X-Men
Director: Bryan Singer
Year Released: 2000
Rating: 1.5
I know a movie shouldn't be praised for its casting, but damn, they really got it good: Ian McKellen as Magneto, Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, and so on down the line (who can forget Rebecca Romijn as the mostly-naked Mystique?). Regrettably, the movie itself seems thoughtless and chintzy, as if they knew it was just an introduction and just wanted to get the ball rolling, leaning heavily on fan favorite Wolverine to growl and spit and use his claws, setting up the final battle at the least creative spot they could think of: The Statue of Liberty. Begins with a whimper and ends with a whimper, but at least its participants look - and act - appropriate for their roles, and try to appear convincing (think of the pay checks, think of the pay checks).
