A look at the X-MEN script

Here ya go. Just read this script the other day, and I know a whole bunch of you people are running over with anxiety about the project, so let me do a bit of a review for ya.

General impression. They are on the right track, but there are problems. I read the Christopher McQuarrie draft. Though it is my understanding that he's doing another pass on it as you read this. So this isn't the final draft, changes are already in the works.

The characters are as follows. Good Guys: Professor X, Rogue, Beast (blue and furry), Cyclops, Jean Grey, Storm and Wolverine. Bad Guys: Magneto, Mystique, Pyro, Blob, Toad and Sabretooth. The School and the Danger Room figure prominently into things. There are other 'gifted' students seen in the background, but not as a part of the 'team'. So you do get the idea that this is not a static enviroment. None of these other students are really focused on.

The film spans a few years. From Nazi Germany to today. They do show three characters first manifestations of their X-abilities, and how traumatic that was for each of them.

The storyline? Well, I can't really go completely into that, as it was a condition of getting the script to not completely plot spoil. Hey, it happens. But I can go into it a bit. It involves the first time Wolverine comes in contact with the X-Men. The world is aware of Mutants, and the setting is very much at the beginnings of Mutant hysteria, as Congress is in the process of Mutant registration.

Why is Magneto and (well technically they are never called the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, I agree with this, cause Magneto really doesn't think of himself as evil. He sees himself as being a civil rights advocate that is proactive instead of reactive to problems.) his crew causing trouble with the X-Men? Well, they need Wolverine. I can't go into why though. It's just that Logan chap is needed.

How are the characters portrayed? Well, this is where I feel it has a little problems. Of course the characters are really going to be defined by who they place in the roles, but as written, I'll try to describe them.

Rogue - Note frigging perfect. She is a girl, a beautiful girl, that can't allow herself the comfort of human touch. She can't kiss another's lips, she can't hold a hand or get a hug. She lonely. She craves feeling. I love her character as written. Powers wise, everything is as we know it. So cool. Nothing needed for this character.

Beast - Well, for my taste, I prefer the dialogue that Stan Lee wrote for this character. The elegant and lyrical nature of the character. The $10 dollar words, etc. Well... That's not here. Unfortunately he's not here. The character isn't bad, but with a little tweaking he's real close. It would be cool if we saw Hank, upside down in a room reading a book with reading glasses on. That's my Hank McCoy. Not a major problem though.

Storm - She's dead on. You know what she's like.

Cyclops - As written, he feels like a bit of an asshole. I never got that. However, his character does have an absolutely beautiful scene where he explains his jealosy of Logan to Jean. It's perfect. To me, this guy should just be Mr Perfect, that has the best grip on his powers, that knows what to do, that coordinates in attack situations. And overall the character is accurate, he is given a flaw, which is of course part of his character from the beginning. Which is, his inability to take off his visor and look into someone's eyes. His fear of hurting someone. It's very well handled. Tone down his jealosy a tad and he's perfect.

Jean Grey - Dead on.

Professor X - PERFECT. HE is the MAN!!! Make it so. Patrick Stewart would breathe perfect life here.

Logan / Wolverine - Here's the problem. He's a bit of a wuss it feels. He never says, "Bub" He ain't a cigar chomper. He's... well not quite Wolverine. Of course this is when he first got to the X-Men, and he is fairly injured at this point, as Sabretooth had knocked the shit out of him. But his character should be a bit more Duke Mantee than he is. Take a look at Lee Marvin in POINT BLANK... yeah... there ya go. This guy should just reek coolness and toughness. He should really just give a shit about anyone but himself. He's number one. It's not so off as to be HORRIBLE, but it is a measurable distance from being perfect.

Magneto - Perfect. They nailed him dead to rights.

Sabretooth - Nailed perfect. Not for one second is he wrong.

Toad - dead on

Mystique - Right on. Her past relationship to Rogue is acknowledged. She is perfectly handled, and is referred to as being the right colors and look.

Pyro - Perfect.

Blob - well, he's underwritten.

Alright, so how are the battles? Well, to tell the truth I have no idea. They were not written. It's literally "Insert Battle Here" The script is a draft or two away in my opinion. And I am very happy to hear that McQuarrie is still at work on it. It's not too far off. Hopefully this script will be in tip top shape by start time next year, and we'll be treated to a great frigging movie from Bryan Singer. The film can be great. The characters are treated as people that don't fit in with society. I can't wait to see it get made. As most of you people probably don't know, APT PUPIL is going to run some of you over. We'll be seeing some people labelling it as the best film of the year, and I can see that. It's a damn good film. I wouldn't pick it that high, but I could see some people doing it. That combined with his work on THE USUAL SUSPECTS makes this film something to get behind.

This could be soooooooo cool.