Superhero cinema was forever changed by theX-Menfranchise, which offered the genre a path towards popularity after a series of major failures. Superhero movies were treated with much more animosity in the aftermath ofBatman & Robin, a notorious failure that treated the source material like a joke. WhileBladebecame a breakout hit in 1998, it was aimed at an older, R-Rated audience, and didn’t serve as a four-quadrant blockbuster. While both theX-Mencomics and animated series had been popular in the 1990s, it was the success of the first film fromBryan Singerthat turned the franchise into an international sensation. By capturing the diversity ofStan Lee’s characters and fitting them within a stylized, post-The Matrixaction story, theX-Menfilms created a mold in which future superhero films could succeed. WithoutX-Men, it is unlikely that achievements like the Marvel Cinematic UniverseorChristopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy would exist.
TheX-Menoriginal trilogy occupies a strange place within the franchise, as the series has constantly rebooted itself and spawned spinoffs. AlthoughX-Men: First Classintroduced a young Charlez Xavier (James McAvoy)and Magneto (Michael Fassbeender), the sequelX-Men: Days of Future Pastcrossed over with the original cast for a science fiction time travel adventure. WhileDeadpool & WolverineallowedHugh Jackmanto reprise his role as Wolverine for the first time since his heartbreaking performance inLogan, the film itself ended with a montage that homage the various achievements within 20th Century Fox’s Marvel universe, before it was taken over by the Walt Disney Company. Nonetheless, the future seems open for the original actors, as Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Magneto (Ian McKellen), Beast (Kelsey Grammar), Nightcrawler (Alan Cumming), Cyclops (James Marsden), and Mystique (Rebecca Romijin)will all be facing off withRobert Downey Jr.’s new version of Dr. Victor Von DoominAvengers: Doomsdaynext summer. Apparently, it is a better time than ever before to catch up with the films that initiated this franchise. Here is every movie in the originalX-Mentrilogy, ranked.
3‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ (2006)
Directed by Brett Ratner
X-Men: The Last Standis one of the most disappointing comic book movies of all-time, as it killed all the momentum that had been started by its predecessor. One of the key issues was a behind-the-scenes calamity, as Singer left his role as director to directSuperman Returnsfor Warner Brothers. AfterMatthew Vaughnalso backed out of the gig,Brett Ratnerwas hired to take over; given Ratner’s track record of making lazy, unmemorable studio films, it is not all that surprising thatX-Men: The Last Standturned out to be a complete mess. While the first two films seemed to understand that the mutants were stand-ins for various marginalized groups of the course of human history,X-Men: The Last Standcreated a bloated spectacle, complete with some of the least convincing computer-generated imagery in the history of the series.
X-Men: The Last Standis remembered for its failed attempt to adapt the famous “Dark Phoenix” storyline, which is often cited as one of the best in the history ofX-Mencomics. WhileFamke Janssencan ultimately not be blamed for her performance, the film itself turns Jean Grey into a useless character that makes illogical decisions for the sake of the plot. Evenworse is the treatment of Cyclops; Marsden is a great actor who was never given the opportunity to truly own the role, but the disrespectful treatment of Cyclops inX-Men: The Last Standis truly insulting to both him and the fans. Worst of all,X-Men: The Last Standis quite dull, and does not even rise to the level of “so bad that it’s good;” while evenX-Men: ApocalypseandDark Phoenixcan be appreciated on an ironic level,X-Men: The Last Standis just a miserable experience.
X-Men: The Last Stand
2‘X-Men’ (2000)
Directed by Bryan Singer
X-Menis a radical, gamechaning film that is often not given enough creditfor how itchanged the superhero genre forever. Those concerned that superhero movies could not be taken “seriously” were informed immediately thatX-Menwas a different entity entirely, as the film makes the shocking decision to open with a scene of a young Magneto being separated from his family during the Holocaust. Although it’s impressive how many characters the film was able to introduce over the course of a singular adventure, Singer made the smart decision to focus on the dynamic between Wolverine and Rogue (Anna Paquin) as they are first introduced to Xavier’s school. The bond between these characters would remain the emotional center of the trilogy, with the intellectual difference between Xavier and Magneto serving as the philosophical undercurrent. It also cannot be overstated how important the casting of McKellen and Stewart was; having two respected actors well-versed in the work ofWilliam Shakespearebringing a level of depth to the characters allowedX-Mento grow beyond its audience of core comic book fans by addressing tangible issues about representation and society.
X-Menis a surprisingly clever political thriller, as much of the film rests on the ways in which the mutants are perceived by mankind; while Xavier believes that they can be a force of inspiration that inspire people to be their best selves, Magneto knows firsthand that people will often try to attack things that they don’t understand. Ironically, it is the action scenes in the film that have aged the worst, as the CGI and choreography in the film is fairly antiquated, particularly in comparison to later entries in the saga. While theending battle in New York Cityis quite fun, particularly during Wolverine’s brawl with Mystique, it was very clear that the originalX-Menwas intended to be a set up that would ultimately lead the franchise to bigger and better things down the road. Notably,X-Menwas also among the first credits forKevin Feige, who served as an associate producer because of his knowledge of comic books; this would ultimately lead Feige down the path of creating the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which would incorporate theX-Mencharacters.
1‘X2: X-Men United’ (2003)
X2is one of the best superhero films ever made, and continues to age well when compared to the more modern entries in the genre. While it offers some of the most creative action to ever be crafted using the mutant characters,X2explores the complexity of subjugation, and how rifts can be developed within communities. While Magneto commits various atrocities that some may see as unforgivable, it is impossible to forget that he is himself a victim who sees violence as the only way to save his people from genocide, which is something that he has already witnessed firsthand. While Xavier is often given messianic qualities,X2shows that he is a flawed leader, and that he must learn from his students at the same time as he teaches them. The film also introduced one of the best comic book villains ever with Colonel William Stryker, played ina brilliant performance byBryan Cox;allusions can be drawn to various war criminals over the course of human history, but Stryker also plays an important role in unpacking Wolverine’s tragic backstory. Cumming’s introduction to the film was also critical, as the opening sequence in which Nightcrawler first appears at the White House immediately announced that the sequel would be operating on a larger scale than its predecessor, with stakes that were even higher.
Although it’s remarkable how well the film balances its ensemble,X2is the film that truly showed whyJackman was such perfect casting as Wolverine, as he is able to add a nuance to the role that wasn’t present in the first film. Although Wolverine is an aggressive character that has avoided forging bonds because of the trauma that he endured, Jackman was still able to give a glimpse of his vulnerability during the heartbreaking final moments with Jean, a twist that would remain a core part of his character arc within subsequent films, includingX-Men: Days of Future PastandThe Wolverine. While the intellectual components of the film allowedX2to connect with viewers who may have been less enamored by the comic book genre in general, the film certainly did not skimp when it came to fan-service; Wolverine’s fight with Stryker’s men in the X-Mansion is among the best action sequences in the franchise’s history, and gets to brutal at times that it is a surprise that the film was able to get away with a PG-13 rating. It may be easy to dismiss the originalX-Menfilms as “quaint” when compared to a massive blockbuster likeX-Men: Days of Future Past,a subversive satire likeDeadpool,or an Academy Award nominated drama likeLogan. Nonetheless,X2is remembered not just because of nostalgia, but because it is a truly excellent piece of genre storytelling that still stands as a major achievement for comic book cinema.
X2: X-Men United
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