MUTATIS MUTANDIS
THE X-MEN
Directed by Bryan Singer
Screenplay by David Hayter, based on the Marvel Comics characters
With Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart
UA South PG-13 100 min
It's the not-too-distant future, and mutants (the kind with superpowers) are beginning to make their presence felt in our society. Society is not pleased - you know how it gets about accepting people who are different. As Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison), the leader of the anti-mutant putsch, thunders in Congress, "Would you want them teaching your children?"
The allusion to gay rights is clear, but it's tricky metaphorical ground. Kelly is a McCarthyesque bad guy, but when he rants about the dangers these mutants pose, he's onto something - there are good mutants and bad mutants, but even the good ones are capable of some pretty horrendous destruction. And as for the bad ones, well, you don't want to know.
Still, this is rousing, crisply done stuff for a summer action blockbuster. It boasts a top director (Bryan Singer, The Usual Suspects), and a fine cast led by intense newcomer Hugh Jackman (Wolverine, who seems less a mutant than a victim of fiendish science) along with British veterans Patrick Stewart (Dr. Xavier, leader of the can't-we-get-along mutants) and Ian McKellan (Magneto, dark prince of the disaffected branch, who has good reason to distrust the essential decency of humankind.) The Xs, by the way, include women - they're really X-People. The movie has style, and emphasizes character as well as special effects, which makes a nice balance. Ultimately it turns out to have nowhere to go, and halfheartedly mutates into the final credits. But of course it does have someplace to go: a promising future of mutant sequels.
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