HALLE BERRY X-MEN HUGH JACKMAN ANNA PAQUIN

BY PAM BAKER/PLANET SYNDICATION

Meeting with Halle Berry reminds one immediately that she was recently named one of People magazines most beautiful people in the world and used to be a first runner-up in the Miss USA pageant in 1986. In the new X-Men movie, Halle Berry plays Storm, one of the mutants in the hugely popular comic book series. Her character, who has the ability to manipulate and control all forms of weather, is one of the most powerful. Halle is wearing a white wig and a silver cape over her tight black leather suit, of which she says it didnt allow her to breathe at all. But, as expected, she looks spectacular, especially when she sends out her eye beams through silvery eyeballs. What a change from last years highly acclaimed HBO film 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge', for which she received a Golden Globe Award. Halle berry is a very versatile actress and can't be type cast. Her film debut in 1991 opposite Samuel L. Jackson in Spike Lees Jungle Fever created an early-on buzz around Hollywood that a huge star was emerging. In 1995, when she was playing opposite Jessica Lange in 'Losing Isaiah', great reviews cemented her reputation as one of the best young actresses of African American decent. The former model hasn't always been the easiest to work with. A reputation for on-set tenacity, Berry preferred to live her roles, remaining in character even when the cameras stopped rolling. This technique was not universally enjoyed by her fellow workers, especially when she refused to bathe for several days before starting work on her role as a crack addict in Spike Lees 'Jungle Fever'. That all has changed now. She comes across as a real sweetheart, engaged to be married soon and overall speaking, very poised. There has been a much publicized divorce before from newly traded New York Yankee outfielder David Justice, there were rumors of suicide contemplation and a hit and run auto accident. Its all in the past. She says very believably, Today I'm really content in my own skin and one wishes for her that it always will be like that. Strutting her stuff in a light lavender sweater and jeans, Halle looks like a young girl just out of high school. Her impeccable caramel complexion is the envy of every woman in the room but then, there must be a reason why she's the international spokesperson for Revlon.

Q: How did you get involved in X-Men?
A: I loved Bryan Singers film The Usual Suspects, so I thought I should meet this cool, groovy director. I'd just finished the biopic 'Introducing Dorothy Dandridge', wearing so many different hats there, that I was ready to work with an ensemble cast. It seemed really good to be part of something where I wouldn't take all the credit, or all the blame.

Q: When I saw the movie, I had a feeling, there was background information on Storm missing. Where is she coming from, whats her story?
A: (sighs) It was all there. We see everybody as children, everybody has a back story. You follow them and watch how they evolve. When were filming, the movie was very long. But then, they edited and realized with getting everybodys story they were biting off more than they could chew. So, they couldn't show how Storm became the earth mother of the bunch. I dont know if you really get that from the movie. She's the calm one. When there is a storm going on, in the middle there's the eye of the storm, thats very still and calm. Storm is the eye in the middle. She's the conscience of the group, she's a teacher. It is her belief that you must educate people and that's how they will become more tolerant of the differences in the mutants.

Q: There was no scene with Storm as a teacher in the movie.
A: I know. If I'd have had anything to say, I think there was a really great scene with the kids, which should have stayed in. This scene shows Storm as a teacher, and in that one scene you got to see her humanity, got to see how grounded she was, how concerned she was about the youth. She was committed to teaching and the kids loved her. She had a very good relationship was the children. I miss that this scene is not in the film. Hopefully, next time, they'll explain more about her.

Q: Are you disappointed?
A: I dont know, its hard to say. If Storm still comes off with some of those qualities, then No. If its Who is this chick with the white hair? then Im very disappointed.

Q: She has very fashionable white hair but does that mean she is also the oldest and wisest?
A: Yeah, shes much more, sort of earthy, and grounded. I think shes the type of person who will take a lot, take, take, take - but when its enough and she gets to a point thats uncomfortable for her, dont mess with her. Then, she'll even the use her power. But I dont think that something she really likes to do. Shes a great educator and teacher. She believes more in transformation through learning than using her powers.

Q: Your contact lenses look really frightening. Did they hurt you when you re wearing them? ~
A: Actually, I cried my way out of my contacts. They were really painful, and I had an adverse reactions to them. After I wore them the first time I woke up the following morning with my eyes puffy and swollen and red. They werent good. So they were enhanced by special effects.

Q: What intrigued you most about the part?
A: I guess I like that the women match the men. They are just as there and present and powerful as the men are. In 'Batman' there's cat woman but Batman will destroy her. The X-Men are very equal characters. The women dont get exploited in this movie. Even though Rebecca is naked. You dont get to feel like shes naked. I mean her boobs arent pushed up to her chin.

Q: Were you familiar with the X-Men growing up?
A: No. I briefly heard about X-Men somewhere, some time. It didnt matter. Bryan didn't want us to read the comics anyway. We are not creating comic book characters here, were three-dimensional figures, as real as possible. That was Bryan's direction: be real, play the character as a real human being, not as a caricature.

Q: Did you read other comic books when you were a kid?
A: No, I wasnt a comic book reader. But now, of course, I am. What I learned about the X-Men is that they really have a social message. The X-Men is not just a kids comic book. It really talks about mutants finding their place in our society. Like all minorities who have to struggle to find a place in society. Thats really the underlying message for me of the entire comic book. Finding tolerance and acceptance for all people.

Q: And they made you a doll finally, is that right?
A: Finally, yes. I didnt have a doll made of me from The Flintstones and I was really upset. But now, my Storm doll has these lightning bolts in the back. Thats because Storm controls the weather with her mind. They gave me a fabulous body, a lot better than mine.

Q: I've seen the doll, it looks just like you.
A: No, that is not my body.

Q: Oh, yes it is. Did you have dolls when you were a kid or were you more of a tomboy?
A: I had dolls, I wasnt a tomboy. I was a girls girl. I love women and girls.

Q: We hear the X-Men fans are like trekkies. Theyre pretty religious about following the X-Men comic. Are you anticipating appearing at conventions for the next 20 years?
A: Yes, that could come up. Theres a really big convention in San Diego and people were asking us if we were going to go. It could be neat. I've become really obsessed with knowing whats going on, what the real diehard fans have to say. I'm looking for really rare comic books, that are collectors items and I actually bought them. I got four of them so far.

Q: Were you sneaking into the chat rooms to find out what the buzz was?
A: Yes, and I had to find out what they're complaining about! They didnt like my bangs. They're mad about these things. Sometimes they are frightening. Then you have to realize you can't please everybody all the time. We chose this wig because I have dark hair and that hair was white. And theres a lot of wind, if I didnt have bangs whenever the wind would blow, in any way, you would see the natural darkness of my hairline. I really was unwilling to dye my hair platinum blond, and to risk baldness for this movie. So I said We're just going to have to do something else. We looked through the X-Men comic books back issues and in some of the versions Storm did have bangs, some years back. She's had long hair, short hair, bangs. So we just choose the bang look. But maybe if there are sequels, she'll get a haircut.

Q: Would the discussion on the Net influence your decisions?
A: I always paid attention, but Bryan he was our leader had the last word on everything. We'd always talk things over with him. He was always aware of what was going on. We knew we couldnt let public opinion really dictate everything we did, had to stick to our own guns. I hope that it will be accepted.

Q: What superpower that you would like to have?
A: I'd like to know what someone thinks because there's people walking around us who aren't what they seem. I'd like to know who are the true good guys and who are the true bad guys.

Q: Wouldn't that come in handy when one looks for a significant other?
A: Oh sure! Well as little girls, we were taught to find Prince Charming. Always looking for that man to complete you, that's what I was taught to seek, and then you will be happy. I felt like a failure. I was divorced at 30, and thought this is not what my life is supposed to be.

Q: Tell us a little bit about your mother. Hows she doing?
A: She just had gallbladder surgery. But she's doing fine, thank you. My mothers the strongest woman I know. My mother is white. She had two black kids in the 60s, and fought a lot of battles all by herself. Mom's family turned their backs on her, and the black side of the family turned their backs on her, too. She was alone and she made it happen and survived.

Q: Do you mostly date black or white men?
A: I've dated pretty equally.

Q: What pickup lines would work with you?
A: Something corny and sweet and genuine. Nothing like Can I get some fries with that shake. No bull shit like that.

Q: So, when are you getting married?
A: I don't know. We had a date set before all this accident stuff happened, and the last few months I was not doing what a blushing bride should do. I wasn't planing my wedding, so it all fell apart. So now, were looking to set a new date. It'll be sometimes soon, I think.

Thank you.