Bryan Singer, the man behind “The Usual Suspects,” directed this character-heavy film that has a huge backstory and a huge cast of supporting players. Well, he knows how to handle it. Just like he did in “Suspects,” he juggles a strange story around many strange individuals and one big myth, and comes up with gold. By focusing on the relationship between the amazingly believable Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) and scared, insecure Anna Paquin (Rogue), he makes them and many of the other crusaders more real than any other superhero movie has. This takes place in “the not too distant future” in our reality. There is a flashback to a Nazi concentration camp. There are greedy politicians, there are recognizable landmarks. The people with superpowers in this movie don’t necessarily want them. They are not heroes, but “mutants.” All these touches help the audience take “X-Men” very seriously. Having Shakespearean actors Ian McKellan and Patrick Stewart in the main parts doesn’t hurt, either. Like any good fantasy, it envelops you and intrigues you. And there will be plenty of sequels to learn more about the others, I hope.
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Eric is the Editor-in-Chief of Scene-Stealers.com, a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic, and contributor for The Pitch. He’s former President of the KCFCC, and drummer for The Dead Girls, Ultimate Fakebook, and Truck Stop Love . He is also the 2013 Air Guitar World Champion Mean Melin, ranked 4th best of all-time. Eric goes to 11. Follow him at:
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