In this exciting prequel to the X-Men series, Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) -- the future Professor X and Magneto -- are best friends dedicated to harnessing their powers and promoting the education of fellow mutants during the turbulent 1960s. The duo works together to stop a powerful adversary that threatens mankind, but their ideological differences drive them apart and turn them into ferocious enemies.
The X-Men franchise started with an incredible bang. The first two films in the series were great with the second one being one of the best comic book adaptions to date. Once Bryan Singer left for Superman, the franchise quickly came crashing down critically. They still made money, but it was all pretty much agreed that the last two entries weren’t very good. Despite the tremendous trailers, there was reasonable doubt about this prequel of sorts. You can rest assured though, not only is this a great comic book adaption, but is simply a great standalone film in itself.
Since this takes place years before the originals, the sense of already knowing where these characters are heading may seem anticlimactic, but it’s presented in such a well-conceived matter that some of the rehashed information you know is coming still feels fresh. It also has an interesting take on alternating history, specifically the Cuban Missile Crisis. They effectively take advantage of the setting of the film to develop the characters and also setup the plot of mutants living with the human population that the original trilogy focused on so much. It seemed to work out great for the film.
The heart of the film though, focuses on the relationship between Charles Xavier and Eric Lehnsherr. From the minute these two interact, you just cannot get enough of them. Each lived a completely different childhood that affected the men they would become and merely switching places would have turned each other into the other. You understand these clashing personalities will be the flaw that breaks their bond, but you actually want them tough it out and become the friends they were always supposed to be, but the anger and distrust inside Eric corrupts him into becoming the nemesis we know as Magneto. It was done really well and never felt liked a forced conclusion. I t wouldn’t have worked so well without the acting of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. McAvoy plays a far more playful Xavier then were used to but in moments of fear, he shows the leadership skills that will eventually earn him the respect of mutants of all. Fassbender has always been said to be a talented actor, but it wasn’t until I saw him showing the struggles of Eric trying to get revenge did he finally win me over. His transformation isn’t very different in the beginning compared to the end, but it’s the roller-coaster of emotions he goes through in the middle that will impress you the most.
The other side-characters all add small tidbits to the story but one it comes to do it, they are unimportant compared to Eric and Charles. It was cool seeing how old faces like Beast and Mystique struggled with their appearance so much that they allowed it to consume the choices they make, but nothing about it felt like it was worthy of your time. The new team of X-Men was at their best when they were just using their powers in training or during battle. Pertaining to the villains, Kevin Bacon started off brilliant as a Nazi Officer Shaw and continued the momentum he established, but he was overshadowed by his crannies Riptide and Azazel; they provided some great looking kill shots that would have been absolutely dope had this been rated R, but still effective none the less. They seemed to be worthy adversaries for a change.
X-Men First Class injects a whole new life into a dying franchise. It may have been a prequel based off the original trilogy, but definitely established itself as its own separate franchise. Don’t get me wrong, I loved the first two and the cameos and references to them are fun and all, but I sort of wished they hadn’t existed because then this interpretation of the franchise wouldn’t be limited on the plot points of the other two. As you can tell I don’t even mention the last two entries into the franchise because in my book they don’t even exist. First Class isn’t better than the second installment, but it just about matches it in every way. Mathew Vaughn has earned himself a spot on the must watch list with yet another great piece of work. This is a film that all should watch, not just the comic book audience it heavily targeted.
Overall Score: 9/10
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