X-Men: Review By skywise

Feb 25th, 2011 by skywise
"A fine movie and a great addition to the X-Men mythos"
  • OVERALL
    4.0
    GREAT
  • Story
  • Acting
  • Directing
  • Visuals
In a lot of ways X-Men was a precursor to the super hero boom. A testing ground to gauge audiences responses to this type of story. It could be argued that Blade was the real precursor but most people who viewed Blade probably did not even know that he was a comic book hero. X-Men proved that there was an audience for this type of story and the X-Men characters were well known as the comic book was among the most popular books in comic history and for a time the bestselling book in the Marvel stable. Add to that the many cartoon incarnations and you have a very popular comic book franchise put on the silver screen for mass audiences. Brian Singer was a great choice as his earlier works were very character driven and dramatic while utilizing action as a means to further the story instead of a story centered on the action.

Anyone who knows the comic book history of the X-Men knows that the action usually took second stage to the character interaction. Singer managed to pull together an excellent cast for this purpose. Ian McKellen did a wonderful job in bringing the menace that Magneto harbors but also played out the dichotomy of his position in the mutant universe. Magneto was always a sympathetic character who just happened to land on the wrong side of the fence according to his old friend Professor X who was played by Patrick Stewert and who seems to be born to play the role. Furthermore, Magneto's opening sequence and origin as well has his frequent references to being in a concentration camp add to the sympathy factor. This is very important to in the framework that Brian Singer laid down for X-Men. Other welcomed performances come in the form of Bruce Davison's Senator Kelly and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine. In the comic books Wolverine is short and stocky and very powerful and although Jackman was rather tall he defined the character very well. On the other hand Tyler Mane's performance as Sabertooth is laughable and he doesn't come close to representing the complexity and nature of that character.

The film deviates from the storyline in the X-Men books but I found these changes to be easily swallowed as Singer maintained the tone of the books while compacting decades of stories into one film. Having said that, I would really have liked to see Rogue in her typical flying and super strength fashion even if it never explained the Carol Danvers connection (although I believe some exposition could have dealt with this issue or it could have been covered in a sequel). From the opening sequence, to the revelation that the senate is considering passing the "Mutant Registration Act" there is a very moody undertone to the film that is compounded by Singer's direction and wonderful cinematography as well as Michael Kaman's score. This grim undertone is important in the X-Men mythos and is very present in the books. Singer deals with the X-Men in a minimalist fashion most probably due to budget constraints but he manages to keep the story fun and moody at the same time.

Brian Singer's X-Men is a film for the fans and in so there are plenty of Easter Eggs for the keen eye. The movie is an overall enjoyable experience with great direction and satisfying acting but is ultimately constrained by its budget.

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Comments (31)

  1. skywise

    @dan1 i know it really kind of broke my heart when i read that Aronofsky walked away from what might have been one of the most original superhero movies.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  2. Dan

    Sigh, re-reading this conversation makes me sad. Such an ugly, unfortunate turn of a events concerning the Wolverine movie.

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  3. Lane

    @skywise: Understandable. I am a die-hard Supes fan, as well. Not of the comics as I've never read them but of Superman in general. And as a die-hard, I'm not one of those who neither outright rejects something about Superman percieved by others as bad, nor accepts an interpretation otherwise percieved as "good."

    I can accept Superman Returns because it felt like a Superman movie to me. Despite it's flaws, it's look and feel were very much "Superman." For a lot of the things they got wrong, I think there were a few other things where they really nailed it. I can say the same about Smallville because again, despite it's flaws and the fact that it's even considered to be in it's own universe with a different take on the character from the comics, it "feels" very Superman.

    However, for something almost critically panned, but favored mostly by "die-hard" Superman fans, I can't accept something like Lois & Clark: TNAoS because it never once FELT like Superman to me (nor did the man playing him). From the poor quality of the show, to it's heavy amount of campiness making it downright laughable at times, it just didn't hold up as well to other Superman interpretations. I always believed it should've taken itself more seriously. But hey... atleast it was faithful to the comic book.

    And that's really the only defense the "die-hards" have against it. Yet Smallville and Superman Returns, both of which are infinitely better in terms of appearance and quality are continually bashed by people who just want to pick apart every little mistake so they can have an excuse for hating it. As both a fan of film and of Superman, that will never, ever make sense to me.

    2 years agoby @lane1Flag

  4. skywise

    @Monkey-iron well yes but as far as i know Hellboy hasnt destroyed any worlds has he? I am not familiar with him outside the awesome movies and some artwork. Meanwhile, Dark Phoenix actually destoyed entire systems of planets. What a woman!

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  5. skywise

    @lane1 I have a die hard supes fan (in real life) and he looooves that movie but he loves everything so i cant use him as a guage. All i really know from supes fans is what i read online and most of it is kind of...well disapointing. You know, your never going to be able to please everyone and those that are geeks (sorta like me) are very vocal about what we do an do not like about our favorite characters in the movies or other media.

    So even tho it was probably a minority of people who hated on Returns they were a very vocal minority.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  6. skywise

    @dan1 As a huge fan of Aronofsky (and it seems like everyone is these days) i am absolutly stoked for his take on the Wolvie. The story he chose is an emotional one in general and one that i thought they would have done with the first movie....but i guess they had to get Gambit and Blob on screen before moving on the the REAL wolverine.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  7. Lane

    @dan1 I agree, Returns should've been a reboot, not a rehash. But my point was that a lot more people liked it for what it was, rather than what it wasn't. Some of the complaints from fans were just ridiculous... almost as bad as the ones for Smallville. -- Almost, lol.

    2 years agoby @lane1Flag

  8. Monkeyiron 2.0

    destroyer of worlds sounds like hellboy @skywise

    2 years agoby @Monkey-ironFlag

  9. Dan

    @lane1 Watching Supes II, then Returns, aesthetically Returns is infinitely better, no doubt about that. Just should have separated itself The Donner's series. Well, then 'Returns' wouldn't make too much sense in the title, eh? Lol.

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  10. Lane

    @skywise: I think it's safe to say the majority of Superman fans actually liked and appreciated what Singer tried to do with Returns. The criticism of the film was mostly by critics, not many fans.

    Oh, and the Act is called "Vigilante Registration Act" on Smallville... don't know if its in any of the DC comic books.

    2 years agoby @lane1Flag

  11. Dan

    @skywise It was probably Andy's natural charisma that drew you to him. He wasn't the biggest gladiator, but he certainly gave off that leadership charm like no other. Least that's what I thought.

    While I think First Class will be fun because of Fassbender (and January Jones, and a special mention for the Bacon, his presence still makes me laugh that he'd be in an X-Men movie), the last X-Men movie I'm going to take seriously is Aronofsky's Wolverine. It won't be out til next year, and I can already promise you it'll be great, serious, and emotional.

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  12. skywise

    @dan1 and left to do what? Piss off every hardcore superman fan out there? I understand what he was trying to do there but he should have stuck it out with X Men. But that is neither here nor there as they say. whats done is done and brett Ratner.................

    I cant finish (tears)

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  13. skywise

    @dan1 i am a die hard spartacus fan and thought the prequel was done very well. It is sad that Andy Whitfield will not be returning...something about him made me really care about his situation. Great actor.

    And i am pleased that Starz at least gave him an entire season to determine the probability of his return. But as we all know now, Andy will be replaced and that is a REAL bummer.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  14. Dan

    @lane1 It really was a bummer. Singer was on a role, and left while the fire was hottest.

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  15. skywise

    @dan1 and @lane1 i...third what Supes said. Gambit and Rogue go together like bread and butter. Definatly one of the most intense relationships in the marvel universe....especially when the big secret Remy was hiding come to light. Would have been awesome!

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  16. Lane

    I second what @dan1 said on his last comment.

    2 years agoby @lane1Flag

  17. Lane

    @skywise They got her right in the second film... :/

    (Phoenix, I mean). Man would that have been cool to see it finished well in the third film. The build up for it in the second one was intense. Damn Singer for walking away w/o finishing! lol

    2 years agoby @lane1Flag

  18. Dan

    And I want to see Rogue with Gambit...

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  19. Dan

    @skywise True Blood and Spartacus are the best guilty pleasures on television at the moment. Highly recommend both.

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  20. skywise

    @dan1 haha agreed on half a dozen sugahs! Wow! I had no idea..maybe i should check this True blood out?

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  21. skywise

    @Monkey-iron thank you. And i would love to call it the Phoenix trilogy if they had done that story right...or at least a little closer to the original books. Dark Phoenix was the source of so much death and destruction and you never even got a taste of her true power in the 3rd film (which i will review by the end of the millenium). Destroyer of worlds! Devastator of civilizations!

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  22. Dan

    Paquin is naked like 1/3 of the time on True Blood, yeah she's sexy on that, I would say :P

    For the reboot down the road, pick someone older though, and I want to see her put her powers to good use, and hear half a dozen "Suges" per movie :P

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  23. Monkeyiron 2.0

    can we all call it the phoenix trilogy oh and nice review @skywise

    2 years agoby @Monkey-ironFlag

  24. skywise

    not to mention that she showed up in the early X Mens under mystique's care as one of the Brotherhood. All of this was erased however so Singer could focus on the pain of not being able to touch someone...which goes on and on....and on and on and on......

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  25. skywise

    @dan1 as @lane1 mentioned the character was butchered. Not only did we not get the sugah line but she NEVER kissed anyone as a means to absord their powers. Rogue was always kind of a sexy character and while Paquin can be sexy (i hear she is on True Blood anyway) they really reinvisioned the character. It was a huge disapointment for a lot of fans.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  26. Dan

    Did we even ever get to hear her say "Suge?"

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag

  27. skywise

    @lane1 i agree that Paquin's performance was the only thing that kept her character afloat but after the initial storyline she seemed rather....useless. And ya your right the "registration act" thing is waaay over used. Hell in Marvel Civil War it just simply became the "Super hero Registration Act"

    The fact that she played second fiddle was always annoying since she is one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. Even more interesting is her relationship with Carol Danvers and the almost slit personality problems she faced when dealing with DAnvers Pyshe. That all would have made for very dramatic story/side stories.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  28. Lane

    Rogue's character was always butchered in The X-Men films, every time. Anna Paquin is a great actress who always plays her roles with the upmost respect and passion for the material, but her performance was really the only thing that kept me from hating movie Rogue. I too would've loved to see her character used to the best of her abilities, and the fact that she played second fiddle to the other X-Men (as a student) was absurd and disgraceful. Boo to that terrible movie decision.

    Also, is it just me, or is there a "Mutant Registration Act" in just about every incarnation of every comic book universe? I say this because it was the main plotline for Smallville this season and my brother pointed out the over-use of it in other comic book media. Your mention of it here is what made me remember it being in this film, as well. :P

    2 years agoby @lane1Flag

  29. skywise

    @dan1 Thank you sir, i do indeed plan on reviewing the other movies as soon as i can make the time. scheduala little tight lately.

    2 years agoby @skywiseFlag

  30. Dan

    Good first actual review, sir. Do you plan on reviewing the other X-Men movies?

    2 years agoby @dan1Flag