---
title: "X-Men: the reviews"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/x-men/reviews"
title_page: "https://film.one/film/x-men"
critics_score: 60
critics_reviews: 8
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# X-Men (2000): what the critics said

Critics' score 60 from 8 reviews: 2 positive, 4 mixed, 2 negative.

The reviews lean towards a mixed reception, with praise clustering around the cast rather than the storytelling. Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine earns approval for his intensity and charisma, while Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen bring weight to the material. Even less enthusiastic critics find something human in Wolverine, particularly his bond with Rogue. The more favourable accounts also praise the humour, effects and superhero set-pieces, finding an entertaining adaptation despite the crowded story.

The spread is wide, though two of the eight reviews have no accessible verdict text, limiting the picture. Reservations centre on too much material, loose plotting and characters who need more development. Total Film sees a promising opening give way to an incomplete franchise introduction; the Evening Standard finds the provocative themes insufficient compensation for the lack of excitement. Action is another dividing point: Eye for Film finds it limp, despite admiring Jackman and McKellen.

## Empire — Colin Kennedy

Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. 

The critic finds the film surprisingly good and an effective start to the franchise. They praise Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and the gravitas Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen bring to the story.

[Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/x-men-review/)

## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan

Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 14 July 2000. 

Turan finds the film an accomplished, entertaining adaptation, though it packs too much into its brisk running time. He especially praises Hugh Jackman’s intensity as Wolverine and the film’s self-aware humor, which helps its effects land.

[Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-jul-14-ca-52650-story.html)

## The New York Times

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 14 July 2000. 

The page does not expose the critic’s verdict. It provides no accessible details about what the review praised or criticized.

[Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/07/14/movies/film-review-pow-misfit-heroes-to-the-rescue-zap.html)

## Time Out — TJ

Fi1m's normalised score 64/100 (inferred from the text). 

The page identifies this as a film review, but its verdict cannot be determined from the available text. No praise or complaint is accessible because the review body is absent.

[Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/x-men)

## Radio Times — Andrew Collins

Rating 3/5. 

Collins presents it as a dark, effective superhero film. He particularly praises its special effects.

[Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-hrqwaz/xmen/)

## Total Film — Total Film

Rating 3/5. 18 August 2000. 

The review finds the film promising at first but increasingly unfocused, leaving it feeling like an incomplete franchise opener. It praises the strong characters and well-executed superhero set-pieces, while criticizing the plot holes and underdeveloped supporting characters.

[Read the review](https://www.gamesradar.com/x-men-review/)

## Evening Standard

Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. 

The critic finds the film intellectually overcrowded, narratively loose and short on excitement, despite its provocative themes. Wolverine and his bond with Rogue are singled out as the few elements that hold attention and provide humanity.

[Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/xmen-7433660.html)

## Eye for Film — Symon Parsons

Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 19 January 2001. 

The critic finds the film entertaining but ultimately underwhelming, with limp action and a story that never quite comes to life. McKellen’s sympathetic villain and Jackman’s charismatic Wolverine are singled out for praise.

[Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/x-men-film-review-by-symon-parsons)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/x-men.md