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In a time when race and religion don't separate people, but extra powers
and mutated characteristics do, two longtime friends, Professor Charles
Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellen) part ways, only to
become rivals over the issue of how much patience they should have with
"normal" people. Living lives that scare most humans lacking the
"X-factor" (a special power such as telekinesis), they fight over
changing the general population into mutants. Xavier decides to help
mutants in a special school while waiting for humanity to be more
accepting, while Magneto opts to change all "normal" people into mutants
in order to create a mutant-only world. Leading a group of four powerful
X-Men (and women) to rescue one lost girl (the mutant Rogue, played by
Anna Paquin)--and the entire population of New York--Xavier recruits a
new member to their group: Logan (Hugh Jackman), better known as
Wolverine, joins the team with much reluctance, only to prove very
valuable to the rescue effort.
Each member of the X-Men has mastered their special gift--the ability
to create a storm (Storm, played by Halle Berry), telekinesis (Dr. Jean
Grey, played by Famke Janssen), eyesight carrying laserlike destructive
power (Cyclops, played by James Marsden), the ability to heal nearly any
wound he sustains (Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman). The chemistry
among these four sets the stage for some expert teamwork--and some
hidden romance. The mutants' ensemble work drives the action sequences,
such as in a train station battle with Magneto's crew--including
Sabertooth (Tyler Mane), Toad (Ray Park), and Mystique (Rebecca
Romijn-Stamos)--that unleashes a lot of destruction, thanks to the
striking special effects.
You don't have to be a fan of the hugely popular X-Men comic books to
enjoy Bryan Singer's film, which is loaded with creativity, cool
effects, and characters complex enough to lift it above run-of-the-mill
action films. And Singer sets the stage admirably for the sequels that
could turn X-Men into the strongest comic-book franchise since
Batman. --Sandra Levin
