w_brianna

X-men the movie is fantabulous! I urge those hard-core fans of the comics to watch this movie with an open mind and understand that it would be impossible to bring the comic to the movie screen without some changes being made. Having said this, the makers of this movie stayed as close to the comics as they possibly could. It payed off, X-men is one of the best and most enjoyable movies of the year.

When I first heard they were going to make this movie, I thought "what a flop this is going to be, haven't they learned anything after such awful comic-book adaptations as the batman sequels and the flash, etc?". But I was wrong. X-men is different.

The producer/director took such care, and the actors (especially Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Anna Paquin and Hugh Jackman) played their characters with such respect and dignity that the end result is quite satisfying and rewarding, not at all campy, cheesy or just plain stupid (note to the Batman movie franchise: learn form the X-men).

I can't say enough about the casting. The pairing of McKellen and Stewart was an excellent move, and wow what about Hugh Jackman! I've heard about hime before, but am totally amazed by his acting capabilities.

I have a couple of gripes though. The movie is too short! And Halle Berry wasn't that good.

well that's all, I give it 9 out of 10.

I can't believe this got only 7.3 stars. Philadelphia is a very deep, moving and sometimes funny movie. It makes you think about life and where some people's priorities lie. Denzel Washington is superb as the homophobic lawyer who eventually takes up Andrew Beckett's case out of simpathy and his love of the law. Did Denzel get an oscar for this? I'm not sure but he sure deserves one.

Made in 1993, it does seem a little dated now, society today being more accepting of gays/lesbians and more understanding about AIDS (I don't think Andy would be fired, although I can still imagine that lawyer being just as repulsed by his homosexuality) but nevertheless it's very effective and takes the viewer on an emotional ride.

Comments were made about the surprisingly accepting and supportive family that Andrew has. I for one think this is a great touch since too often in movies they give us this cliche of the poor little gay boy kicked out of home by an overly cruel father. In Philadelphia it's the opposite and I thought this was quite original. The fact is that a loving close-knit family is still a loving close-knit family even when a son is gay/has AIDS, there's nothing unbelievable about that.

The only flaw I could find is the lack of background and detail concerning many of the characters, especially Andrew and Miguel, but also the defending lawyers.

I tip my hat to Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington for choosing to be in this movie, these were somewhat risky and controversial (at the time) roles, and they acted and portrayed the characters beautifully.

I don't like court room dramas (I find them boring) but I love Philadelphia because it offers so much more and is so well executed. It's a movie with soul and it oozes quality. I give it 10 out of 10.