The Movie Guys: ‘X-Men’ gives hint of what’s to come

Friday, July 14, 2000 | 8:53 a.m.

The Movie Guys, starring Jeff Howard and Dave Neil, appears Fridays in the Sun. They can also be seen on the 11 a.m. Friday newscast on KVVU Channel 5. Plus, check them out online at lasvegassun.com/sun/sunlife/ movies and themovieguys.com.

Grades: Jeff B, Dave B+.

Starring: Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen.

Screenplay: David Hayter.

Director: Bryan Singer.

Rated: PG-13 for violence, language and mature themes.

Running time: 95 minutes.

Playing at: UA Showcase 8, UA Rainbow Promenade 10, Century Orleans, Century Desert 16, Century Cinedome 12 Henderson, Rancho Santa Fe 16, Las Vegas Drive-in, Regal Cinemas Sunset Station, Regal Cinemas Colonnade 14, Regal Cinemas Texas Station 18, Regal Cinemas Village Square 18.

Synopsis: Adapted from the most popular Marvel comics of the 1990s, "The X-Men" are a group of genetic mutants with amazing abilities, brought together and trained by the world's most powerful telepath, Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), to help fight for his dream -- a world where the mutant minority and human majority can live together in harmony. However, the Mutant Master of Magnetism, Magneto (Ian McKellen), has come to believe the mutant race is superior to humanity. With anti-mutant sentiment prevailing at every turn, the X-Men strive to protect the very humans who fear and hate them.

Jeff: As I sit at my desk writing this review, over my right shoulder rests my comic book collection of about 5,000, all safely bagged in long cardboard boxes. They include books from my childhood such as "Richie Rich," "Fantastic Four," "The Incredible Hulk" and current titles such as "Spawn" and "Sandman."

A lot has changed over the years as comics (now called "graphic novels") have taken on a mature look and themes, capturing an older reading audience. The most popular title of all time is Stan Lee's "X-Men," and you can imagine my ecstasy when the film went into production last year. As a fan of the comic, I would be unforgiving in reviewing its adaptation to the big screen. Would they do it right? I'm happy to report that director Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects") and his cast and crew have pulled off the impossible. They have remained faithful to the series and have neglected to dumb down the material, creating a mature and compelling film with rich characters and remarkable special effects.

Dave: I'm on the opposite side of the spectrum when it comes to the world of comic books ... er, excuse me, "graphic novels." Aside from the occasional comic that I might have bought when I was knee-high, I never found myself in the comic craze. However, I was never out of touch with the pop culture behind the latest comics, especially the death of Superman, the various gothic tales of Batman, the dark nature behind the Crow, and others. Certain comic book characters who have made the jump to feature filmdom have found either box office success (the series of the "Batman" films or "Blade") or failed to start a promising franchise (1997's "Spawn"). Now "X-Men" is poised to not only launch a promising franchise, but satisfy the most faithful fans and possibly generate new "X-Men" followers.

Jeff: The next stage of mankind's evolution has arrived. Mutants are everywhere and fear of their infiltration has influenced Sen. Kelly (Bruce Davison) to pass laws exposing "the freaks of nature." A safe haven for the mutants is with Professor Xavier, a telepath and teacher. At his school the mutants learn how to harness their powers and use them for the benefit of mankind. A former colleague of Professor X is Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto, who despises mankind and uses his powers of magnetism to destroy New York and turn all of its citizens into mutants.

The plot sounds like it came right out of a comic book and the civil rights movement of the 1960s. The film is steeped in well-rounded characters, each possessing a unique power and personality. The casting is crucial for a film such as this and each actor is perfect. Logan's (the Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman) looks, demeanor and razor-sharp blades extending from his knuckles all seem to have been lifted right out of the comic. Logan arrives with the youthful Rouge (Oscar-winner Anna Paquin) who has the power to absorb the memories of anyone she touches, but her touch is deadly and she quickly leaves the school to set out on her own, right into the hands of Magneto.

Dave: Along with fellow X-Men are the energy-eye beaming Cyclops ("Disturbing Behavior's" James Marsden), the telekinetic Jean Grey (the beautiful Famke Janssen) and the weather-manipulating Storm (the equally beautiful Halle Berry), Wolverine sets out to save Rogue from the clutches of Magneto and put a stop to his elaborate master plan for mutant-kind.

Instead of relying on camp or throwaway lines, director Singer creates a dark fantasy world around our superior human race. The film's opening, depicting a young Erik -- who was tragically separated from his family in a Nazi camp, where he first exercises his extraordinary gift -- builds the background for Magneto's dispute with society. Along with the villainous Brotherhood, the savage Sabretooth (Tyler Mane), the metamorphic Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) and the vicious Toad (Ray Park), they look to justify themselves as the rightful heirs to the future of the world. Stewart and McKellen provide a legitimacy to the comic movie and a touch of class to their roles as rival leaders exchanging words of warning.

The filmmakers show great respect, carefully developing a fast-paced, creative story and introducing characters to what has the promise of being something bigger and better if and when the saga continues.

Jeff: Alas, the film's climax is partially hokey. The final battle is on the Statue of Liberty, where we finally see some action, a component that is far too absent in the film. I'm sure the sequels will provide more action, and the first installment is designed for character setup, but I still have some questions. "X-Men" is staged with the utmost reality, as if this could really happen, but Magneto falls victim to cliches, such as having an island hideout (as did Dr. Evil in "Austin Powers").

I couldn't help but wonder where he obtained the money and manpower to run his operation. Why put his doomsday machine on top of the Stature of Liberty? How did he get it there without anyone seeing it? Professor X provides the X-Men a hideout beneath the school with lots of staff and equipment, but Magneto has only Toad and Sabertooth. Couldn't an intelligent super-villain come up with a better plan than to change humans into mutants?

Dave: I cannot help my colleague Jeff understand a simple (yet complex in the scheme of things) plan that speaks for itself. Furthermore, to undermine the climactic battle scene on the Statue of Liberty is trivial, and to question Magneto's motive makes me believe Jeff was out in the lobby area during the second act. The film itself calls attention to its comic book reality in one line. As Wolverine is introduced to Professor X's students, he smirks, "This is the stupidest thing." "X-Men" is, after all, an action-fantasy that bases itself in reality and captures the spirit of what I believe every comic book-turned-cinematic feature strives to be: a grade-A film in its growing genre.

Jeff: Well, I guess I wanted more action and special effects. I'm never satisfied. Still, it's "X-Men," and if you're a fan of the comics or not, it's a dark fantasy that will not doubt create a new generation of fans, young and old. I can't wait for the next one.

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