Alright folks, I would say you’ve got a better than 50-50 chance of really really really liking the shit out of X-MEN.

Why do I say that?

Well, remember STAR WARS THE PHANTOM MENACE? Now whether you hated the film or loved the film.... you have to agree that film fans were split right up the middle on whether or not they loved the film. And there was very little middle ground.

X-MEN is going to produce some knockdown drag out fights at San Diego Con this year... but you know what...

Personally, and this is only an opinion, but if you are a comic book fan and don’t embrace this film and like it... then frankly I consider ya an asshole. Yup. Straight up, that’s my feelings.

I like the hell out of this film.

At no point is there a stupid ‘OTIS’-like character.

At no point do the character fall into self-parody.

At no point is there inexplicable neon lights and nipples and cod pieces.

At no point does the film embarrass comic fans to the point of shame.

There is no character about whom I feel RUINS the movie.

The only gripes that anyone can legitimately make, in my opinion, is that Michael Kamen’s score is white noise. Meaning Kamen has yet again completely FAILED the film he was brought on to. Last time out was with THE IRON GIANT, who’s only flaw for me was the score... which wasn’t awful... it just isn’t great. Again here... Kamen turns in a non-offensively bland gathering of instruments playing a seemingly tone deaf hum in the background. And with a great score.... Had they had John Ottman or Jerry Goldsmith or Basil Poledouris or James Horner or SHIRLEY WALKER or Danny Elfman or John Williams... well... my really really really liking the movie, would have turned into absolute love.

As it is... love for this film may very well come for me. I get the idea that I’m going to like it even more the second time I see it. Why...

Because the further I get from the film I find myself realizing more and more about the film that I genuinely love.

First off, Hugh Jackman is a god in the film. He is WOLVERINE. I know this now. No matter how much I might’ve wanted Russell Crowe to play the character.... he still would’ve been the bad ass cop from L.A. CONFIDENTIAL cause that’s where he was introduced and I became a fan of his. BUT Hugh Jackman? Who the hell is that? Quick... off the top of your head, what’s your favorite Hugh Jackman movie?

I DON’T KNOW ANY OTHER FILMS BESIDES X-MEN.

Before he had the claws, he has no history... much like his character. And my god, his eyebrows, and the... “I don’t take that type of shit” attitude of his rules. I mean, he downs hard alcohol. He chews on cigars. He says ‘Bub’ and right from the get go he just doesn’t like Cyclops’ face. He can sense his stick up his ass attitude, and he is gonna knock him down a few steps.

Wolverine Rules. Watching him in a levi jacket with a plaid lumberjackish shirt.... rules. His hair... weird but not the caricature that it is in the comic. How to explain this?

Ok... this is the easiest way. You know the animated Harry Heads up in the top left hand corner of the site? That’s me. It’s not exact, but if I were to step into a magical portal and enter the world of comic characters and cartoons... that is EXACTLY what I’d look like.

Same thing here. All of these characters feel to me as though the comic book was adapted from them. Everything is just a bit more fleshed out than in the comic.

This is the Marvel Universe.

I can clearly see the real world I live in. And then I can see that strange, just around the corner, hidden by a grove of trees or just 4 miles off the coast.... place where they live.

This film is our pilot to the Marvel Universe.

In my opinion this is the most accurate adaptation of a comic book to film that I have ever seen. Sure, the costumes are different.... but folks... that is just about it for me.

Alright alright... back to the train of thought...

Rogue... I loved her in this film. Her accent, her fears... she was a new mutant. And it terrified her. Anna Paquin nailed her accent, she’s a young babe... she even has a very comic book heroine figure.... tiny waist... perfect ass and a nice shelving unit. BUT she is sensitive... haunted.... untouchable. I love that. That got me. It would be horrible to be her.

Magneto and Professor X. PERFECT! I mean utterly perfect. Your imagination can not more perfectly rip these characters from the page and into the world of film better. McKellen has a majesty about him, a righteous indignation. He will not be kicked by the mule of intolerance a second time in his life. He already lost his parents to it, friends and neighbors and most of the people in his community. He will not return to that. There is a history between these twos. There was a point where a philosophical difference parted their ways. And it’s here. You can see it between the two.

Cyclops and Jean Grey. While their relationship isn’t fully explored in this 95 minute long movie which isn’t about their relationship.... Their interaction with one another reminds me of a happy couple that knew who the other was. Their couple-dom isn’t in the early kiss kiss hug hug kiss kiss... “Oh lovey dove” stage. They have settled on one another.

As for the triangle between Wolverine, Cyclops and Jean Grey? I love the way this has been economized down. Wolverine is the first guy on campus that isn’t much younger than Cyclops.... I see no Beast or Angel around.... so Cyke was it. Then here comes this guy... he’s charming, hurt and cool. He’s attracted to her. He’s new and interesting. She loves Scott, but.... there’s a connection here that’s different... risky... dangerous... not so dependable.

WHere do I get all that from.... well, JUST LOOK AT THEM. Look how she’s looking at him, how she looks at Scott.... How Scott reacts when she’s in perceived danger.

Toad and Mystique.... fucking A. Mystique rules the world. I love her, it is inevitable that she will become absolutely worshipped by lifeless fanboys.... like myself. She’s a babe, she’s a badass, she does kung fu like the chick from MATRIX, but naked. She fights toe to toe with Wolverine.... Ya gotsta love her. Toad... well, there isn’t much here, but Ray Park does what he does and it’s cool. His tongue-fu moves remind me of the big wet rag kung fu in films like IRON MONKEY.

Sabertooth... I just never cared for him much in the comics, so I have very little to comment on about him. I always considered him a wannabe opponent for Wolverine that wasn’t nearly as cool, interesting or intense. And that holds up here. He’s Oddjob. He’s Jaws (think Bond, not water).

Halle Berry and Storm. I have no problems with her. She is simply just not that big of a character in this film. All she has to do is be classy, have her eyes glow, her hair blow in the wind and call down lightening. She does that well. Her hair looks fake, but that’s just going to happen when you place pure white straight hair on a black lady. I mean... I’ve been around for awhile. I’ve never seen that before... I just chock it up to MUTANT HAIR.

Senator... he’s an asshole, I buy that. No problems.

The sets looked right. Production design... again.. cool.

My favorite couple of tiny moments.

Cyclops is at the train station... he’s wearing his visor instead of his sunglasses because.... he can’t control a blast with the glasses, and this is a mission.. not a casual stroll. But this kid looks up at him, and we go to the kid’s perspective and we see Cyclops looking down at us.... Trying to be incognito, but caught by this kid.... he smiles... the mother sees him... and drags her kid away. Is it ground breaking? No... but it’s a nice moment that I like.

The next one has to do with the teleporting or superspeed kid that passes the basketball to himself as he works down the court and scores.... off camera we hear one of the kids whine, “Hey no fair, we said no powers!” I love that. Absolutely love that.

Folks... I now pray that it’s successful. Sure, this isn’t that pie in the sky perfect comic book movie.... It couldn’t be. The film was rushed into production, under-financed, and then lost 6 months due to IDIOTS movie the film from Christmas to summer. Sigh.

BUT there is nothing really dreadfully wrong here.

AND... Most importantly... THEY ARE COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY FAITHFUL TO THE SPIRIT OF THE BOOK AND THE CHARACTERS.

This isn’t campy.

I actually prefer this film to the original BATMAN, but that’s because I HATE Jack Nicholson as the Joker as soon as Prince begins scoring everything, and Bruce’s fumbling back and forth with Vicki... It felt... BAD.

I prefer this film to SPAWN, which should have been great, but the director of that film.... just didn’t pull it off... the CGI Hell and Malebolgia blew like few things have blown.

I prefer this film to SUPERMAN, because Hackman completely fucked up Luthor, Ms Tessmaucher and Otis should be shot dead. “Can You Read My Mind” and “Otis’ Theme” bring actual physical pain to me when I hear them. And I have to leave the room when the night time flight with Lois takes place. BUT... as good as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine is.... Christopher Reeve IS SUPERMAN, and I will always prefer the character of SUPERMAN to Wolverine.

I like this film a lot more than I did BLADE.

Folks.... walk in expecting me to be talking out my ass.... go in expecting the greatest disappointment in your life.... but know inside... that I say... this movie rules.

NOW... FOX.... For the next one... SENTINELS, $135 million dollar budget please. In this case... bigger is better.

Enjoy the film. Remember... it’s a comic book.

CLICK HERE TO READ HARRY'S ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS UPON THE FILM!!!!