Everything You Always Hated In X-Men

9. The Goofy Senator Kelly CGI

X Men Cyclops Yellow Spandex
Fox

Conversely, one of the most fascinating and well executed subplots in the film involves Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison), the anti-mutant politician who is ironically turned into a mutant by Magneto (Ian McKellen).

But this is the point at which the film's age shows, as the visual effects for Kelly's transformation are not great, and honestly barely held muster even upon original release.

As Kelly wakes up, he realises that he now possesses an elastic ability, which he demonstrates by pressing his head against his cell's bars, whereby his head squeezes through the gap.

The CGI is pretty goofy looking even by early 2000s standards, and so thankfully isn't lingered upon for too long.

The sequence in which Kelly dies - after his body rejects the mutation and he dissolves into liquid - also looks very silly, as Hollywood hadn't yet gotten a handle on complex fluid-based VFX that also incorporated human elements.

It's hardly the movie's biggest sin, but it's certainly aged like milk regardless.

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.