X-Men Trilogy (Blu-ray)

Humans, as a species, have always been drawn to storytelling. In ancient times we created a world populated by gods and goddesses endowed with amazing, super human abilities. We used these myths to help provide explanations of the mysteries of the natural world that otherwise defied our comprehension. Mythology afforded a socially acceptable to challenge the existing social structure showcasing the problems and foibles that the society faced. Later on as science began replace the use of mythology the human need for stories remained. Science fiction and fantasy would take up the mantle of allowing a means for social commentary disguised as entertainment to flourish. It may not seem readily apparent but many comic books fall into this category. One comic book and graphic novel series that has always succeeded in this has been the ‘X-men series from Marvel Comic. The one thing that always set Marvel super heroes above their competitors over in the ‘DC’ universe was how Marvel humanized their characters. They would have a teenage super hero plagued with zits the night before a big date or another super powerful being unable to find a job. These were more than the usual archetypes; they were characters that the fan could readily relate to and understand. The ‘X-men’ were always one of my favorites as a kid. Even though they had incredible powers do to their mutations the still face the same trials and tribulation we all must overcome. The franchise is still going strong in the movies so recently the first three films were re-released as a trilogy in Blu-ray. Like most fans I already had them in regular DVD but after revisiting them in high definition it was like seeing and hearing them for the first time. The experience was just that good. Fortunately, several extremely popular trilogies have received the same treatment making it very easy and relatively affordable to update your collection.

Writer: Bryan Singer

Director: Bryan Singer

Several themes that would pervade the entire series were initiated in this film. Among the most important are those of alienation and acceptance. There is a very strong analogue to the gay community with story lines that show people, the mutants, being vilified for being born different from the general population. As soon as Rouge (Anna Paquin) manifests her mutant ability of adsorbing the life force of others, she has to leave her comfortable Southern home becoming a runaway. On the road she encounters Logan, better known as Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). This character is brilliantly crafted along the lines of the classic hero. His back story could easily have been part of Joseph Campbell’s definitive work on the subject ‘The Power of Myth.’ Logan can instantly regenerate from any injury and extrude unbreakable metal claws form both hands. He has been alone, isolated by his powers and lack of memory from the rest of humanity. He is on a typical ‘hero’s quest’ seeking some information about himself. One of the strongest themes here is that of the government going far beyond its moral mandate seeking to control, isolate and criminalize a portion of the population. We see a congressional hearing on the need to pass a bill requiring mutants to become federally registered. This is juxtaposed starkly with a flash back to the Nazi régime were a young Magneto (Ian McKellen) watches as his parent hauled off to the death camps. This does go a bit darker than usual for a comic book based movie. One of the villains, Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) is a shape shifter whose natural form is blue with scales. She describes that the other children always made fun of her. Like Logan and Rouge her abilities have isolated from so called normal society. This part of the story depicts the danger of an ‘us against them’ mentality. When society fosters this kind of thinking it creates a potentially violent caste system. The high definition video is crisp and clear. There is vibrancy to the color palette that elevates this edition far above the previous DVD edition. The DTS-HD MA 6.1is extremely well utilized especially with some of the battle sequences. When Cyclops (James Marsden
0 lets loose with his ocular energy beams in the train station you can hear the fine detail of the destruction is outstanding. Another great sequence is when Logan is trying to escape from the school the mental voice of Professor X (Patrick Stewart) roves around the sound stage creating an eerie effect that drives the point home.

X2 (2003)

Writer: Zak Penn

Director: Bryan Singer

A few of the themes presented in the first film are expanded here. One that is exploded in greater detail is the effect an official government policy can have on the social climate of the nation. The President of the United States has sanctioned William Stryker (Brian Cox) who is determined to eradicate all mutants. A large part of this is ultimately revealed to be due to the mutation of his son. He is adept at pitting Magneto against the professor but this backfires when the two factions are forced to unite. Stryker wants to use Professor X’s mental abilities and his super computer to isolate every mutant in the world killing them. Magneto wants to use the inverse the process killing all the humans. This explores the concept of genocide and ethnic cleansing as a solution for zealots. Another theme continued here is the reaction of parents when their child ‘comes out’ as a mutant. There first reaction is basically ‘why can’t you just stop being a mutant. Then there is the use of fear by the government to justify the suspension of civil liberties. When you have mutants that can control your mind or walk through walls there is no security. This argument is forwarded by the government to control the population. Once again there are some spectacular visual and audio effects. Of particular note is the X plane coming in for a landing in the forest and the climatic flood of the region. The full surround feel of the eight channel DTS HD kicks in with s sound envelop that you will use to make your neighbors jealous.

X Men: The Last Stand

Writer: Simon Kinberg

Director: Bryan Singer

The dominate theme here once again is isolation and acceptance. The government discovers a young mutant boy whose ability creates a field that negates the power of any mutant within range. The authorities are quick to turn this into a cure for mutations. The man in charge of the project as a vested personal interest; his own son has a mutation that is almost impossible to hide; huge functioning wings. The young man had such self hatred that when younger he literally tried to cut the wings off. The mutant community reacts by going underground forming a resistance group which is co-opted my Magneto and his Brotherhood of Mutants. The separatists face off against humanity with only the X-men standing to stop them. One of the best effects of the trilogy is made many fold better here when Magneto lifts the Golden Gate Bridge. The sound of the rivets popping and cables snapping enfolds you. As usual the all out battle is a melee that takes on a realism that is staggering. Even if you have these films on DVD it is well worth investing in the upgrade.

Posted 02/13/2010