Based on the long-running Marvel comic book series, X-MEN takes place in the near future, as certain humans are evolving into mutants with special powers. In the Canadian wilderness, a young runaway mutant named Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), a bad-tempered, quick-healing mutant with retractable metal claws, are suddenly attacked by the powerful Magneto (Ian McKellen) and his lackeys. Fortunately, Cyclops (James Marsden) and Storm (Halle Berry), students of the compassionate Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), interfere and bring them back to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. Here Wolverine and Rogue learn more about the conflict between Xavier and the militant Magneto, who wants to power a device that will genetically alter humans, with possibly deadly results. Only Xavier's students can stop Magneto's plans.

Director Bryan Singer (THE USUAL SUSPECTS) displays his expertise with an ensemble cast, accomplishing a feat by making the first live-action film about an entire group of superheroes. Hugh Jackman's portrayal of the ill-tempered Wolverine is dead-on, while Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are ideally matched in their Martin Luther King, Jr.- and Malcolm X-like roles. Smart and well-paced, X-MEN towers above most comic book movies.

Hugh Jackman: Actor
Patrick Stewart: British Stage/TV Actor
Ian McKellen: British Actor/Screenwriter
Famke Janssen: Model/actress
James Marsden: Actor, DISTURBING BEHAVIOR
Anna Paquin: Oscar winning Actress, THE PIANO
Halle Berry: Oscar winning actress, MONSTER'S BALL
Rebecca Romijn-Stamos: American model/actress, UGLY BETTY, X-MEN
Bruce Davison: American TV/Film Actor
Tyler Mane: Actor
Ray Park: Actor
Shawn Ashmore: 
Matthew Sharp: Actor

Bryan Singer: American director

Lauren Shuler Donner: Producer
Ralph Winter: Producer - Star Trek films

Joel Simon: Producer
Bill Todman: Producer

David Hayter: Screenwriter, THE SCORPION KING (2002)
Bryan Singer: American director
Tom DeSanto: Screenwriter

Michael Kamen: American Composer/Conductor

Steven Rosenblum: Editor, PEARL HARBOR (2001)

"...The movie is a treat....The set design is a superb combination of opulence and minimalism..."
"...Singer is off to a nice start [in the planned series to follow]..." -- 3 out of 5 stars - A Satisfying Rental
"...The stuff to build a killer following..."
"...Mr. Stewart was born to play [Professor Charles Xavier]....Wolverine [is] well played by Mr. Jackman..."
"...Impressive special effects....It is a pleasure to watch [the] two superb stage-trained British actors [Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen]..."