X-MEN
The future is here

20th Century Fox
PG-13

Based on Stan Lee’s Marvel comic book series, X-MEN recounts the story of Professor Xavier’s X-MEN, all born with a unique genetic mutation, and their physical and philosophical battle with the Professor’s former colleague and friend, Magneto, who believes mutants oddities... outcasts who are feared and loathed by those who cannot accept their differences. Yet despite society’s pervasive ignorance, Cyclops (James Marsden), Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) and Storm (Halle Berry), and thousands like them survive. Their professor, Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), welcomes two newcomers: Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Rogue (Ana Paquin). The X-MEN find themselves locked in a physical and philosophical battle with the Professor’s former colleague and friend, Erik Lehnsherr a.k.a. Magneto (Ian McKellen). He and his evil brotherhood–the mammoth Sabretooth (Tyler Mane), the metamorph Mystique (Rebecca Romijn-Stamos) and the nearsighted, far-jumping Toad (Ray Park)–will stop at nothing to ensure the future, even if it threatens the very existence of mankind... or mutantkind.

Questions for discussion:
The topic of this video discussion is discrimination, especially discrimination based on perceived differences, whether the differences are real or fabricated. Youth (and sometimes the rest of us) often feel as if they are mutants. Add name-calling and put-downs to already present feelings of isolation, discomfort with their body, and identity growth, and many adolescents will be able to identify with the mutants in this film.

The discussion questions that follow will guide your discussion toward the differences between how the world treats us and how God loves us. Most of the questions are phrased in general terms. These questions are followed by scriptural references that may be familiar to your group, but may take on new meaning in the context of this discussion. Along with the scripture references are questions aimed at helping youth think specifically about their own life.

1. When Dr. Jean Grey was speaking before the hearing, how did her description of mutants and her explanation of the situation make you feel? How did you feel when Senator Kelly interrupted her, putting words into her mouth and drawing conclusions she never made?

2. How do you feel when someone assumes they know what you mean, especially when they haven’t got a clue about who you are?

3. On the helicopter, Mystique tells Senator Kelly, “People like you are the reason I was afraid to go to school as a child.” Do the actions or words of other people cause you to be afraid to go to school (or somewhere else)? Do you ever make people afraid or uneasy to be around you? Why? What is it about you that may give people an inaccurate impression of who you really are?

4. In the parking lot outside of the station, Magneto is holding Rogue while the police and the X-MEN are trying to get her away from him. Without knowing that she would be saved in the end, did you think Professor X should have sacrificed the cop to save Rogue? Why or why not?

5. Magneto quotes a common phrase in this movie, “Mankind (sic) has always feared what it doesn’t understand.” Do you think that’s true? Name something that you fear that you don’t understand, or are unfamiliar with. 

6. Just before Senator Kelly dies, he has this conversation with Storm:
   Senator: Do you hate normal people?
   Storm: (pause) Sometimes.
   Senator: Why?
   Storm: I suppose ... I’m afraid of them.
   Senator: Well, I think you’ve got one less person to be afraid of.

7. What did the senator mean by that last statement? Obviously he knew he was about to die. Was that all, or was he trying to say, since he had spent time with mutants and had come to know some of their concerns, that he saw them as real people and not as monsters? What changed his opinion?

8. Rogue and Magneto have this conversation toward the end of the film:
   Magneto: America was going to be the land of tolerance, of peace.
   Rogue: Are you going to kill me?
   Magneto: Yes.
   Rogue: Why?
   Magneto: Because there is no land of tolerance, there is no peace–not here, not anywhere that women, children, whole families destroyed simply because they were born different from those in power.

9. At the beginning of the film, we see Magneto as a boy in a German concentration camp, being separated from his parents. Do you think he is justified in his harsh opinions about humanity, especially given his experiences as a Jew during WWII, and as a mutant living in a society hostile toward mutants?

10. Magneto’s group is engaged in a struggle for freedom. During the 1950s and 1960s, African Americans were engaged in a struggle for freedom from segregation and racism. During the film, Magneto indicates that his group is prepared to gain their freedom “By any means necessary.” He quotes Malcolm X, who also used this phrase during his fight against racism. Is it ever appropriate (or conversely, is it ever inappropriate) to use all your resources, including violence, to attain your goal? Under what circumstances?
    

Take a look at the following scripture references:

Luke 6:27-42 (see also Matthew 5:33-48)
It’s easy to love people who love us. How hard is it to love people who don’t like you, are mean to you, or you’re indifferent towards? Who is someone that you just can’t love? Why is it so hard to love that person?

Luke 10:25-37 (see also Matthew 22:34-40, Mark 12:28-34)
Who is your neighbor? Who is it hard to be a neighbor with? Is there anyone who you would pass by on the other side of the road on purpose, even though you know this story told by Jesus? What might bring you back to the side of the road to help a person in need?

Acts 3:1-10
Peter and John heal this man who everyone else passes by every day, most of them without talking to him. How many times do we pass by people who are on the street or at stoplights asking for our spare change? Peter and John loved the man with a love from God even though he was different. How does God call you to love those who are different from you?

1 Corinthians 12 & 13 (see also Ephesians 4:1-16, Galatians 3:28-29)

• 12:1-11
  The mutants in the film used their gifts either to support and build up life (X-MEN) or to destroy life (Magneto’s group). How do you use your gifts? Are there things about yourself that you once thought were negative, but now realize might be God-given gifts? Talk about gifts... no matter how much we might look the same, we all have different gifts.

• 12:12-26
  What kind of group do you belong to (punk, athlete, geek, etc.)? Talk about the Body of Christ... how everyone belongs and is the same in many ways, no matter how much we may look or seem different.

• 12:27-31
  We all belong and are necessary, no matter who we are because... (complete the sentence).

• 13:1-13
  God loves us, and because of that we are called and have the responsibility to love others, because just like us, they are children of God.

Revelation 21:1-4 (be careful with Revelation because of the baggage it carries for some people)
John sees a new heaven and a new earth where the reign of God will be fulfilled–where all the things scripture talks about, but that we humans can never quite get right, will become part of life. What responsibility do you as an individual have in helping bring about the new heaven and new earth? What responsibility do we as a group have?

As with anything, feel free to adapt this guide to your own situation. Enjoy the film, enjoy the discussion and enjoy one another. And remember, the first word and the last word is always, “God Loves You.”