X-Men

Ein überraschend exzellenter Science-Fiction-Comic, der nicht nur als Trick- und Actionspaß funktioniert, sondern auch auf der Ebene der Charaktere und der Geschichte. Der Kampf zwischen Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) und Magneto (Ian McKellen) ist wahrlich elektrisierend und sicherlich kein traditioneller Kampf zwischen Gut und Böse in seiner Reinform. Es ist der von seinen KZ-Erfahrungen gezeichnete Magneto, der der ansonsten etwas abgenutzten Handlung Spannung verleiht. Aus seiner Perspektive wird der Konflikt zwischen Mutanten und Menschen als eine mögliche Wiederholung der Ereignisse des Zweiten Weltkriegs gesehen. Natürlich geht er nicht zu tief, sondern hält sich, wie es in Hollywood üblich ist, an Andeutungen von Ethik, aber mehr würden die X-Men auch nicht aushalten. Vor allem dank der hervorragenden Schauspieler und der anständigen Tricks ist dieser Film eine der besten Comicverfilmungen aller Zeiten. Ganz zu schweigen von dem offenen Potenzial für weitere Episoden... (11.09.2004)

So finally, after watching First Class, I filled my gap and checked out the first installment of X-Men. I'm quite pleased with the film, even if it falls well short of the 5th installment in effects and script. Some of the characters are still not as detailed (Storm, Mystique). As sci-fi, of course, it is above average, hence the well-deserved 4 stars. (03.07.2011)

One of those films that I really loved in the cinema back in the day and, even though I’m basically twice as old now, nothing has changed with the years. X-Men is an entertaining comic-book film that clearly doesn’t feel very comfortable in its own clothes (it’s somewhat cautious and insecure), which affects the impression a little, but doesn’t matter because the sequel already reaches the highest rating :-) The X-Men are still a favourite: Wolverine, Cyclops… shit, I forgot about Magneto. So, Magneto, Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm… shit, I forgot about Rogue... Magneto, Wolverine, Cyclops, Rogue, Storm, ... bugger, Professor X :-D (24.09.2009)

Is it six years already? I just can’t bring myself to believe that it’s that long ago that I first sat down in front of HBO and let myself be sucked into the world of mutants. Singer captures the viewer at the very beginning with a flashback to Poland in 1944 where we see a little boy trying to get back to his parents in the Jewish ghetto. An entrancing experience. The gradual meetings with other mutants and getting to know them better demonstrates Singer’s huge talent. The characters are written superbly and the viewer really worries about what happens to them. In terms of the acting, X-Men can’t be faulted. Hugh Jackson appeared as a flash out of nowhere and his Wolverine was perfected acted. The chillingly magnetic Ian McKellen surprisingly assumed the role of the one with the most wisecracks in the movie and Famke Janssen seems more beautiful here than she’s ever been (I fully understand Wolverine ;). Before I gave this a 4, but after careful consideration I changed it. Such sophisticated psychology deserves the highest score. (17.12.2006)

Visually cold and narratively very straightforward with a remarkably short running time considering account how many main characters are introduced. Bryan Singer's direction is clever and skillful, and with this work, he kick-started one of the best comic book sagas. Each of the characters is interesting, attractive, and emotionally appealing, so every viewer should be able to find their favorites. Technically, it is of course fine, although compared to other installments, it is evident that there is a significant increase in resources (filters, enhanced effects). Not only for that reason, the first X-Men film has a pleasantly intimate and minimalist impression and goes in a completely different direction than big blockbusters like Avengers or Batman. (16.12.2012)