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Specifications: - Region 1 - Run time: approx. 104 min. - Subtitles: English, Spanish - Scene selection: Full motion -
Package: Custom paper tri-fold - THX Digitally Mastered
Video Features:
Audio Features: - English: Dolby Digital 5.1 - English: Dolby Surround - French: Dolby Surround
Bonus Materials: - Interviews with Bryan Singer -
Deleted and extended scenes with -
"Mutant Watch" behind-the-scenes - Hugh Jackman screen test - Expansive art gallery - "Animatics" animated storyboards - Theatrical trailers (2) - TV spots (3) - Soundtrack promotional spot - "Easter Eggs" (2) -
THX Optimode: home theater
Theatrical Release: 2000 DVD Release: 11/21/00 Review Date: 11/21/00
List price: $ 29.98 On-line price: $ 18.89 Pre-order price was: $ 16.99
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| X-Men
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Starring:
Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen,
Director: Bryan Singer
MPAA Rating: PG-13 Genre: Fantasy - Action Studio: 20th
Century Fox (Fox Home Entertainment) |
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Movie: B+ Video: A- Audio: A- Extras: B+
Summary:
The X-Men comic book
makes its debut onto the silver screen with
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The Story
"X-Men" is based on the comic book series of the same name. The X-Men are human mutants, each underwent a very advanced genetic evolution which gives each mutant unique special powers. Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) along with his team of dedicated X-Men struggle to maintain peace in support of the co-existence of humans and mutants. At a special senate hearing, a mutant proponent, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), tries to convince Senator Robert Kelly (Bruce Davison) to abandon his legislation for mandatory mutant registration. The Senator gained support for his legislation for mutant registration by striking fear in the senate board by convincing them that each mutant's supernatural power is like a weapon. Professor Xavier and his team are against the legislation as it leads to discrimination against known mutants.
The professor has established a special school as a place to educate young mutants in the hopes that they would eventually apply their supernatural powers for good and protect fellow humans, even though they are ostracized by the same due to their ignorance and fear of the unknown. However, Magneto (Ian McKellen) takes a different approach to humans. He wants to force them, particularly selected members of the world's government, to understand what it is like to be mutants. The story continues with good mutants trying to stop the evil mutants from doing harm to humans.
On the good side with Professor Xavier are Scott a.k.a. Cyclops (James Marsden), Storm (Halle Berry), Logan a.k.a. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), and Maureen a.k.a. Rogue (Anna Paquin). On the evil side with Magneto are Sabretooth (Tyler Mane), the metamorph Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos), and Toad (Ray Park). There's plenty of supernatural power action sequences as the good vs. evil mutant teams go at each other. The visual special effects are dazzling. And this movie begs for a sequel, as the secret of Wolverine's past is repeatedly questioned during the movie, but never revealed.
The interviews with director Bryan Singer is from the "Charlie Rose Show" where he discusses: "Why he made X-Men", "Bringing X-Men from comic book to the big screen", "Directing actors", "Learning from actors", and "The challenges of making a studio film". Very informative.
An optional "Extended Branching Version" allows the six never-before-seen sequences to be viewed as part of the movie. Or you can watch the original theatrical release version, and then watch the deleted scenes separately. While four of the six sequences are deleted, two are really extended scenes.
The 22-minute "Mutant Watch" created for HBO to promote the movie's theatrical release is fresh as it is presented in a news/documentary format. The production makes you feel as though you are in the X-Men fantasy with mutants living among you.
Editor's Note: There has been talk of director Bryan Singer doing another DVD version for "X-Men" according to this article. The movie in this new version would be longer as it features two new scenes. The DVD would feature a number of new bonus material including a dozen outtakes. We suspect that Bryan Singer will do a running audio commentary as well. It's something to think about before you decide to buy this version. However, the latest information available (subsequent to the news article in question) has Bryan Singer stating that there are no immediate plans for this longer DVD version in the near future. When we have more details, we'll post them on our Commentary & Tidbits page.
Video & Audio
The image quality of this anamorphic widescreen DVD is very good. The colors are accurate and saturated, while shadow detail is good. The Dolby Digital 5.1-channel surround sound is well balanced and effective. The dialogue is clear and the engaging musical score engages the audience and intensifies this action-packed movie.
Recommendation
"X-Men" is a cool action movie based on the comic book of the same name. You don't have to read the comic book to enjoy this well-produced movie. Come as you are, humans and mutants alike. While this movie is thoroughly entertaining, it does reinforce how it feels to be discriminated and mistreated. So there's a lesson amidst the awesome action sequences and eye-popping visual special effects. Enjoy!
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Rent
it at NetFlix.com
(Sign up for
NetFlix.com "Unlimited" DVD Rental Service Visit the "X-Men" web site and the Fox Movies web site.
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