Apart from the brushed metal production design and pin-sharp camerawork, this offers only moderate excitement.
X-Men (2000)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:144
Fresh:116
Rotten:28
Average Rating:6.9/10
Consensus: The story is faithful to the comic books and, while the movie may be too Wolverine centered, it packs a freaky punch that is sure to excite the average summer moviegoer.
Runtime: 2 hrs
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Synopsis: Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, X-MEN takes place in the near future, as certain humans are evolving into mutants with special powers. In the Canadian wilderness, a young... Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, X-MEN takes place in the near future, as certain humans are evolving into mutants with special powers. In the Canadian wilderness, a young runaway mutant named Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), a bad-tempered, quick-healing mutant with retractable metal claws, are suddenly attacked by the powerful Magneto (Ian McKellen) and his lackeys. Fortunately, Cyclops (James Marsden) and Storm (Halle Berry), students of the compassionate Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), interfere and bring them back to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Here Wolverine and Rogue learn more about the conflict between Xavier and the militant Magneto, who wants to power a device that will genetically alter humans, with possibly deadly results. Only Xavier's students can stop Magneto's plans. Director Bryan Singer (THE USUAL SUSPECTS) displays his expertise with an ensemble cast, accomplishing a feat by making the first live-action film about an entire group of superheroes. Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the ill-tempered Wolverine is dead-on, while Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are ideally matched in their Martin Luther King, Jr.- and Malcolm X-like roles. Smart and well-paced, X-MEN towers above most comic book movies. [More]
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davison, Tyler Mane, Ray Park, Shawn Ashmore, Matthew Sharp
Director: Bryan Singer
Director: Bryan Singer
Screenwriter: David Hayter, Bryan Singer, Tom DeSanto
Producer: Lauren Shuler Donner, Ralph Winter
Composer: Michael Kamen
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Reviews for X-Men
It's not as good as Superman II and certainly nowhere near as good as the comic book; but it's good enough to raise hopes for the sequel.
It's snappy, snazzy, witty, non-exclusive and there are some great performances, with newcomer Jackman -- an Aussie stage performer -- the standout.
Never before has a superhero adventure movie devoted significant time to setting up political context for its fictional reality.
A superb cast and spotless direction from Bryan Singer make this one a summer must-see, and a film that goes right alongside the first Batman and Superman as genre bests.
Relative newcomer Hugh Jackman is a real find as the brooding Wolverine.
X-Men plays like a so-so middle chapter of an epic series rather than a fitting kickoff.
What makes this film such a success is its seriousness on the subject of proper and improper responses to oppression, its unique and memorable characters, its cleverness and visual imagination, and its refusal to degenerate into a bloodbath.
Not as disturbingly dark as Batman, but yet it still has the hard gritty edge that keeps the audience riveted to the screen.
All these characters with their odd powers are inherently absurd and they throw a barrel of wrenches into the machinery of a coherent narrative.
Singer was wise enough to keep the fight scenes silent instead of featuring the usual inane banter of most comic-book movies.
Latest News for X-Men
October 12, 2009:
Bryan Singer Wants More X-Men ![]()
Could Bryan Singer make a return to the "X-Men" franchise? The director says he's approached Fox about just such a move. More...
September 25, 2009:
Weekly Ketchup: X-Men Producer Talks X4, New Mutants
This Week's Ketchup had so many rotten ideas, that Greg couldn't settle on just one. So we're breaking this week's top ten stories into the "Fresh Developments" and their... More...
June 02, 2009:
Bryan Singer Talks Superman, X-Men Franchises ![]()
Could Bryan Singer still be interested in another "Superman" movie? How about a return to the "X-Men" franchise? He discussed both topics in a pair of recent interviews. More...
April 30, 2009:
Total Recall: Marvel Comics Movies, Worst To Best
With X-Men Origins: Wolverine debuting this weekend, we decided this week's Total Recall would be the perfect place to pay homage by looking back at every theatrically released... More...
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