Daniel Cann

Most of us in our wildest dreams would admit to wanting to possess superhuman powers or a special unique gift. You might think these powers would make you popular, but what if they actually made you feared or even reviled? That is the central twist to this. It does the superhero story well but with an added and perhaps more realistic slant, to have powers does not mean you are celebrated and lauded by your peers but in fact makes you an outcast. Such is the circumstances that Logan finds himself, wandering the snows of remotest Canada. He eventually finds himself as part of a side - show fighting in a cage for the amusement of spectators, his is a lonely isolated existence. He does not understand why he is like he is and he receives no sympathy or understanding from anyone. Angry, full of resentment and seemingly alone in an uncaring world he is eventually joined with Marie. After being attacked by a mutant called Sabretooth and rescued by Storm and Cyclops they eventually discover more about themselves and find they are not alone.

There are in fact many ‘mutants’ in the world, people who upon puberty discover they have these individual powers. Logan a.k.a. Wolverine has titanium claws that appear when he is angry or distressed, Marie a.k.a. Rogue has the gift to involuntarily absorb the memories, physical strength and, in the case of super-powered persons, abilities of anyone she touches. Ororo Monroe a.k.a. Storm can control the weather; Scott Summers a.k.a. Cyclops can produce ‘optic blasts’ from his eyes. The point being is that they are ‘born’ like this and therefore have no choice as opposed to other comic book heroes who make a conscious decision to become a vigilante. Again, this makes the whole premise of X – Men interesting as we have reluctant heroes and more ambiguity. It explores not just the idea of having super powers but also the concepts of prejudice and discrimination.

We are introduced to Professor Charles Xavier who despite being restricted to a wheelchair has powerful telepathic abilities and Magneto who grew up in a concentration camp in war – torn 1940s Europe. As we move into the present day we learn that the two are now charismatic leaders on opposing sides. Professor Xavier is a pro – human mutant and wishes to promote greater trust and understanding so that both are able to coexist peacefully. He has set up an academy, a sort of refuge/military academy for mutants, X Mansion that is nick – named ‘Mutant High’ by its members. It is here that he attempts to train its members to use their abilities responsibly. If Xavier is the Martin Luther King style figure then Magneto is the flip side, an earlier angry version of Malcolm X who advocates segregation and all out war against humanity.

With these sides polarised we have a straightforward Good versus Evil scenario but the film craftily avoids the pitfall of being just another cliché – ridden action superhero adventure. Instead it delves into what it must be like to be an outcast in society, it portrays the world as a largely unsympathetic place, which is prone to mistrust, paranoia and hysteria. The mutants at the academy bicker and squabble like anyone else and the viewer can understand in this sort of background why mutants would rally to opposing sides.

Senator Robert Kelly wishes to pass the ‘Mutant Registration Act’, which would force all mutants to reveal themselves and their abilities. Dr Jean Grey is an opponent of the act and a supporter of greater understanding and compassion towards the mutants. It is clear then that humankind is just as divided as the mutants. It is this moral uncertainty and ambiguity that drives the plot and keeps things interesting. The film never descends to parody, or tongue – in – cheek humour. There are good characterisations and sincere playing. The villains Magneto, Sabretooth, Mystique and Toad are worthy rivals to Professor Xavier’s team and the climactic showdown on the Statue of Liberty is a feast of action and well – developed CGI. Both children and adults will enjoy the film and unlike other offerings of its kind it offers a powerful contemporary message about morality, acceptance and coexistence. It has obviously been made with a franchise in mind and it does this nicely without weighing itself down with too much exposition. This should satisfy its comic fan base as well as the public at large.

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