Marvel's mutants have been reinvented in the latest X-Men spin-off as standard-bearers for today's alienated youth
The X-Men entered our world in an era very different from our own. They were launched in September 1963 in the first issue of what was to become the Marvel Universe comic book, Uncanny X-Men. In those days, deviation from normality as conceived by the majority was a more hazardous business than it is now. Gay people, women, ethnic minorities and the disabled were still struggling against unashamed prejudice, often officially sanctioned. McCarthyism and even the Holocaust were relatively recent memories.
Yet unlike James Bond and his big-screen ilk, the X-Men weren't just out to assert their own prowess in a society enslaved to convention. Trail-blazingly multicultural, they viewed their singularity as a problem as well as a boon, and emphasised group awareness rather than individual aggrandisement. Sensible of the anguish that difference could entail...
The X-Men entered our world in an era very different from our own. They were launched in September 1963 in the first issue of what was to become the Marvel Universe comic book, Uncanny X-Men. In those days, deviation from normality as conceived by the majority was a more hazardous business than it is now. Gay people, women, ethnic minorities and the disabled were still struggling against unashamed prejudice, often officially sanctioned. McCarthyism and even the Holocaust were relatively recent memories.
Yet unlike James Bond and his big-screen ilk, the X-Men weren't just out to assert their own prowess in a society enslaved to convention. Trail-blazingly multicultural, they viewed their singularity as a problem as well as a boon, and emphasised group awareness rather than individual aggrandisement. Sensible of the anguish that difference could entail...
- 6/6/2011
- by David Cox
- The Guardian - Film News
I came into Lights Out a little caustiously last night. Most sports dramas I have watched either focus to much on the sport or to much on one main character. I thought maybe Lights Out would have followed that same procedure but instead, it punched its way past normal sports television and seperated itself from it. The first hour of Lights Out has already proven that it can go toe to toe with other dramas on cable and even on basic networks.
The characters of the show seem fresh. Patrick "Lights" Leary (Holt McCallany) is not the typical retired boxer. For awhile we get a sense that he doesn't miss the sport but we can see throughout the pilot, Lights is struggling to break free from normalcy and from this, he will pick a fight just so he can live in his lifestyle a little while longer. Theresa Leary (Catherine McCormack...
The characters of the show seem fresh. Patrick "Lights" Leary (Holt McCallany) is not the typical retired boxer. For awhile we get a sense that he doesn't miss the sport but we can see throughout the pilot, Lights is struggling to break free from normalcy and from this, he will pick a fight just so he can live in his lifestyle a little while longer. Theresa Leary (Catherine McCormack...
- 1/12/2011
- by Jordan Cramer
- TVovermind.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.