Back in 1992 Marvel went head-to-head with DC's 'Batman: The Animated Series' with 'X-Men: The Animated series'. So massively popular was it that no other X-Men animated spin-off has been able to top it since (gotta love that intro!). Then at the beginning of the Millennium we got a live action film.
After 'Blade's' very successful box office back in 1998 (I'm going to ignore anyone who says that 'Black Panther' was the first black superhero film for Marvel) next in line to save Marvel from bankruptcy was 'X-Men'.
When it was released 'X-Men' did just that; save Marvel from bankruptcy. Everyone enjoyed it and as a result it spawned a slight spin-off animated series 'X-Men: Evolution' which was liked but it was not as popular as its 1992 counterpart.
The story starts off on a controversial topic; the Nazi concentration camps in World War 2. Of course, this is where we meet the young Magneto who has the power to control metal (and a personal favourite X-men villain of mine). After being separated from his parents he ends up magnetically bending the gates that are between them. That is until the young Magneto is knocked out by a group of guards.
A few decades later and we're taken to the southern states where we meet Rogue (Anna Paquin) who is with her boyfriend at her house. They're talking about what they're planning on doing after they finish collage. It is at this moment that they decide to kiss...and Rogue's mutant powers accidentally reveal themselves; she can absorb other people's life force (or take away another mutant's power if in contact with another mutant) if she touches someone.
Understandably freaked out by her boyfriend's sudden collapse, Rogue runs away.
Meanwhile a meeting is taking place at the US Summit; the infamous 'Mutant Registration Act'. If successful, this act will force mutants to register who they are and what their powers are. Speaking for mutants is Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) as she argues their case against Senator Robert Kelly.
In the audience is Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) watching her. As he watches, Xavier looks over to the other side of the audience chamber; a figure in shadow is also watching him too.
Down below though, things are heating up; "What is it that the mutant community has to hide that makes them so afraid to show themselves?" Kelly asks. He then reveals that he already has a list of suspected mutants. That's when Jean looks up at Xavier; she knows that they've lost the debate.
The figure in the shadows leaves but it isn't before long before Xavier manages to catch up with him. The man turns out to be Magneto (Ian McKellen). He is clearly not happy with how things have gone. "Don't get in my way!" Magneto warns his former friend. "We're the future Charles not them; they no longer matter!" he says, storming off as he does so.
Upon its release ‘X-Men’ was a massive hit and it became the second film to save Marvel comics financially. It also launched Hugh Jackman’s career because of his very popular portrayal as Wolverine despite controversiality over his casting; Hugh was a foot taller than the five foot tall X-Man.
It was also the film that properly introduced me to Marvel after the first ‘Fantastic Four’ film back in 2005 (I didn’t watch X-Men until a couple of years after the F4…and I’m going to pretend that the 2015 version of the F4 doesn’t exist). I must say that I really enjoyed it and most of the other X-Men films that have been out since (other than ‘New Mutants’).
Over all a great first outing for Marvel’s mutants. Disney, you’ve got a very tough act to follow! Actually, scratch that; I don’t trust Disney with the X-Men at all!
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