Generation X (TV 1996)

A group of young mutants--humans with a genetic variation that gives them superpowers and makes them feared by the population at large--begin training at a school for heroes. Their studies ... See full summary »

Director:

Jack Sholder

Writer:

Eric Blakeney

Stars:

Matt Frewer, Finola Hughes, Jeremy Ratchford

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matt Frewer	...	Russel Tresh
Finola Hughes	...	Emma Frost
Jeremy Ratchford	...	Sean Cassidy
Heather McComb	...	Jubilation Lee / Jubilee
Agustin Rodriguez	...	Angelo Espinosa / Skin
Randall Slavin	...	Kurt Pastorius
Bumper Robinson	...	Mondo
Suzanne Davis	...	Arlee Hicks
Amarilis	...	Monet St. Croix / M
Kevin McNulty	...	Ralston
Lalainia Lindbjerg	...	Kayla
Garry Chalk	...	Detective Gaines
Lynda Boyd	...	Alicia Lee
Joely Collins	...	Jeannie
Wally Dalton	...	Pruitt

Storyline

A group of young mutants--humans with a genetic variation that gives them superpowers and makes them feared by the population at large--begin training at a school for heroes. Their studies are interrupted when they must rescue one of their number from a mad scientist who can enter others' dreams.

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Plot Keywords:

mutant | school | teenager | marvel comics | hate | 

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Taglines:

heroes are no longer born... ...they are created.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 February 1996 (USA)

Also Known As:

Geração X

Filming Locations:

Brampton, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

MT2 Services, Marvel Productions, New World Entertainment Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Pilot movie for a TV show that never caught on.

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Goofs

While Jubilee is supposedly playing a video game, in fact the screen shows the between-games demo and the legend "Insert Coin."

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Quotes

Jubilation Lee: [to Banshee and Emma] Look! I'm sure you guys got some great schemes in mind, which is why you nabbed me all right? but I'm a bad girl and I've got some nasty mutant tricks so just back off!

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Connections

References The Munsters (1964)

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Soundtracks

"Telephone Call From Istanbul"
Written and Performed by Tom Waits

User Reviews

A surprising attempt at continuing the X-genre.

As someone who followed Generation X the comic book from its inception, I recall being very excited about the Generation X tv movie during its debut. Unfortunately, that didn't last long. It was a thrill to see what started out as a fantastic comic make it onto the small screen, but the attempts just weren't enough.

Matt Frewer did a fantastic job of chewing the scenery, but it's usually easy to forgive the man his zaniness, particularly if you've ever watched Max Headroom. Beyond that, Generation X was and still remains painful to watch. Just about every canon character that started out in the comic book was not only miscast (i.e., the Chinese-American Jubilee being played by someone who wasn't), but poorly characterized. Mondo, the laid-back Hawaiian had transformed into pure arrogance, while Angelo, the cynical and quick-witted ex-gang member was suddenly on the shy and tentative side.

It was, in a way, what you'd expect from a comic book movie. That is assuming that you don't actually read comics and just have a stereotype in mind, however. Lighting was often overdramatic in a way that any Batman moviegoer could recognize and wince at. Scenery was not especially impressive, excepting the building which stood in for the Massachusetts Academy. Characters did not come across as particularly three dimensional, and it felt as if every prop involved had been drawn rather than created.

Although the movie in and of itself is a whimsical bit, easy to watch if you'd like a brightly colored distraction from the world around you, its script is lacking and its acting on the dull side. I felt for the characters involved not because Generation X the movie was convincing, but instead because I felt loyalty to the characters I'd been reading about for a number of years. The addition of Refrax and Buff, who had potential of their own, was more proof that this was a slapdash movie made in hopes of grabbing a few bucks. After all, these two appears sheerly because the remaining characters from the comic book would go over the budget for filming, as their appearances and powers would require too much in the way of special effects.

Overall, it was a disappointing experience, but I remain fan enough of the comic to keep a taped copy for nostalgia's value.