X-Men . Tucson Weekly . 07-17-00

X-Men

DIRECTED BY: Bryan Singer

REVIEWED: 07-17-00

Purists will undoubtedly find finer points to quibble with, but this comic-book-to-live-action film was the first of its kind to meet all my eye-candy expectations while seeming to remain true to the good, uncomplicated concept of good versus evil. It also serves as a primer for the X-Men uninitiated, introducing this modern monster fable through a series of vignettes that converge mid-film to reveal the impending war for and against mankind, as waged by rival scientists and their respective armies of genetic mutants. Creator Stan Lee (who makes a cameo appearance as a hot-dog vendor) roots his X-men adventures in the time-honored tradition of free will, creating a dichotomy between superhero and supervillain that adheres faithfully to the concept that the world is what we make of it, for better or worse. Directed by Bryan Singer (The Usual Suspects), it stars Patrick Stewart as benevolent genius Professor X; Ian McKellen as nemesis Magnito; and, among others, Anna Paquin, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos and Ray Park (respectively as empathic Rogue, steel-clawed Wolverine, weather-controlling Storm, laser-eyed Cyclops, telekenetic Dr. Jean Grey, the shape-shifting Mystique and prehensile-tongued Toad). Its unambiguous ending suggests the X-Men franchise might well emerge--in morality tale and special effects spectacle--as the Star Wars trilogy of the double-ought decade.

--Mari Wadsworth

Interviews
X-Men

Full Length Reviews
X-Men
X-Men

Other Films by Bryan Singer
Apt Pupil
The Usual Suspects

Film Vault Suggested Links
The Postman
Deep Impact
U-571

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