Fourteen years ago superhero movies were not really a thing. Sure people knew who Spider-man, Batman, and Wolverine were, but besides that, the common public didn't really know much about superheroes. I would even bet that some people didn't even know who Ironman, Thor, or the Avengers were. But, in the summer of 2000 the first X-Men film was released and the rest is history. While the X-Men films started out strong, they eventually started to wander a little bit, and for a while kind of got push aside to make room for other superheroes. With X-Men: Days Future Past being both critically and financially successful it looks like the X-Men films series is back on track.
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In anticipation for the latest film my brother Matt and I re watched all of the X-Men films, and I was reminded how great this film series is. There not all created equal, but they each have their place. The thing I love about X-Men is that there is so much more to them than just being superheroes. They are stories of survival, fear, oppression, acceptance of others and yourself, working as a team, and overcoming incredible odds. So for my latest blog entry I have decided to outline my favorite moments from from the X-Men films. So without further adieu, here they are! (Heads up there are spoilers)
The first Wolverine movie was the weakest of all the films, but it had one of the coolest opening scenes from any movie I've seen. In about 5 minutes it shows Wolverine and his brother Sabertooth fight in just about everyone American war starting with the Civil War all the way up to the Vietnam war. In 5 minutes this scene showed us who the character of Wolverine really is, and that he's been through a lot of crap.
14. Wolverine Kills Jean Grey: X-Men: The Last Stand
Throughout all the first three movies Wolverine is constantly trying to hook up with Jean Grey. But when he finally has the opportunity she decides to go crazy. Wolverine knowing that he is the only one who can stop her is faced with a difficult decision; kill the women he loves, or let thousands and maybe even millions die. It's a pretty dark and heart wrenching scene. It is a very bitter sweet moment.
13. Bullet Train Chase Scene: The Wolverine
The next Wolverine stand alone film was filled with a lot great action scenes and character moments, but I think my favorite is the fight scene on top of the bullet train. It's both thrilling, and innovative, and it shows Wolverine in a vulnerable state which makes the situation even more intense.
12. The Future Opening Battle: Days of Future Past
Days of Future sure did open with bang. In about 5 minutes we got so see about 5 new awesome mutant powers and we got our first look at the sentinels, and man were those sentinels scary. We see the likes of mutants such as Ice-man, Blink, Sunspot, and Warpath killed in matter of minutes. This scene not was an awesome sequence but it set up the tone of the movie, and showed that what our heroes were going to be facing would not be a cake walk.
11. Jean Grey Sacrifices Herself: X2: X-Men United
Another powerful moment featuring Jean Grey. This scene is great because it's emotional, and heartbreaking as we see one of the legendary X-Men give up her life to save those she cares about. It's also really the first time we see how powerful Jean Grey can really be.
10. Wolverine Saves Rogue: X-Men
One of the best things about the first X-Men film was the relationship between Wolverine and Rouge, and this scene demonstrates that Logan isn't all that tough, and that he does have a human side to him. It's a very touching scene that shows Wolverine going out of his way to help one of his fellow X-Men.
9. Xavier Sees His future: Day of Future Past
While DOFP features a lot of different characters, it's real main character is Xavier, and about the redemption of his soul and finding hope again. I love this scene in the movie because he finally begins to accept who he is again and embrace his powers. I loved seeing both James McAvoy and Patrick Stewart together on the same screen as well.
8. Quicksilver Jail Break: Days of Future Past
Quicksilver was definitely the breakout character in the newest X-Men film, and this scene was both hilarious and exciting! Quicksilver is was one the most visually impressive X-Men. I can't wait to see more of him in the next film.
7. Xavier vs Magneto Airplane Show Down: Days of Future Past
One of the best things about the new films is the relationship between Professor X and Magneto. Once great friends turned to bitter rivals, and this scene we finally get to see the two hash it out. But the scene is not one of great mutant powers, but rather it's an emotional battle of words. We learn about what both of theses characters have been through and we can relate to both of them.
6. Death of Professor X: The Last Stand
I was so shocked the first time I saw this. I could not believe that they would kill off Professor X and because of that it was incredibly emotional for me the first time I saw it. The fact that it was Jean Grey was the one the killed him made it that much more shocking. This scene also has a pretty awesome fight scene between Wolverine and Juggernaut.
5. Nightcrawler's Attack on the White House: X2: X-Men United
The first scene in the second X-Men film opens with a huge bang! In about 5 minutes we see one mutant take out the entire secret service. This scene is one of the most visually impressive scenes in any movie. It's both fun and terrifying as we see Nightcrawler demonstrate how lethal he can be.
4. Wolverine Wakes Up in the New Future: Days of Future Past
This end scene was both triumphant and touching. It reminded me of the final scene of Inception when Cobb, wakes up from his dream. It great to see that Wolverine's mission was successful and they had prevent the terrible future and see old characters back from the dead.
3. Wolverine Goes Berserk in the Mansion- X2: X-Men United
When Strikers sends his goons to attack the mansion they didn't expect to run in a crazy, butt kicking Wolverine. This was the first time we really got to see Wolverine do some real damage. This is one of the most heart pounding scenes of the whole series. Hugh Jackman does an amazing job at portraying the pent up anger that's been brewing inside of Wolverine.
2. Xavier becomes a Cripple: First Class
I loved First Class, but there aren't a ton of memorable scenes, except this one. Like I said before, one of the best things about these movies is the relationship between Charles and Eric. This is scene is heartbreaking as we see them fight for the first time and eventually see Xavier become crippled because Magneto. This scene poses the questions, are we willing to stick to what we believe in, even if it hurts the people around us? That's exactly what happens as Magneto so full of hate for humans wishes to destroy them, that he ends of hurting the person closest to him.
1. Final Battle: Days of Future Past
The last 20 minutes of the final battle, that rotates between Magneto's attack on the white house and the sentinel attack in the future is the most intense, thematic, and emotional scene of the all of the X-Men films. Not only does it have amazing action sequences and incredible special effects (Magneto freaking picks up a football stadium!) it also has a lot of heart to it. I'm not going to lie I got a little tear eyed when I saw the death of many of the mutants in the future scenes. But the thing I liked the most it is that I felt that this final battle was really more about saving the soul of Mystique, rather than the actual physical fight. That fact alone makes it that much more thrilling, and profound. Along with stopping Magneto, Xavier is trying to save his life long friend from a life a despair and suffering. It's an incredibly exciting and thought provoking ending to the best X-Men movie yet.
Those are some of my favorite scenes. Did I miss any other good ones?
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