As we are on the dawn of the release of Days Of Future Past, and given that i recently rewatched the original X-Men, i had some thoughts about the X-Men series, which is, to my eyes, one of the most complete, and detailed superhero franchises. The series has mainly been helmed by Bryan Singer, who has directed 3 of the 5 films of the series so far, and who is due to direct a fourth.
The series, which is based upon a series of marvel comic books, originally created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, follows a band of superheroes, as they attempt to fight evil, and live together. These superheroes are mutants, their powers derive from a mutated gene, the series follow the leader of this group, Charles Xavier, and a select band of mutants, as they battle to save humanity. The main mutants featured in the film series are Wolverine, a mutant with adamantium bound to his bones who has the ability to heal and doesn't age, Storm, and african goddess with the ability to control the weather, Cyclops, a mutant whose eyes give out laser beams, and Pheonix, an incredibly powerful mutant whose true power is only seen in the third film. Also featured are Rogue, who absorbs other mutants powers through her skin, Shadowcat, who can phase through walls and Beast, an incredibly agile mutant with blue furry skin. The X-Men spend much of this series fighting the brotherhood of evil mutants, a group led by Magneto, who is able to control metal, and his right hand woman, a shapeshifter named Mystique.
What makes this franchise so successful is it's ability to handle such a large ensemble cast, the original film is a particularly good example of this. Spider-Man took over an hour of screen time to explain who Peter Parker is and how he became Spider-Man, X-Men has dozens of characters, each with personal stories and powers, and yet it introduces them in half the time. Days of Future Past has an even bigger cast, combining the characters from the prequel series and the original trilogy,
The film series success is also based upon it's real world relevance, the film is essentially an allegory for the oppression and malignation of any minority, particularly in this case, the gay community. The characters of Charles Xavier and Magneto are essentially representatives of Martin Luther King and Malcom X, they both want the same goal, but they attempt to achieve it by different methods, Magneto is more militant and violent, and believes that mutants should be the dominant race, Charles is more peaceful and believes in the good in people. The film's franchise being largely helmed by Bryan Singer is perhaps responsible for the strong LGBT undertones of the series, the scenes of mutants powers evolving and their telling their parents strongly mirror LGBT youths coming out to their parents, and Senator Kelley asking congress if they "want mutants in their high schools" mirror what right wing politicians have been saying for years.
Overall the X-Men franchise succeeds due to it's ability to balance its large ensemble cast, and its willingness to explore conemporary social issues, exploring sexuality, race and minority subcultures, the X-Men franchise is by far the most exciting, well defined and surprisingly even franchise.
Raven: Hank,
don't! You're beautiful, Hank. Everything you are, you're perfect. Look
at all of us? Look at all we've achieved this week? All we will
achieve? We are different. But we shouldn't be trying to fit into
society. Society should aspire to be more like us. Mutant and proud.
