The X-Men comic books have spawned a cottage industry of mutant characters, and the movie helps make sense of these legions while offering the established fan base something new to cheer.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 15, 2015

Exciting mainly because anything can happen and does, the movie drags a bit as it approaches a climax set on top of the Statue of Liberty. But once there it revives.

| Jul 15, 2015

This is a film that should satisfy fans of the hugely popular comic book and audiences who can't tell one uncanny X-Man from another. Mutants rule.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 15, 2015

The movie is respectful of its source material without being the least bit self-important. X-Men may have hit the Platonic ideal of comic-book movies, coming across as lightweight, sophisticated, wacky and straightforward all at the same time.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 15, 2015

The script could be a lot snappier, particularly during some virtually unexplained rivalry banter between Marsden and Jackman, but X-Men is a decent start to what will no doubt be an immensely profitable series of negligible but enjoyable summer movies.

| Jul 15, 2015

The most beautiful, strange, and exciting comic-book movie since the original Batman.

Full Review | Apr 15, 2013

X-Men, it must be said, has only a few truly thrilling moments. This is not a picture that tries to blow you out of your seat. But more than any other big movie this summer, it has a consistently inventive vision.

| Jul 6, 2010

Of course, the wide-open ending practically shrieks "sequel," so rest assured this is only the beginning of a new super-franchise. Here's hoping Joel Schumacher doesn't get his hands on it.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 6, 2010

X-Men plays like a so-so middle chapter of an epic series rather than a fitting kickoff.

Full Review | Apr 17, 2007

Apart from the brushed metal production design and pin-sharp camerawork, this offers only moderate excitement.

| Jun 24, 2006

It's a rich, impressive comic-book fantasy.

| May 27, 2006

All these characters with their odd powers are inherently absurd and they throw a barrel of wrenches into the machinery of a coherent narrative.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Apr 25, 2003

A rarity, a comic-book movie with a satisfying cinematic design and protagonists you want to watch.

Full Review | Jan 16, 2003

It's not as good as Superman II and certainly nowhere near as good as the comic book; but it's good enough to raise hopes for the sequel.

| Dec 2, 2002

Surprising subtlety, complexity, and human interest; deserves to be taken seriously.

| Original Score: A- | May 8, 2002

A distinctively absorbing entertainment, offering just enough popcorn thrills for mass audiences and just enough chewiness for hardcore sci-fi fans.

| Aug 8, 2001

It sucks that this choppily edited film appears rushed and incoherent in ways that cheat the story of its human resonance and the stunts of their anticipated pow.

| May 10, 2001

It's snappy, snazzy, witty, non-exclusive and there are some great performances, with newcomer Jackman -- an Aussie stage performer -- the standout.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jan 1, 2000

X-Men crosses its X with a flourish.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000

An engaging popcorn movie in a summer that's littered with duds.

Full Review | Jan 1, 2000