Every time!!! We're supposed to be a team!
3
By windycityzenkane
I must admit that I was only mildly interested in the animated series when it was on in the 90s. And I cannot pretend to know much about X-Men, the comics or the show in its entirety. Still, I have to say that X-MEN the movie does not do what a superhero flick should do. Certainly not what the X-Men themselves would have it do.
First and foremost, I was disappointed in the reduction of team member Rogue (played here by Anna Paquin) to a tragic sweetheart and a damsel in constant distress. Again, I do not know know much about her, but taking a hint from the 90s series and the 2000s animated series, X-Men: Evolution, I can say that Rogue was originally spunky and quirky and ready for action. And of course gifted and cursed with tremendous power, not to mention some demons to be conquered. While I understand Rogue's fear of her destructive abilities, I can't commend her for running away and not trusting her new friends.
Secondly, there is team member Wolverine...or should I say Logan (Hugh Jackman)? By now, he is reduced to a tragic character too. And he is overprioritized compared to the rest of the team. In the series, Wolverine seemed to be the leader, if not the second in command of the mutant team. Determined and very masculine. In the movie, he doesn't seem to even act like he is part of the team. And can somebody please tell me why Wolverine makes eyes at Jean Grey (Famke Jannsen)? I know I missed a lot in the 90s, but did I miss something?
Finally, there is...well, everyone else. Cyclops (James Marsden), Storm (Halle Berry), Jean Grey, and Beast (Kelsey Grammer)--who doesn't show up until the sequel. Everybody else seems to be upstaged by the tragic figures. Shows you how overrated tragedy really is!
The only shine of light is the rivalry between Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto, played respectively by the two most brilliant acting minds anywhere: Sir Patrick Stewart and Sir Ian McKellen. Now Magneto, formerly Erik, had seen humankind at its worst and has lost all hope and faith in it. Professor X, on the other hand, somehow has clung to hope, believing there is still good in man. The rivalry between X and Magneto represents the timeless, ongoing battle between hope and fear, love and hate. McKellen and Stewart give their creative all to project that battle and bring it to life.
Now if only the writers, or the director, or whomever, could have put that ahead of the genocidal human agenda to wipe out all the mutants. It seems to me like our heroes spend more time fighting for the right to fight for humanity than they do actually fighting for humanity. This is what's wrong with motion picture superheroes. Once upon a time, they fought for their ideals and the people they cared about, IN SPITE OF WHAT PEOPLE THINK! AND...they just happened to have gone through hell and came out stronger. Now, they just waste their energy wishing they could turn back the clock and do their whole lives over. They are only heroes because of the past tragedies themselves, NOT their endurance of them. If the heroes are their own judges and jurors, then what are the villains doing there? I think from now on, I brush up on the 90s animated series, or the comics if I get the chance before viewing this one again. Or I'll just sit through the movie and pretend I am Roger Ebert. Take your pick.
