It's close. I mean, I view all the movies, while having continuing arcs great individual stories.
X-MEN was a terrific introductory film. And as an introductory film it was amazing. The conflicts were all there:
-Love triangle between Scott, Logan, and Jean.
-Scott as Xavier's number one student/friend
-Eric and Charles history and rivalry and the Malcolm X/Dr. King Parallel.
-Hints at Logan's shadowed past and the rivalry between him and Scott.
-Wolverine vs. Sabertooth, twice
Great cameos
-Colossus (drawing in the gardens)
-Jubilee (in class)
-Kitty Pride (talking to the Professor)
I mean, for the budget, constraits, and overall this was a good film, and a great X-men movie.
X2: X-men United:
This was a terrific continuation, but also a great core story. The idea that the government would be so blind to what was going on within itself in terms of attempted Genocide (In the USA!) is so original, and perfect for X-men.
Again, we see more great tips of the hat, more vital comic-based conflicts, and great continued character arcs:
-Jean's power begins to evolve
-Scott still as Xavier's most trusted (they visit Magneto together)
-Continued love triangle with Scott, Logan, and Jean
-Pyro and Bobby start as friends and there begins to have great tension
-The Weapon X story
-God Loves, Man Kills adaptation
-Mastermind
-Nightcrawler
-Nightcrawler and Mystique
X3: The Last Stand
Again is a solid continuation of the story. While it doesn't present adaquate time for all the characters, non of these films did. And for the characters that were developed, they were developed well.
-Jean emerges fully evolved
-Scott dies to symbolize just how insane and irrational the Phoenix is
-Storm goes from second in command to the leader in the wake of Scott's death
-Xavier becomes more radical, and believes that what he did was absolutly right
-Magneto and Xaviers' relationship is spot on
-Callisto vs. Storm rivalry is portrayed
-Pyro has a tremendous role....he's awesome in this
-Angel and Colossus, while not utilized fully were great
-Beast was perfect
-Juggernaut was awesome
-Mystiques arc was powerful
Cameos by the likes of:
-Multiple Man
-Spike
-Syrin
-Jubilee
-Artie
etc
Basically these movies had an underlyin continuing story:
Movie one- Preperation for war, Mutants attempt to strike first before the humans have a chance to really know of their existance.
Movie two- Humans retalliate, radically and without mercy.
Movie three- A cure is found and while it could have altruistic goals, it is used as the human's defense against the mutants. This becomes the final straw and the long antisipated war begins.
So as individual movies, they are great, as a whole they are great...it's hard to judge them really.
-R