Editorial: Ranking the X-Franchise

With X-Men: Days of Future Past dominating the box office, what better time than the present to evaluate the X-films from best to worst.

7. X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

Why?: This film takes the Weapon X storyline and wipes it's ass with it. With a boring plot, awful special effects, and characterizations that will make all X-fans cringe (WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO DEADPOOL!) X-Men Origins: Wolverine successfully creates a puke fest.

Worst of the Worst: Sewing The Merc with the Mouth's mouth shut.

6. X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

Why?: Kelsey Grammar's Beast and Ellen Page's Kitty Pryde are nice additions to the ever expanding cast, but everything else in Brett Ratner's X-film is a huge disappointment. This movie unsuccessfully attempts to adapt The Dark Phoenix Saga. Ratner's lose vision and several pointless deaths hamper this third film. 

A Moment of Greatness: The Juggernaut!

5. X-Men (2000)

Why?: This is the film that showed the general public that comic book movies can be taken seriously. Bryan Singer's first trek into the X-verse is a fun time that gives the X-Men a proper movie adaption. Characters like Cyclops fall short, but X-Men is a fine introduction to everyone's favorite mutants.

Fight Night: Beat down in the Statue of Liberty.

4. The Wolverine (2013)

Why?: A great character piece that adequately adapts Claremont and Miller's Japan Saga. Hugh Jackman once again shines as Logan and Rila Fukushima as Yukio is just excellent. The climax scene with the Silver Samurai and the twist that everyone saw coming a mile away are downers in an otherwise great story.

Badass: Wolverine vs. Shingen!

3. X-Men: First Class (2011)

Why?: This movie re-envigorated the franchise. With a completely new cast and a 60's setting, Matt Vaughn was able to tell us the story of the beginning of the X-Men. The First class may not be exact the original five (Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Iceman, and Angel are the originals), but the main players for later films are there. Michael Fassbender especially stands out as Magneto while McAvoy, Lawrence, and Hoult were all welcome additions to the X-Men movie verse.

Holy Shit: Frankenstien's monster!

2. X2: X-Men United (2003)

Why?: The Raid on the X-Mansion. Nightcrawler in the Whitehouse. The Brotherhood and X-Men teaming up. This film is full of great moments. Brian Cox's Stryker is the most fleshed out villain of the series, besides Magneto of course. And this film excellently adapts the classic X-storyline God Loves, Man Kills.

BAMF: Nightcrawler assassination attempt!

1. X-Men: Days Of Future Past (2014)

Why?: The newest installment of the franchise is just plain awesome. Stellar cast, direction, and story. Infusing the best of new cast and the best of the old cast led to cinema magic. Check out my review for further insights.

WOW!: This film is full of worthy moments. This is the only one I could find on Youtube.

I can't wait until X-Men: Apocalypse. So then we have this discussion all over again. For more X-Men coverage follow us on Twitter @Caped_Informers or follow me @cstrand73. What's your list look like? Sound off in the comments.

Superhero Man Crush Monday: (5/26/14)

Happy Memorial Day everyone! Let's crush on some dudes.

Man Crush: Tom Hardy

Tom Hardy first caught my attention in Chris Nolan's Inception, but it was not until I watched Warrior in 2011 that I thought this guy is a star. Hardy played the role of Tommy Conlon. He was able to showcase his acting prowess as well as show off his physicality. I mean the dude has the biggest traps I have ever seen. So when Chris Nolan announced that Hardy would portray Bane in the final Dark Knight film, I was over the moon. Hardy brought a menacing presence to the villain and with most of his face covered by a mask his eyes spoke volumes. Not to mention he spoke in perhaps a voice that is even more fun to imitate than Bale's Batman growl. But above all that Hardy is my man crush because of his fight with Batman in the sewer. Every line that comes from his Bane while he beats the Dark Knight into submission is quotable and just plain awesome. Thanks Tom. Once this MCM is posted, you have my permission to call me.

"Ah, yes, I was wondering what would break first. Your spirit, or  your body!"

-Christian

Character Crush: Colossus

Colossus is the metal morphing and super strong member of the X-Men. First introduced in 1975 he has become a staple in the X-men franchise ever since. Colossus has been my favorite X Man since they introduced him into the movies in X2. That was the first time when he finally got to show off his powers. When he is in his metal form Colossus doesn't need sleep, food, water, and his body has resistance to any metal on the planet except Vibranium. He is a soft spoken, gentle, and caring individual he has a had a long lasting relationship with Kitty Pryde but with Doop stepping in it doesn't look good for Peter. Colossus is a great X-Man, while he doesn't get the publicity like others do he is a great character and often keeps the other more impulsive members in their place. He is the strong moral center that every team needs.

"I don't give my word unless I mean to keep it." 

-Adam