X-Men (2000)
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In a world where mutants possess superhuman powers, two groups with opposing ideologies clash over the fate of their kind.
The story
In a world where an unknown proportion of people are mutants possessing superhuman powers, the existence of these individuals leads to significant social tension. The story follows mutants Wolverine and Rogue as they are caught in a growing conflict between two opposing factions. On one side is Charles Xavier's X-Men, who seek peaceful coexistence for their kind. On the other is the Brotherhood of Mutants, led by the powerful Magneto, who advocates for a more radical approach to mutant rights. As a government proposal to register mutants gains momentum, the fate of both humans and mutants hangs in the balance.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1944, Erik Lehnsherr gains magnetic powers in a concentration camp. In the present day, Senator Robert Kelly proposes a 'Mutant Registration Act.' Charles Xavier, a telepathic mutant, worries about how Lehnsherr, now known as Magneto, will react. In Mississippi, Marie (Rogue) accidentally drains the life force of her boyfriend and flees to Alberta, where she meets Logan (Wolverine), a mutant with healing abilities and metal claws. They are attacked by Sabretooth but rescued by Cyclops and Storm, and taken to Xavier's school. Meanwhile, Magneto's Brotherhood abducts Senator Kelly to test a machine that can induce mutations in humans. Rogue, seeking a sense of belonging, is manipulated by Mystique into believing Xavier is angry with her. During a confrontation at a train station, Magneto captures Rogue, intending to use her to power his machine. The X-Men eventually discover Magneto's plan to use the machine on Liberty Island to force world leaders to accept mutants. During a final battle at the Statue of Liberty, Logan confronts Magneto while the others fight the Brotherhood. Logan manages to destroy the machine and transfer his healing powers to Rogue, putting himself into a coma. After both Xavier and Logan recover, they find Mystique impersonating the Senator. Xavier and Logan eventually confront Magneto in his prison, where he vows to continue the fight for mutant rights.
- First release year
- 2000
- Runtime (minutes)
- 104
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bryan Singer
- Writers
- David Hayter · screenplay; Tom DeSanto · story; Bryan Singer · story
- Cast and characters
- Patrick Stewart · Professor Charles Xavier; Hugh Jackman · Logan / Wolverine; Ian McKellen · Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto; Halle Berry · Ororo Munroe / Storm; Famke Janssen · Jean Grey; James Marsden · Scott Summers / Cyclops; Bruce Davison · Senator Robert Kelly; Rebecca Romijn-Stamos · Mystique; Ray Park · Toad; Anna Paquin · Marie D'Ancanto / Rogue
- Genres
- superhero; action; science fiction
- Themes
- prejudice; alienation; social and political issues
- Setting
- A modern-day United States featuring locations such as New York City, Mississippi, and Canada, with a historical backstory in 1944 Poland.
- Premise and plot tags
- superhero; mutant; origin story; ensemble cast
- Source material / true-story basis
- Marvel Comics
- Franchise connections
- X-Men
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics and was a box office success, becoming the ninth-highest-grossing film of 2000 worldwide.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 64 · scale: 100 · review count: 33
- Awards and nominations
- Hugo Award · Best Dramatic Presentation · lost; Saturn Awards · Best Science Fiction Film · 27th · won; Saturn Awards · Director · 27th · won; Saturn Awards · Actor · 27th · won; Saturn Awards · Supporting Actress · 27th · won; Saturn Awards · Writing · 27th · won; Saturn Awards · Best Supporting Actor · 27th · nominated; Saturn Awards · Performance by a Younger Actor · 27th · nominated; Saturn Awards · Special Effects · 27th · nominated; Saturn Awards · Make-up · 27th · nominated; Empire Award · Best Director · won
- Production trivia
- Hugh Jackman was a last-second choice for the role of Wolverine, cast only three weeks into filming.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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