X-MEN
US, 2000, 104 minutes, Colour.
Patrick Stewart, Ian Mc Kellen, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Tyler Mane, Ray Park, Bruce Davison, Shawn Ashmore.
Directed by Bryan Singer.
X- Men was very successful on its first release in 2000. It emerged when comic books were becoming very popular on-screen. In fact, it led to two sequels as well as a film about the origins of the X- Men, two Wolverine films as well as X- Men, Days of Future Past.
Patrick Stewart became the icon of Professor Charles Xavier, head of the school for mutants. Classical stage actor, he had become very popular as Captain Picard in the Star Trek series. Ian Mc Kellen, also a professional stage actor, had made many films, including Apt Pupil, for director Bryan Singer. With his role as Magneto, followed by his six films as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings as well as The Hobbit films, he became an international star.
Many actors were considered for the role of Wolverine but it was given to Hugh Jackman who had appeared in some Australian films but was best known for his musical talent in Beauty and the Beast, Sunset Boulevard and, in the West End, Oklahoma. He received very good reviews and appeared as Wolverine in all the subsequent films including the two about his character. Halle Berry also made an impact as Storm, and James Marsden as Cyclops. Anna Paquin was to appear in the subsequent films as Rogue as did Famke Janssen as Jean.
The stories, created in the 1960 by Stan Lee and James Kirby, were imaginative in the creation of the mutants, their powers and their exercise of their powers. In this story, there is hostility towards mutants, especially in the politician played by Bruce Davison. However, Magneto captures him, tortures him and persuades him to change his attitude. In the meantime, Magneto’s allies were to disrupt an international meeting and make away with the delegates.
Director Bryan Singer had first made a number of independent films but moved more into the mainstream with Apt Pupil and this film. He made Superman Returns, Valkyrie as well as further X- Men films.
1. Acclaim at its first release, favourable reviews? Popularity at the box-office? And the now-long series of films which derive from this original.
2. 2000 and the popularity of graphic comics? The film versions? This series in print in the 1960s, the characters, the issues?
3. The basic premise of the film, the existence of the mutants? The characters, their roles? Discovering the mutation, fears? The possibility of mutants coexisting with humans?
4. The strong cast, their pinpointing their characters, establishing characters for the further films?
5. The range of settings, rugged country, suburbs, New York City, the Statue of Liberty, Professor Xavier’s School? The musical score?
6. The opening, the introduction to Rogue, at home, her discovering her mutation, unable to be touched? Her fears, hurting others? Her escaping from home, the encounter with Wolverine, their travelling together, a fascination with him and his claws, his going into action to defend them? Coming to Professor Xavier school?
7. Introduction to Wolverine, Hugh Jackman beginning his long series as Wolverine? Appearance, personality? The growing development of information about him during the series? His going into action, the encounter with Rogue, the fights, claws, the pain as they came out and withdrew? His independence, yet his concern for Rogue?
8. The introduction to Professor Xavier and Magneto? Their past, the war, the Holocaust? Suffering, seeing them as young, the effect (later taken up in X-Men? Origins) and the choosing of the dark side by Eric, his mutation, magnetism, Magneto? Charles and his choosing the heroic side, his injuries, his becoming a professor, his school? Seeing him in action in the school, his support of the students?
9. The introduction to the mutants, Storm, her face, her appearance, her clothes, capacity for creating storms? Cyclops, masking his eyes, the intensity of his gaze, constructive and destructive? His personality?
10. The member of Congress, his speeches, denouncing the mutants, rallying people against them, the encounter with Magneto? Magneto, taking him, subjecting him to torture and brainwashing? His going to the meeting, his speeches? His apology, and his supporting mutants? His surviving the ordeal with Magneto?
11. Jean, her speech about the mutants, interrogated by the Congressman, her own powers? Who work at the school? The encounter with Wolverine, helping him with his injuries? The bond between them?
12. Ordinary life at the school, Professor Xavier, the various mutants, the youngsters who would become important in the success of films?
13. The confrontation between the older Xavier and Magneto? Love-hate?
14. The mission, Magneto with Rogue, at the Statue of Liberty, her imprisonment and fear? Magneto and his wanting to touch her and transformer?
15. The meeting, the world leaders, the issue of dominance, the issue of the mutants? The scenes of the meetings?
16. Magneto and his associates, Mystique, Sabretooth, the Toad? In action, their fights, the techniques? Mystique and her transformations?
17. Storm and creating the storm, Cyclops and his using his eyes? Jean and levitation? Wolverine, his fights, capture, breaking free, Mystique becoming Wolverine, his seeming to fight himself? His sense of the enemy present? Mystique becoming Storm? The confrontation and fights?
18. Magneto taken, imprisoned and isolated by Professor Xavier? Still having ambitions to conquer? The rest of the mutants going back to the school and a sense of peace? Wolverine and his decision to leave?
19. Audiences ready for the sequels?
