X-Men is a cracking movie version of the popular Marvel comic about a group of mutants with special talents brought together by Professor Xavier (Stewart).
He runs a school that’s a safe haven for kids and adults with extraordinary powers, which is perhaps a good thing as Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison) wants to persecute them, believing they should all be registered rather than allowed to live incognito in regular society. Unfortunately, another mutant, Magneto (Ian McKellen), wants to take matters into his own hands by taking over the world, so the good guys – Wolverine (Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), Cyclops (James Marsden), Dr Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and young Rogue (Anna Paquin) – have to try and stop him.
The effects are terrific – especially Wolverine’s painful razorlike claws – and the cast impressive (McKellen and Stewart are perfect as the former friends who have become adversaries, while Paquin gives the movie heart as the girl whose touch can send the recipient into a coma), so you almost don’t notice the slim plot. A terrific adventure for teens and grown-ups.
Is X-Men suitable for kids? Here are our parents’ notes...
This is aimed for children over 12. There are quite a few violent bits and scary scenes (Wolverine’s memory flashbacks, the deaths of various characters) that would upset or scare younger children but nothing that should frighten teenagers.
If you like this, why not try: X2: X-Men 2, X-Men: The Last Stand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, Spider-Man, Iron Man,