‘X-MEN’ 25 YEARS LATER: WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE SUPERHEROES
Twenty-five years ago (precisely next Monday) we met a group of superheroes known as X-Men. In the year 2000 we met Magneto and Jean Grey, the man who teaches them all, Charles Xavier aka Professor X and of course, there is Wolverine, too. This month all those years ago, the first live-action Marvel film to introduce us to these characters made its mark in theaters and so now we celebrate this X-Men movie 25 years milestone. Because these decades is a mark worth featuring.
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‘X-MEN’ 25 YEARS LATER: WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THE SUPERHEROES. Looking back on favorite things we love about #XMen as it reaches its twenty-fifth anniversary! #HughJackman Share on XThe story follows outcasts Marie and Wolverine as she ends up being his shadow, and together they eventually learn that there are more like them; mutants who are different and exiled from society. But what they do with this exile is what the question is. I’m not sure if I can remember all of the reasons why I enjoyed this film, but I’ll try to remember some of them so that we can all gush over this kind of classic (within the genre) action flick. Let’s discover what we remember.
X-MEN MOVIE ANNIVERSARY 25 years later
THE CHARACTERS and CAST
The characters of this group are so fun. From the fiery Storm (played by Halle Berry) to Logan aka Wolverine (the role Hugh Jackman sort of played again recently), there are lots of good characters here. They are also characters who have so many scars, including Anna Paquin’s Marie aka Rogue. These characters have new faces through the years, which is something that kind of annoys me about Marvel’s more recent movies, but that’s a post for another day, so instead we take this opportunity to mention our favorites here.
Also in this impressive cast is Patrick Stewart, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Ian McKellen and Rebecca Romijn.
HUGH JACKMAN
We have to acknowledge that Jackman seems good in this role. He does period drama and musical, but he can also do superheroes – and he seems to do this well. I’m not sure how he plays the role in conjunction with the comic book, but based solely on likability here, I like him. Sadly, though this is one of the most wounded characters in the franchise, and he breaks our hearts quite a bit.
THE HUMOR
Though this is a story about outcasts and people not “fitting” (which let’s be real, that’s a universally understandable emotion), there is still some good wit and one-liners that make us giggle. x-men movie 25 years later
MARIE aka ROGUE
I find Anna Paquin’s character fascinating. Or my memory of her is so. Looking back at different things I’ve written about X-Men or superheroes, I discovered some thoughts I had about her which is that I find her character interesting because her super power “isolates” her (more than just feeling a loner) from everyone else.
THE TEAM
Going hand in hand with the “Characters and Cast” bullet point, the team effort and group of this film is quite likable. I enjoy how they work together but do find some of the betrayals and shifting loyalties sad. x-men movie 25 years later
Irrespective of this, when they do work together and they are on the good side of a fight, they have greater strength and of course, this also lends to Bryan Singer having the chance to direct a snazzy and cool looking shot. Even in these cinematic times of the past, there is still lots of coolness going on.
All this to say, right or wrong, I admire them when they do work together. I’m also quite sad (as said above) that so many of these films get remakes (when the film being remade wasn’t out that long ago) which then totally recasts these roles. The timelines, even in this X-Men universe are also wonky, but that’s a post for another day, and instead just know that yes, I quite like this film.
Photos: Alamy
Stream, at publication, X-Men with Disney+; or find available to purchase on Prime Video
What do you love about this film or franchise? How will you be celebrating this X-Men movie 25 years later anniversary? Will you read the comic book? Watch the film? Comment everything below!
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