My first thought after experiencing this movie - ’’Good for them! Even though I know NOTHING about the comics or the cartoon I was able to thoroughly enjoy this one.’’
The plot, in a nutshell:
They are mutants, genetically ’’gifted’’ human beings - the world’s newest and most persecuted minority group. (I think there’s a message about racism here...) Amidst an increasing climate of fear and bigotry Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart, who I love to watch in just about anything) has founded a school and safe haven for these powerful outcasts. Here the students are taught to harness their unique abilities to encourage tolerance and to combat the hysteria that threatens to destroy their kind.
This is the classic GOOD vs. EVIL story. Xavier’s student’s - the X-Men - struggle against hostile government figures as well as Magneto (the Evil element here) and his radical group of mutants who seeks to destroy mankind.
The DVD versions comes with a Fox special on the making of the X-Men movie as well as the computer storyboard - interesting extras.
If you enjoy science fiction, special effects or just a good flick you should check this one out.