That rare beast, the intelligent commercial movie, makes a welcome
return in X-Men. Stewart and McKellan are terrific as opposing leaders
Professor X and the evil Magneto, but Jackman growls his way to top
honours as the prickly, wise-cracking Wolverine. Director Bryan
Singer manages to make a tight, no-nonsense narrative brimming with
characters and visual exposition flow smoothly, its momentum
carrying us along with verve and aplomb. The central theme of prejudice
is universal and the film superbly replicates the feel of the comics,
bridging that elusive fanboy / everyday-moviegoer schism. In an age of
dumb action movies, X-Men sparkles.
