even hostile inhabitants.

Much more than just a mere action film, "X- Men" broadens into a study of the effects of prejudice, done in almost allegorical terms. Often when a theme has become played out through over exposure, it takes a fresh approach to make it come alive again. Yet another movie chronicling the injustices done to blacks, Native Americans, Jews, gays, the handicapped and a host of other routinely aggrieved groups probably would not have the same impact as this film does. By creating an entirely fictional group to serve as the target of intolerance, the filmmakers allow us see the issue from a novel perspective, stripped down to its barest essentials as it were. Since none of us brings to the film an innate prejudice against a group that doesn't exist in real life, we are all free to see the irrationality, fear and idiocy that serve as the basis for bigotry in any of its forms. How many movies of any genre can one say THAT about?

The film begins, appropriately, with a scene recreating a factual example of bigotry in one of its most recent and darkest forms - as a family of Jews in 1944 Poland is marched to its doom in a Nazi concentration camp. We discover later on that the young lad has survived the experience and that he is actually one of the first of a new breed of "mutants" being caused by a sudden leap in the human evolutionary cycle. It seems that these mutants begin manifesting their various differences around the time of puberty, and that as the 21st Century progresses and more and more of these special people begin to reveal themselves, the world finds itself grappling with the issue of whether or not they should be denied equal rights and equal citizenship and even whether or not they should be allowed to remain integrated with the rest of society. In many ways, I imagine that this film speaks with particular significance to the gay community, since in contemporary terms, that seems to be the group most often targeted with the kind of ignorant, vitriolic claptrap we hear coming from the outraged "normal" citizens and opportunistic politicians in the film. The X-Men are a group of mutants (women included, by the way) with super-human powers whose twofold mission it is to prevent the world's lawmakers from passing legislation against them and to simultaneously fight off some renegade mutants who have decided to take matters into their own, less diplomatic hands. Kudos to writer David Hayder and director Bryan Singer for daring to explore such a profound theme in such an entertaining format.

For make no mistake about it: "X-Men," for all its profundity and thematic richness, is, first and foremost, a stylish and enthralling comic book action thriller. Even though the mutant heroes are essentially two-dimensional characters, at least they don't undercut the seriousness of their purpose by indulging in the customary wisecracking, adolescent antics that have diminished so many earlier super hero characters in previous films of this nature. Most impressive is that the "villain" possesses not only a credible motive for his actions, but even the seeds of some long dormant goodness that allow for the possibility of his redemption somewhere down the road. (And it is indeed obvious that this film provides a dandy setup for a potentially lucrative series of films to follow). The first-rate action stunt sequences and state-of-the-art special effects contribute greatly to the entertainment level of the film. Of the actors, the standout is Patrick Stewart who, as the mutant dedicated to building a bridge of tolerance and understanding between the mutants and the outside world, brings just the right note of comforting civility and rationality to the role.

Yet, for all its technical virtues as an action film, it is the depth and breadth of its vision that separates "X-Men" from so many other films of its genre and makes it truly worthwhile viewing. As grateful moviegoers, our appetite is whetted - and we eagerly await our next serving.

Rating:
Summary: X-Men Is An Amazing Big Screen Film
Review: Being a fan of the X-Men, I was very excited to see this movie come out on the big screen. Many people have already said what I wanted to so I won't go into all of that. The main thing I loved about the movie was the messege. The X-Men aren't loved by society like many heros are. They are hated by the general population. I think that it's very important that humans learn to accept each other for our differences. If you haven't seen this movie yet, go see it. It's worth every penny.

Rating:
Summary: X-Men Storms your way
Review: This DVD had me excited ever since I never went to see it at the show. Thats true, sometimes money can be a pain, but ever since I saw this beauty advertised I was drooling with delight and some clear substance too. Then as soon as the DVD was out, so was I, buying a copy of it in its cool looking case that you get with it; I finally got to watch it. Whoa, was the reaction I had at the end of the movie, simply because it was everything I wanted. I'm not a fan of the show for you out there who are skeptical of buying this but the movie had a calling to me, so I bought it. The movie is based off a comic book, yet the movie seemed very serious and cool, so don't think it some sort of Power Ranger movie like thing because it's far from it. The acting is great and the special effects are beautiful. Nothing like seeing Cyclops shooting off his great beam from his eyes, nothing quite like it indeed. So if your looking for a movie with a great action sense and more over, super-human powers, this movie will rest greatly on your DVD self or the kitchen table, however you stow them is your bussiness. Buy it.

Rating:
Summary: Intelligent, exciting SUPER HERO adventure...
Review: Director Bryan Singer has done a fine job with a tough project... bring the super heroes to the screen with their story and their fans intact while attracting non-fan viewers to a film version that may or may not do justice to THE X-MEN MYTH. By most accounts he succeeded. Patrick Stewart leads the cast as Professor Charles Xavier, guardian and mentor of X-men initiates. Ian McKellen stars as Erik Lehnsherr, a boyhood prisoner of Auschwitz and a mutant with the power to control the electro-magnetic wave continuum. As Magneto, he is the implacable enemy of racist-fascism and whoever cossets or supports it. Unfortunately, much of humanity...at least in the eyes of Magneto...is irredeemably marred by this flaw and is therefore targeted by him and his Brotherhood of Mutants for unending war and counter-persecution. Many viewers note that the focus of the film is the character Wolverine played with surly machismo by Hugh Jackman. Much of the film's action does revolve around Wolfman Jack's heroism and undeniable, bogart-bad cool. But the theme of the film...despite all the great fights and well-controlled special effects is: Who is right? Xavier or Magneto. The former friends are resolute foes building formidable armies of mutant warriors. Mankind...as usual?..is oblivous to a genetic/evolutionary time-bomb ready to destroy it if it cannot reject an atavism (violent, racist intolerance)...the enemy within...that The Brotherhood is determined to resist and, if necessary, exterminate. Viewers unfamiliar with stories like THE X-MEN are unaware that they are not mere "comic book adventures". They are part of a growing literature...presented in so-called GRAPHIC NOVEL format...that is gradually constructing a MYTHOLOGY. Myths express fundamental beliefs and its heroes incarnate them. The X-Men series is an attempt to rejuvenate radical elements of THE HERO and THE HEROIC QUEST in a time when genuine heroes and their tasks are relegated to "comic status" because a decadent culture can no longer distinguish among heroes, entertainers and celebrities. THE X-MEN is an intelligent, exciting super hero adventure. But it may be aiming...like the graphic novel series...for more. Entertainment certainly, but MYTH? We shall see which KING is finally checkmated and the nature of The Game that Xavier and Magneto are really playing......

Rating:
Summary: Movie 5, DVD 3 1/2
Review: Why didn't they do a commentary? Thats the only thing this DVD package is missing. I already commented on the film, but I got the DVD and wanted to give my opinion of it.

The new scenes are interesting, though it would have been better if they have been trasfered them into the movie smoothly, the loading thing is a bit odd. And scenes are repeated, I guess more thought could have gone into that whole option, ya know? But none the less, I prefer to see the movie normally. The secrets are neat (Hint:Find a Rose and Dog Tag that will lead you to some goodies in the Art Gallery, And Trailer pages)

The trailers and tv spots are are good. Minus the very first tease trailer. (Poo!) The movie looks great, the sound is great, and the animated menus are cool, but once again COULD have been cooler.

Ya can't complain, its a nice package. The cover art, and metallic case are fun to look at.

The features are neat, but the film is what will keep you turning this Disc in your player.

Rating:
Summary: X-Men: A must-have DVD!
Review: If you're a true, blue DVD collector, this DVD should be on your shelf right now. It has everything you could want: incredible picture clarity, a five-star movie, and loads of features.

The first unique thing about this DVD is the packaging. As you can see, the DVD's not in something as durable as a keep case, or as cheap as a snap case (ahem, Warner Home Video...). Instead it's in a unique cardboard-plastic slip case that's very colorful and intriguing. Inside the cardboard shell with the X-Men front and the description back, there's a case that simply has a blue "X" in the middle of the front and back of it, and when you unfold it that has pictures of the main characters lining the inside of it and the DVD in a clear plastic case waiting for you.

Then, when you put it in, you see the full-motion menus and, when you play the movie, the breathtaking, THX-mastered picture and sound quality. And, there's also a fabulous array of features. It includes an optional extended branching version of the whole movie, which means if you select it, at points in the movie it will display an "X-Men" emblem at the bottom of the screen and branch off to a deleted scene meant to follow the previous one, then return you to the movie (you can also view the scenes separately). There's also the behind-the-scenes special aired on Fox, "The Mutant Watch", and there are 5 excerpts from Bryan Singer's interview on PBS's "The Charlie Rose Show", there's the screen test for Hugh Jackman, which shows him and Anna Paquin practicing the snowy road scene in the movie, and an Art Gallery featuring original art and story boards, the two original animatics for the Train Station and Statue of Liberty Fight Sequences, and the 2 theatrical trailers and the 3 TV spots. It also has the THX Optimode, the new feature which allows you to fine-tune your TV and sound system to get the most out of your movie, which is now becoming a standard DVD feature. And, with the X-Men DVD, there are also 2 hidden Easter Eggs. Here's how to access them:

1. At the main menu, go to the "Special Features" section and go to the "Theatrical Trailers and TV Spots" section. Go up to "Trailer A" if you're not there already, and go to the left. The rose picture to the left will be highlighted. Once it is, press Enter. You will then find the answer to the question "What would happen if Spider-Man and the X-Men were together?". And the answer is: A lot of laughs! This Easter Egg is an exclusive outtake from the movie which shows a guy in a Spider-Man suit (possibly Bryan Singer) sneaking up on Cyclops, Storm and Jean, who then looks around and says "I am completley in the wrong movie! I am so sorry!" Hilarious.

2. Go to the "Special Features" section and go to the "Art Gallery" section. Once you're there, keep going down until you highlight the picture of Wolverine's dog tags, then press Enter. You will then see an array of storyboards of two characters who were meant to appear in the movie, but will appear in the sequel.

So, to summarize, this DVD is a collectors' dream. This is a MUST-BUY!