The X-men, probably the most eagerly awaited film of the summer, at least by it’s fans, Of which it has many, the two X-men titles sell more in a month, than Superman and Batman put together. But anyway, what is the film like? Let me start by saying that I watched the film from a middling sort of position, I am a comic book fan, but I don’t read the X-men, not because I don’t like them, just because it costs me a fortune to buy what comics I do read. Therefore, I watched the film with no real expectations.

I have to say that I liked it, I would hate to make a film based on a comic/TV program etc., because okay, you have a ready made audience, but boy, will they expect you to deliver. You have a dangerous road to travel, between dumming the film down to meet the mass market, thus alienating the core fans, or making the film for the core fans and alienating the whole world, I think that situation is called the X-Files syndrome.

Luckily, I think Bryan Singer has managed to almost put it off. I had a little trouble keeping up with all the characters, as did some of the non-fans around me, but on the whole I enjoyed the experience. I would imagine that X-men fans would have an easier time getting to grips with what is going on, but that doesn’t stop the enjoyment of the film, although it was a bit short, which makes a change these days.

The cast, well what can you say about Ian Mckellan, a truly heavy weight actor, he is awesome as Magneto the world’s most powerful (and evil) mutant, who believes that the only way mutants and humans can exist together, is if the mutants are the only ones alive. Patrick Stewart as Professor X, his nemesis, proved to me what a wonderful actor he is, by the fact that I didn’t once want to say ‘make it so’ when he was on screen, my only complaint was that you don’t see enough of him. Newcomer (to the big screen at least) Hugh Jackman, was the star of the show as far as I was concerned. I must admit, that once I knew I was going to review the film, I did have a little bit of a read of the comics and Wolverine is my favourite character, and although Jackman doesn’t resemble Logan/Wolverine in physique (who really could?) he does act how I imagine Logan would. Plus, he seems to have all the humour in the film, of which there is not much (another minor quibble).

Famke Janssen and Anna Paquin are impressive as Jean Grey (the psychic) and Rogue respectively, while James Marsden and the beautiful Halle Berry fill out their roles adequately. On the whole the acting was above average, even if some of the characters could have been fleshed out a little more, we only really see a little bit about Magneto and Rogue, still with a big cast you have to expect that. Perhaps if Kevin Costner was involved we may have seen the four hour bum-numbing marathon version, but I think Bryan (The Last Suspect) Singer has done a very good job.

The film begins at a gentle pace, getting to know the characters and introducing everyone, it is here where you begin to grasp the different tone of the movie, then just past the hour mark, all hell breaks loose and you get action and teamwork, that only the X-men could be capable of (so the fans tell me!). And the ending is great believe me

So for my first film review I will give the X-Men a big thumbs up, I recommend that if you are in two minds about seeing the film, go and make your own mind up.

BB

The Cast

Hugh Jackman Logan/Wolverine

Patrick Stewart Professor Charles Xavier

Ian Mckellan Magneto

Famke Janssen Jean Grey

James Marsden Cyclops

Halle Berry Storm

Anna Paquin Rogue

Tyler Mare Sabretooth

Ray (Sith Lord) Parks Toad

Rebecca Romijn-Stamos Mystique

Directed by Bryan Singer

The X-men was released in the UK on 18^th August