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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (July 20, 2000)
‘X-Men’ a metaphor for human discrimination ■The summer flick pits humans against mutants in a supernatural struggle for Marvel-ous survival By Rebecca Newell Oregon Daily Emerald They are the next link in the chain of evolution, born with a genetic mutation evident through extraordinary powers. They are - — drumroll please — The X Men! Directed by Bryan Singer — known for smaller films includ ing “Usual Suspects” and “Apt Pupil” — the Twentieth Century Fox film is based on the 1960’s comic strip by Stan Lee, Marvel Comics editor. On account of the comic strip originating in the 60s during the Civil Rights movement, it was no surprise that the “X-Men” movie was a political one, proclaimed by producer Tom DeSanto as “an allegory for prejudice.” And somehow the movie pulls it off — establishing a message about discrimination while mix ing superhuman powers and fan tastic stunts — without trying to get too deep. The plot is centered around the conflict between the X-Men — mutants who have learned to con trol their powers for the greater good of mankind — and a group of evil mutants, fighting each oth er and the world that fears them. The political background in the movie consisted of the govern ment pushing to enforce “mutant registration,” which would label mutants and strip them of the right to attend public schools or lead normal lives. According to the movie’s circumstances, it wouldn’t be a far stretch to re place the label mutant with that of any other group discriminated r against during the history of mankind. The moral message, though im portant in the plot, is as much a backbone to the movie as the ar ray of characters and incredible special effects. Unlike the often unrealistic fighting scenes in many movies, “X-Men” is supposed to be unre alistic because its characters pos sess super powers ranging from Jean Grey’s telekinesis to Storm’s ability to command the weather. Needless to say, those powers make for some pretty great com bat scenes. The casting for the movie was a success in itself. Patrick Stewart from Star Trek plays Professor Charles Xavier, the world’s most powerful mutant telepath and mentor to the X-Men troop. The X-Men troop, of course, contains women, including Halle Berry as Storm, Famke Janssen — from “GoldenEye” and “House on Haunted Hill” — costarring as Jean Grey, and Anna Paquin as Rogue, who won an Academy Award for her role in “The Pi ano.” The men in the X-Men include James Marsden as Cyclops, known for his role in “Disturbing Behavior,” and Australian actor Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in his first major U.S. film role. Ian McKellan stars opposite Stewart as the villain Magneto, the most powerful mutant ever. Magneto’s purpose is to destroy humans, to turn them into mu tants, so they can experience the discrimination and suspicion that he feels mutants are subjected to. Magneto’s backup includes several mutants, most notably su permodel Rebecca Romijn-Sta mos, who plays Mystique, an ag ile blue metamorph who can take on any form. Former pro-wrestler ,, . , . „ , Attila Dory courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) can take on any form and is one of the evil mutants with superhuman powers in ‘X-Men.’ Tyler Mane takes on the role of Sabretooth, providing the brute force and predictably animalistic grunts every action movie needs. While “X-Men” is no “Sixth Sense,” it does the job of enter taining well. And if you’re lucky, you might even leave the theater pondering the message of the movie. But don’t focus on it too hard, or you might miss the great special effects. Featuring: • Washer/dryer in each apartment • Covered bike racks • Private bedrooms and individual leases • Computer lab, copier and fax availability • Electronic alarm system • Ample parking • Superior fitness center & Rec room • Fully equipped kitchen • Heated swimming pool APARTMENTS • No application fee 90 Commons Drive (off Kinsrow Ave.) • starting at S32o http:/www.capstone-dev.com UMVERSITV 55 Student Airfares Europe • Africa • Asia • South America % Eurailpasses • Bus Passes * Study Abroad ■8 student » universe •com IT’S YOUR WORLD. EXPLORE IT. www.StudentUniverse.com 800-272-9676 i I I
