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20th Century Fox
Storm (Halle Berry) has the power to control weather.

The X-Men cometh with
promise of a special effects
extravaganza, but some
are wary of the hype

By Burl Burlingame
Star-Bulletin

THE "X-Men" were created in the flush of creativity that swept the "bullpen" of Marvel Comics in the early '60s, a period in which superheroes were given all-too-human problems and neuroses. And you know it was the the early '60s because they're not called the "X-Persons."

Now there's a movie about everyones' favorite mutant outcasts. A lot rides on "The X-Men" film, as it's the first to tackle Marvel's bread-and-butter franchise on the big screen.

Oh, sure, there was "Blade," and "Steel," and the TV shows of the "Hulk" and "Spiderman," and I suppose even the "Conan" and "Red Sonja" movies qualify, but this is the big time, courtesy the wizardry of computer-driven effects. Previous efforts, like the tax-write-off "Fantastic Four" in the early '90s, featured effects as cheesy as stretching arms made of Slinkys and balloon "muscles."

20th Century Fox
Wolverine, X-Men leader, possesses amazing healing
powers and retractable, unbreakable claws.

The "X-Men" seemed to disappear for a while, returning in the mid-'70s. Now there seems to be a hundred titles and a thousand characters. The movie, however, has to focus on just a few characters and situations, which requires a bit of explanation to those who aren't X-philes.

The basic premise is that "mutants," humans born with odd powers, are being born in greater numbers. Regular humans are getting wind of this, and fear the mutants. Charles Xavier, a brilliant, wheelchair-bound telepath, believes mutants are a natural progression of evolution and should co-exist with humans. "Prof. X" creates a school where kids with something "extra" can use their forces for good, even though rank-and-file humans would like to have them shipped off to detention camps.

Another mutant genius, Magneto, who can focus magnetic fields, is more pro-active. He believes mutants will succeed mankind, and mutants must survive at any cost. That Magneto is a survivor of a Nazi death camp adds poignancy to his argument.

20th Century Fox
Villainous Toad, played by Ray Park, has an
elongated lingua that can stretch as far as 15 feet.

Think of Prof. X as Martin Luther King and Magneto as Malcolm X and you get the idea. This is a comic book in which the battle lines are drawn in shades of gray.

The situation is clearly defined, but the characters and plot lines are extremely fluid. This dynamic creates an ensemble cast that's equally weighted. That's why so many heroes and villains pass through the comic. Television shows ranging from "Mission: Impossible" to "E.R." to "Law and Order" learned from the "X-Men," but then most comic books are better written than most TV shows.

The movie combines characters from the '60s who have hung in there with later characters from the '70s who were brought in to expand the series' international appeal.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said local comic-book artist Dennis Fujitake. "The choices they're making in the movie -- like getting rid of the cheesy yellow Spandex costumes -- seem to be a good move.

20th Century Fox
Shakespearean actor and former Star Trek
commander Patrick Stewart plays Charles
Xavier, a brilliant, wheelchair-bound telepath
who trains the X-Men in the belief that the
mutants can be a force for good.

"From what I've seen so far, the movie seems to be pretty close to the characters. But there are some of my favorite characters that aren't in it. The Iceman! The Beast -- he was so cool! Maybe in a sequel."

Artist Kevin Sano, a huge X-men fan, is keeping his expectations low-key.

"I just want them to go for it," said Sano. "Full-on computer effects to show what the characters are capable of, even though computer effects never save a movie unless the script and acting are good too.

"I'll go in expecting the worst movie ever, because I know it'll be better than that."

A playlist follows.

The good guys

Prof. X -- The cool-thinking, balding head of the X-men. He's played by Patrick Stewart, a casting choice even more obvious when you realize that Stewart's Capt. Picard character on "Star Trek" was influenced by Prof. X.

Cyclops -- Played by James Marsden, Cyclops has to spend his life with his eyes hidden behind thick ruby-quartz lenses, because his eyes unleash laser-like optic blasts. Cyclops is a bit stiff and correct and Boy Scouty, hemmed in as he is by what he considers his "handicap." A good guy who's not much fun.

Wolverine -- Played by Hugh Jackman, Wolverine is a Canadian with a steel skeleton and the ability to heal quickly. Steel claws can rip out of the backs of his hands -- which causes him severe pain -- and he possesses an animal-like ferocity that he barely keeps in check with swagger and a joking manner. He is by far the most popular X-man, and the movie focuses on him.

"He's my favorite, and he always seems like he could take or leave the X-men," said Sano.

Jean Grey -- Played by Famke Janssen, this character was originally known as Marvel Girl, but she dropped the superhero title because it wasn't PC. (An alien edition was later known as Phoenix.) Grey can move things with her mind. Both Cyclops and Wolverine are sweet on her.

"I always dug the telekinesis thing," says Fujitake.

Storm -- Played by Halle Berry, Storm is an African who can control the weather, at least in her particular neighborhood. Storm and Cyclops jockey for the assistant scoutmaster position under Prof. X.

Rogue -- In one of the real changes from the comic version, Rogue changes from an oversexed and overbuilt young woman to an overwhelmed adolescent played by Anna Paquin. Rogue absorbs powers and memories from anyone she comes into contact with, with sometimes deadly results. This frightening power is a dilemma in the comic book, as sexy Rogue has to avoid sex.

The bad guys

Magneto -- Head of the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, he's played by Shakespearian Ian McKellen. Expect a little "Richard III" groove.

Toad -- Played by Ray Park -- a natural after playing the Headless Horseman and Darth Maul -- Toad is a sideshow freak good at hopping, licking things with his 15-foot tongue and toadying after Magneto.

Sabretooth -- Played by wrestler Tyler Mane. Sabretooth is an ex-government agent with lots of muscles, animal-like senses and speed.

"Whenever he and Wolverine go at it," it's always gruesome," said Sano.

Mystique -- Played by Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, this slippery double- cross expert can assume the form of anyone she comes into contact with. Her true allegiances are a mystery, and she seems to delight in causing as much chaos as possible.

"She's a modern-day villain, and a good one, because she's such a mystery," said Sano.

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