The Best Movie X-Men

Since the first X-Men movie debuted in 2000 the franchise has continued to grow and grow just as it did in television and the comic books themselves. Now, three movies and one spinoff into the series, the X-Men franchise has two movies coming down the pipes for the immediate future in X-Men: First Class and Wolverine 2, as well as countless others in various stages of development.

With so much X-Action in the works, now seems to be the best time to look back and see what X-Men characters were best translated onto the silver screen.

10. Wade Wilson
Actor: Ryan Reynolds
Movie: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

X-Men Origins: Wolverine had a lot of problems. One of the biggest (SPOILER ALERT) was how fan favorite Deadpool was altered for the climactic battle. Luckily for most fans of the Merc with a Mouth, earlier in the movie fans caught a brief glimpse of just how great Deadpool could be.

As the pre-disfigured Wade Wilson, Ryan Reynolds stole the show with his limited screen time, spouting endless one liners. For most it was the way Deadpool is expected to be. The end of the movie certainly soured fans on the prospect of Deadpool, but the early portions showed what promise there is in letting Ryan Reynolds let loose for a feature length Deadpool solo film.

9. Cyclops
Actor: James Marsden
Movies: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

There has been a lot of criticism over how Cyclops, the undisputed leader of the X-Men, was handled over the course of the film series. The character certainly could have used more screen time to explore his well documented personal issues, but there was really no need.

In the movies Cyclops was shown exactly how he should be: deeply in love with Jean Grey and the right hand man of Professor Charles Xavier. When in battle Cyclops was still the leader of the X-Men, and the portions where Cyclops could not lead allowed the other characters to grow exponentially as they tried to fill his shoes. There was definitely a lot more they could have done with Cyclops, but they also got a lot right.

8. Jean Grey
Actress: Famke Janssen
Movies: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Most of the past 30 years of comics have, in some way, revolved around Jean Grey. Be it her role as the main divider between Wolverine and Cyclops, or her role as uber-powerful super being Phoenix, Jean Grey always seems to find her way into comic book relevance.

For the movies she obviously had to be toned down somewhat, but the necessities were there. Jean Grey caused the initial rift between Cyclops and Wolverine, and her growing power was a major storyline in two of the three movies. X-Men: The Last Stand took full advantage of Jean's doomed fate, allowing her to become the most powerful being in the universe if only for a few hours.

7. William Stryker
Actor: Brian Cox
Movies: X2: X-Men United (2003)

Usually making radical changes to comic book characters for movies ruins a character. In the case of William Stryker, it took a relatively little known character and changed it into one of the X-Men's pre-eminent enemies.

A lot of the praise belongs to Brian Cox, who brought a fantastic menace into his performance. William Stryker was a man on a mission, dead set on eliminating mutants at any cost. As a teaser, a connection between Stryker and Wolverine was manufactured for the film universe that eventually panned out in X-Men Origins: Wolverine.

6. Victor Creed
Actor: Liev Schreiber
Movies: X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Victor Creed, also known as Sabretooth, originally debuted in the original X-Men film way back in 2000. Back then Creed was portrayed by noted stunt actor Tyler Mane. When it came time for a Wolverine spin-off film, the producers felt that a much more talented actor would be required for the part.

The end result was Liev Schreiber adopting the role. In this interpretation, Sabretooth was much less a feral man eater and much more a parallel to Wolverine himself. Originally the move was panned by fans, but Schreiber brought his A-game and created a memorable movie villain. Schreiber's Victor Creed was more psychological than the previous version, and portrayed as superior to the pre-adamantium Wolverine. If all goes according to plan, Liev Schreiber could be reprising the role in Wolverine 2.

5. Professor X
Actor: Patrick Stewart
Movies: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Patrick Stewart had long been the fan favorite for the role of "Professor X" Charles Xavier even before a live action movie adaptation was announced. In a great sign of fan service, that piece of fan casting became a reality and Patrick Stewart did not disappoint.

Stewart's natural grace and dignity translated well into the world's greatest telepath, bringing a quiet intelligence to the character. Patrick Stewart also brought a natural chemistry with Ian McKellen (who portrayed Magneto) that elevated their feud to the levels it reached in the comic books.

4. Mystique
Actress: Rebecca Romijn
Movies: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Female characters often get the short end of the stick when it comes time to make the jump to the silver screen. In the case of Mystique, the character increased in profile from Rebecca Romijn's sexy, mysterious portrayal.

Mystique became Magneto's right hand woman, and she went about her work expertly hiding her true motives. Romijn made Mystique into, essentially, the ultimate mutant super spy with some of the X-Men series' best fight scenes, combined with her ability to shapeshift. The nearly-nude blue makeup made Mystique instantly memorable, but it was the way the character was portrayed that left a lasting impression.

3. Nightcrawler
Actor: Alan Cumming
Movie: X2: X-Men United (2003)

In one of the more faithful comic book transitions, Alan Cumming brought Nightcrawler to the big screen to great acclaim in 2003. Nightcrawler, the teleporting, religious X-Man who appears to be more devil than human, was an interesting change of pace for several reasons.

The most interesting part was the way Nightcrawler's teleporting powers allowed for some truly unique fight scenes (like the opening White House scene in X2). The character's pacifist nature also allowed for a counterpoint to Wolverine's slice first, ask questions later style. It is too bad X-Men: The Last Stand was so overstuffed, because Nightcrawler deserved another big screen go around.

2. Magneto
Actor: Ian McKellen
Movies: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Magneto has always been a villain with an easily understandable motive. Because of that, almost any actor could have taken on the role to make for a decent movie. By casting Ian McKellen, not only was Magneto a good villain, but he almost seemed justified in his actions.

Whether it was moving the Golden Gate Bridge or attempting to turn all of the world's politicians into mutants, Magneto was always an intimidating presence in the movies. The best part, though, were the moments of honor shown. The mutual respect shown between Xavier and Magneto highlighted the broken friendship that future films will no doubt explore, while at the same time making this battle between good and evil all the more blurred.

1. Wolverine
Actor: Hugh Jackman
Movies: X-Men (2000), X2: X-Men United (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

As if there would be any question. When Hugh Jackman was originally announced as the actor to play Wolverine fans scoffed at the idea. Not only was he a full foot taller than his comic counterpart, but his film credits to that point did not indicate Jackman was capable of carrying a big budget actioner.

Hugh Jackman set out to prove the critics wrong, and he did so in a big way. A decade removed from the first X-Men film, Hugh Jackman has ingrained himself so much in the Wolverine character that it would almost be blasphemy to imagine any other actor in the role. With each passing film Jackman bulks up to look a little more savage in his role as the iconic Canadian mutant.

Sources

http://www.imdb.com