I almost forgot. This weekend is the opening for X-Men 3. I have been looking forward to this movie. The fact that I am an old comic book collector does add to my enthusiasm. That is because I know the full history of all the main and many of the secondary characters. Even some of the 3 tier mutants like Spike.
But there is something far more important in these movies. It tends to be more clearly stated in the comic books, that the mutant were an allegory for Black African Americans. The comic book, for those that don’t know, started in 1964 (older than some of my readers and me) at the time of civil rights. While Marvel would not publish a book with major Black African American characters (As I recall there started to be some secondary characters in the 70's - The Falcon, and the side kick for the Hulk - culminating in Luke Cage, Power Man as the first leading Black comic book hero followed by the Black Panther) they did want to make a new series that touched on the things that teens were dealing with at the time. Mutants were outcasts, ostracized by the mainstream, hunted and killed because they were different. They were misunderstood and subjugated. They lived in fear of unprovoked attacks on a daily basis. Very much the daily life of many Blacks in that time.
For the younger readers, yes there was a time when segregation was so pervasive that a comic book could not include black characters. That is one aspect of racism. Unlike today where cartoons and movies and television shows often have some type of Black African American portrayed (though massively under represented and often cast as villains and violent). A true example of being shutout of society is to not exist in the art that is an expression of that society. It wasn’t until the mid to late seventies that we saw any traction, due to the efforts of many, like those that died or were beaten during the marches in the south or Mr. Malcolm X or Dr. Martin Luther King.
But the matter at hand is this movie, X-Men 3. The mutants are persecuted, as in the other movies, feared and targets of hate; both by the public and the government. Whether with Magneto or Professor X, or the Morlocks, they seek to be recognized as deserving respect and the rights others take for granted. The misguided powers that be have found a way to “cure” them instead of taking the time to support them and make them a part of society. [Kind of makes me think of what are the potential hazzards with genetic engineering] Yet the mutants strive to gain their place, some via extreme measures others working within the system to varying degrees. The key is that they strive for what they want. And they all believe in what they are striving for, no matter the means they employ (though I do not advocate violence, nor do I believe the movie does).
I’m looking forward to the struggles, both internal and external, that several characters will have to experience. I hope others will see the morals underlying the superpowers and special effects. Whether it’s the inequality experienced by minorities, or the violence against gays, or the hatred directed towards various religions there is more to each of these movies than just the action onscreen. Pause a moment after seeing this movie and reflect on that. For me this only adds to the movie, not detracts. But then again, I like to think deeply about things. Even if I am swept away with escapism at the first glance.
[Potential spoilers, not sure if they will be in the movie. You were warned.]
As a tidbit, things I know about the characters that I find fantastic. Wolverine is about 150 years old. Sabertooth has on occasion been a good guy. Colossus (he is Russian) can take a .45 caliber bullet to the eye without harm. Juggernaught (an American) is the irresistible force (IE. he cannot be stopped once he chooses to move, but he can be slowed down). Mystique is Nightcrawlers (he is German) mom. Professor X used to be able to walk. Havoc and Cyclops cancel each other out in a fight against each other. Iceman is one of the most powerful characters around. The original X-men were Cyclops, Marvel Girl (Jean Grey), Beast (before he mutated and got blue hair), Iceman, and Angel. The second generation (all dead except Wolverine as I recall) included an Native American Indian (Thunderbird for all of one issue, very sad). Wolverine and Storm are part of the 3rd generation. Storm is Egyptian and was worshiped as a goddess in an African village. Ok, enough of my geek side. Seriously though, the X-men was the first and most multi-cultural, before such a term existed, diverse comic book. It was also dedicated to dealing with the social issues of the current day, in an almost realistic manner.
This is what I think, what do you think?
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