JOIN THE EVOLUTION.

Considering how many comic book adventures had turned into cinematic disappointments at this time, it was fortunate to see versatile director Bryan Singer take on this Marvel extravaganza.

The story takes place a few years into the future. Professor X (Patrick Stewart) runs a school for gifted young mutants who possess special powers; people fear them but he disagrees with Magneto (Ian McKellen) on how to fight back against those who wish to harm them.

Stewart and McKellen lend gravitas to their characters; Hugh Jackman is also worth a look in his breakthrough as the edgy Wolverine. A surprisingly short thrill-ride, but with plenty of good action sequences.

2000-U.S. 104 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed by Bryan Singer. Screenplay: David Hayter. Comic Book: Stan Lee, Jack Kirby. Cast: Hugh Jackman (Logan/Wolverine), Patrick Stewart (Charles ”Professor X” Xavier), Ian McKellen (Eric ”Magneto” Lensherr), Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Halle Berry, Anna Paquin, Ray Park, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. Cameo: Stan Lee.

Trivia: At an early stage, James Cameron and Kathryn Bigelow were set to adapt the comic book, with Bob Hoskins and Angela Bassett in the leads. Dougray Scott, Russell Crowe and Viggo Mortensen were considered for the part of Wolverine; Charlize Theron as Jean Grey. Followed by two sequels, starting with X2 (2003). The movie also inspired several spin-offs, including X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009), X-Men: First Class (2011) and The New Mutants (2020).

Last word: “I was very obsessed with the Holocaust as a child and man’s inhumanity to man. And, ultimately, it came from my fear of intolerance. In certain places, for whatever reason, just for being Caucasian or having blue eyes, someone might want to cut my head off. For being American, for being anything, for just being myself, someone might want to destroy me. That concept is so terrifying that it constantly bears exploration.” (Singer, BBC)