Rating: 
Summary: Okay, how about an actual review...
Review: It's a shame we had to wait until summer was half over to get to the REAL blockbuster. This is easily the most entertaining movie of the summer season (with Gladiator being the BEST, but best & most entertaining can be different things). It's fun, it's action packed (take that MI:2) and the performances are all on point. Hugh Jackman delivers as Wolverine, he's splendid. We all know what Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan are capable of. The other performances are perfect as well. I'm a fan of the comic book, which to some may make it seem like I'm biased, but quite the contrary. That just means I'm more likely to hate a movie if it just takes whatever creative liberties it wants with pre-established characters and storylines (as much as I love Batman, it still urks me that everyone now thinks that the Joker killed Bruce Wayne's parents). Thankfully, X Men holds true to characters and storyline touches. Even little things like Mystique's manipulation of Rogue are handled subtley. They obviously can't go into the depth of 30 years of continuity provided in the Marvel comics, but they do a MARVEL-(pun intended)-ous job at putting what they can into an hour and a half of screen time. It's funny, it's tense, it's exciting, it's serious, it's not campy or absurd. It's just awesome, and I WILL be buying this the minute it hits video stores.
Rating: 
Summary: Marvel finally gets it right on the big screen.
Review: I haven't read the X-Men comics in close to ten years, but before I stopped, I had read almost all of the issues of the comic book series from issue #1 back in the early 1960s through issue #250 in the early 1990s. Thus I am very familiar with most of the history of the comic book heroes known as "The X-Men". When I first heard that an X-Men movie was going to be made, I had very low expectations. Marvel Comics had established a poor track record with comics turned to live action films or television series, as evidenced by low budget, low effort film versions of "The Punisher", "Dr. Strange", "Captain America", the unreleased "The Fantastic Four", and the cheesy looking "Spider-Man" television series of the late 1970s. Only "The Hulk" television series was moderately successful, although the series more resembled "The Fugitive" than the comic book series. I assumed that the X-Men movie would pretty much fall in line with the long tradition of Marvel Comics movie failures. The casting of Rebecca Romijn-Stamos as Mystique, Anna Paquin as Rogue, and Hally Berry as Storm did little to sway my skepticism. However, upon seeing "The X-Men" on opening night, I must say that I was not only pleasantly surprised, but also very impressed. The movie manages to capture most of the essence of the comic book series, takes its subject matter seriously, and is visually amazing. To my surprise, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Anna Paquin were excellent in their roles, and Hally Berry was good in hers. Hugh Jackman, largely unknown to American audiences before this movie, gave a breakthrough performance as Wolverine. James Marsden as Cyclops and Famke Jansen as Dr. Jean Grey/Marvel Girl were also good, as were Tyler Mane as Sabertooth and Ray Park as Toad. And of course, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, and Bruce Davidson as Senator Kelly were each excellent. Although most of the movie centered around introduction and establishment of the characters, I appreciated and enjoyed this, as it is rare in superhero action movies that the audience actually gets to spend time to get to know the characters beyond their powers. And as sequels are planned (judging by the opening weekend's box office take of over $57 million, there will be at least one), this movie did not need to rush through character introduction to get to big action scenes and plot developments. One thing that I was really happy to see in the movie is that the villains, who are major X-Men villains, do not suffer the same fate as the villains in the Batman movies. Without revealing too much about the X-Men movie, I'll just say that it's a shame that the Batman movies permanently disposed of The Joker, The Penguin, Two-Face, and Poison Ivy (and arguably The Riddler) after each appeared in one movie. Also, thankfully, "The X-Men" did not try to turn its villains into likeable personalities or waterred down threats to the heroes. Magneto and his "Brotherhood of Mutants" were a formidable and largely wicked bunch. I wouldn't mind seeing these villains again in a sequel, although I hope that future X-Men movies introduce some of the other great X-Men adversaries from the comics. All in all, "The X-Men" was very well done. It should appeal to action movie fans regardless of their level of familiarity with the comic series, and I hope to see "The X-Men" turn into a movie series, with perhaps one movie every two years. I should also note that as the X-Men in the comics have had dozens of members rotate in and out of the group over the years, it's not that big a concern if after a third movie, one or more of the original actors portraying a member of the X-Men decides to bow out of the series (unless Patrick Stewart declines to return as Professor X). With "The X-Men", Marvel Comics finally has a movie based on its characters that it can be proud of. Let's hope that more of this quality, or better, are to come. And not just more X-Men movies, but Spider-Man movies (now that years of legal tie-ups are finished), Avengers movies, Fantastic Four movies, etc.
Rating:
Summary: A good movie-and not just for X-men fans
Review: I was really worried that this would be the kind of campy movie that the latter Batman movies have become. Chock full of one-liners and cliches. I was happy to see that this movie and it's characters were taken very seriously. The story was really cool and Wolverine was played true to his character. I only wish it was longer! Get ready because there are going to be more sequels to come!
Rating:
Summary: X-Men
Review: An excellent movie with an engaging storyline and uncanny special effects (even Wolverine's claws look real), this is probably the first superhero movie since _Batman_ eleven years ago that didn't make fun of its subject matter. Rabid X-fans may be disappointed by deviations from comic book continuity (For example, where's Beast? Wasn't Rogue a member of Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants before she ever joined the X-Men? Not to mention the lack of costumes-they wear leather uniforms in the movie), but I recommend this movie.
Rating: 
Summary: worst hype ever
Review: oh wow this movie was lame.....to start off it used a random plot but mixed it with the correct backrounds of the characters this leads to a problem in there sequels about certain characters. second of all they used some weak mutants for characters. of all the characters in the brother hood of mutants they chose toad. (should have used juggernaut) and there were only four xmen comon now.. and whats up with the little gurl rouge (what about gambit) and for the last complaint how about a better fight director. My personal favorite was on the statue of liberty where the camera pans right infront of the head blocking the view of the fight. other then that the movie was lame (some of the fights resembled the matrix) IE wolverines flying. what kind of physics were they using. overall a 1 star. dont even rent it
Rating:
Summary: The perfect movie.
Review: This movie is without a doubt one of my favorites. The entire time I was watching it I had a satisfied/ecstatic/overjoyed smile on my face. The special effects are simply unbelievable, and left me in awe by the time the credits were rolling. It is now the 16th and I have already seen X-Men twice (it premiered on the 14th). Aside from dazzling special effects, the plot is great and carries on very well. Any X-Men comic book buff will absolutely love this movie...and even if you've never read an X-Men comic, you should rush to the theater to see the movie RIGHT NOW! The Matrix is the only movie keeping X-Men from being my favorite. I can't wait till the DVD comes out!
Rating:
Summary: A real treat for the X-Men fans
Review: X-Men. A group of mutants who band to protect Homo Sapiens from Magneto and his cronies. The series had many faithful followers, reveling in the comics and TV show. Now they have another reason to be happy. The movie opened on July 14. Me and a whole bunch of friends saw it on the day after.... and IT KICKED SOME SERIOUS... never mind. It starts out in a Nazi death camp, focusing in on a boy who had just been separated from his mom and dad. He runs to try to join them, but some guards restrain him. His parents go through some gates and the gates are closed. The boy screams in despair as he reaches towards the gates. But something strange happens. The gates come toward his way and they start to collapse. But then a guard hits him on the head and he's knocked toward the ground, with his eyes closed in agony. Then the movie shifts into our not so distant future. A girl walks into a bar and sees a fight going on in a cage. A guy nicknamed "Wolverine" is just hammering the other guy and wins the match. The girl watches the whole thing and sits down on a stool, drinking plain water the whole time. Wolverine sits next to her and orders a beer. Then, she sees a guy walking toward Wolverine, and guess what?, it's the dude that Wolverine wasted on! He threatens Wolverine with a knife, then Wolverine pushes him toward a pillar. Suddenly, medal claws spring out of his left hand, pointing them straight at the other guy's throat. Then everyone in the bar knows that he's a mutant, a Homo Sapiens who evolved into Homo Superior! The bartender creeps behind Wolverine with a gun and points it straight at his head. Then claws come out of his right hand, and they cut the gun in half! Wolverine leaves the bar and the girl leaves quickly after, without him knowing. He drives into the wilderness for a while, but then he hears something. He looks into his trailer, and whatta know, it's the girl. She says her name is Rogue, blah, blah, blah......... I won't tell you what happens but suddenly they find themselves fighting a mutant called "Sabertooth". But then two mutants called "Cyclops" and "Storm" waste on Sabertooth and save Rogue and Wolverine. Then the plot gets interesting... But I won't reveal anymore, see it yourself. Absolutely the best movie out this summer, the plot's great, the movie's funny, the acting is great, but unfortunately, the fight scenes don't meet the sweetness of the fights in MI:2. But everything else makes up for it. You won't waste your money on this movie, it's worth every single penny!
Rating:
Summary: Alright but doesn't live up to the hype.
Review: The X-MEN was dubbed "The best movie of the Summer" I disagree, having seen "Shaft, Gone in 60 seconds and M:I:2 They all are better Then The X-Men. X-MEN is a good movie. X-MEN:B-
Rating:
Summary: A GODSEND TO ALL COMIC FANS!
Review: I cannot believe that I'm actually saying this, but Marvel has put out a great comic movie. All it took is the directorial genius of Singer, a bit of patience on Marvel's part, and a superb, low-budget cast to pull it off. Every actor has, in my opinion, captured the essence of their comic-book counterpart. The tension between Woverine and Cyclops is there, and is delivered to a great comdeic effect. Bryan Singer has maintained true to the roots of X-Men, changing only a few details, which are quickly overlooked by the great story that he weaves. The costumes: A little bit too Matrix-like, but they do seem to fit Storm, Cyke, and Wolvie; when you see them in action. The other characters: look quick for Iceman, Boom-Boom, Cannonball, Jubilee, and Kitty Pryde. That was all that I could make out, although I heard that Piotr Rasputin was attending the school also. Great way to bring them in for a possible, what am I saying?, a most likely sequel. The critics: A quick note, I recently read a ludricrous review by a half-wit and uninformed Detroit Free Press Movie Critic that bashed the movie. Among his complaints were that Singer tried to make the movie an allegory by placing Xavier as Martin Luther King Jr. and Magneto as Malcolm X. Has he read the early comics? They were an allegory for that, just read any interview about the X-men by Stan or Jack! Oh yeah, and the guy also didn't like the storyline about Wolvie's past, saying that it was unnecessary. It's called a subplot for character development dolt! The future: Is this a prophetic sign of things to come for comic-based movies? I sure hope so, can't stand another Batman and Robin.
Rating:
Summary: One of the best films to mix action and drama!
Review: X-men is an awesome film that really cares about its characters. Bryan Singer was the perfect director, he really made the character development important(as it should be) but he also had the action element in the film. These two things were masterfully blended to create one of the few action movies that has true and real heart. The acting was phenomenal all around. James Marsden(Cyclops) Famke Janssen(Jean Grey), and Hallie Berry(Storm) gave fabulous performances concidering their minial screne time. Partrick Stewart(Professor X) and Ian McKellen(Magneto) were perfectly matched in their leadership roles, they played well off each other. The two performers that stole the show were Hugh Jackman(Wolverine)and Anna Paquin(Rogue) Jackman protrayed the right mix of brut fury and gentleness that is shown best when he befriends Rogue. He shows an understanding of the heart Wolverine has because you see the pain of him not knowing his past and the connection he feels toward Rogue. Paquin protrayed Rogue with gentleness, understanding, and realisiem that brought out the pain of having Rogue's horrible power. She also showed that Rogue was strong when she was trying to deal with how her power will affect her life. Paquin proves she is the perfect Rogue. Jackman and Paquin had great chemistry(concidering the age difference) It seemed as if they did not even have to try to bring across Wolverine's and Rogue's deep connection. You felt the understanding and love between them. Overall, X-men is a fabulous film that ranks amoung the best action films because it cares more for the characters than endless action that has to point. The action is their to enhance the story and its characters. It is not the primary object of this film. The characters always come first and formost in this film-as they always should. Finally, a worthy comic book adaptation.
|
