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X-MEN: GIVING RESPECT TO THE COMIC FANS
by: Edwin Bartolome
 Bryan Singer’s original “X-Men” movie has been widely praised
for giving due consideration to the comic book fans. Indeed, it’s faithfulness
to the comic book was seen as its biggest strength. Well, apart from the non-appearance
of Wolverine’s yellow spandex, or Rogue’s green outfit, the movie
was seen as the ideal movie adaptation. Such observation came from a fanbase
that was so traumatized by the latter Batman movies’ radical departure
from the source material.
This movie was heralded as the ‘thinking man’s comicbook movie’.
Why? Well, the plot is replete with philosophical debates that often find resonance
in everyday life. The basic arguments are between two groups of mutants – one
that believes that the much-feared and misunderstood mutants can live harmoniously
together with the Earth’s human majority, and another that espouses the
destruction of the human race and the ascendancy of mutants.
The first group is represented by the X-Men, a docile mutant group headed
by telepath Professor Charles Xavier, perfectly played by Star Trek’s
legendary Captain Patrick Stewart. He runs a “school for gifted youngsters” which
is actually a center that gives shelter, training and education to young mutants
and aims to guide them toward the path that’s straight and right. Assisting
the Professor in this undertaking are Cyclops (James Marsden), who shoots fiery
optic blasts; Storm (Halle Berry) who controls the weather; and Jean Grey (Famke
Janssen) who is telepathic and telekinetic.
Toward this group gravitated two aimless wanderers, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)
who possesses self-healing powers as well as adamantium claws, and Rogue (Anna
Paquin) who has the ability to absorb another being’s life force.
The second group is the sinister Brotherhood of Evil Mutants headed by one-time
Xavier friend Magneto (Ian McKellen). Under his command are the shape-shifting
Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), the agile Toad (Ray Park) and the behemoth
Sabretooth (Tyler Mane).
The Brotherhood is after Rogue who will be the repository of Magneto’s
life force as he attempts to implement a grand scheme to convert all the world
leaders into mutants. The stage is set for a cataclysmic battle between good
and evil mutants atop the Statue of Liberty in which the victor will be able
to tip the scale either toward the “co-existence” philosophy or
the “domination” philosophy.
Bryan Singer weaves an interesting tale in this very first entry of the Marvel
resurgence. The characters were adequately and stylishly introduced. I especially
liked Wolverine’s introduction scene in the mansion where Professor X
explains almost everything about the School for Gifted Youngsters to this confused
man. The sheer brilliance of the editing was readily apparent for all to see.
The fight scenes were a thrill, though they were quite far between each other.
The “Mexican standoff” sequence in the train station was a classic
superhero scene and it afforded all mutants the opportunity to display each
of their awesome powers. The fight atop the Statue of Liberty between Wolverine
and Sabretooth was also a fun ride although the CGI and the ‘green screen’ applications
were quite apparent in the characters’ unrealistic movements.
The acting merits were spotty at best, with the best performances delivered
by the two British thespians McKellen and Stewart, who tackled their characters
with much gusto and aplomb. Jackman’s Wolverine was also a revelation…though
he still lacked the trademark savagery of his comic book counterpart. Romijn-Stamos’ Mystique
was probably the most memorable character in the ensemble.
The main complaint that I had with this movie is the relegation of Cyclops
and Storm to supporting roles. These two mutants form the strong foundations
of the X-Men in the comics. How I wished they could’ve performed that
role in the movie. But the writers were so dead set to have the spotlight onto
Wolverine and Rogue so sadly, the optic blaster and the weather goddess had
to take the back seat.
Overall, I liked this movie. I actually saw this movie six times in the theater.
This was a manifestation of how much I loved the characters. I’ve been
reading the comic book since I was around 10 years old and my multiple visits
to the cinema was merely the explosion of all the pent-up passion I had for
the X-Men and all the Marvel comic book creations I grew up with. And I can
honestly say that this movie showered me with respect as it stayed true to
the material that I so deeply love.
All characters are © and ™ of their respective
companies.
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