There have been 2 great X-Men movies: X1 and X2. There have been 2 crappy X-Men movies: X3 and Wolverine. Everyone was skeptical for this movie, which began as X-Men Origins: Magneto, but turned into a prequel for the entire series. With Kickass director Matthew Vaughn and producer Bryan Singer, this was going to tip the scale either way. Can this movie take X-Men back to its glory? I've seen it, and here is my review.
Keep in mind that this is MY opinion of the movie. Your opinion may very well differ from mine.
Story
The story follows Erik Lensherr, the man who would become Magneto. He is on a quest for revenge against the Nazis responsible for his mother's death, particularily a man named Sebastian Shaw, a mutant who can absorb and discharge energy. Erik's quest for vengeance makes him cross paths with Charles Xavier, and the two join forces to bring Shaw to justice. They then form a team to help with this goal, including Mystique, Havok, Banshee, and Beast, However, as their battle continues, Charles and Erik's friendship slowly begins to splinter, as their goals go in opposite directions: one looking for unity, the other looking for domination.
This movie does what, in my opinion, no other X-Men movie could do for me: everyone is in a team, but they feel like a family. They all have to rely on each other, and each of them is a developed character. The hard thing about prequels is that often, you know how everything is going to end. As such, it is hard to become emotionally invested with the characters and what they're going through. This movie, however, nails it. We all know Charles and Erik are going to become enemies, and Erik will become Magneto, but you still feel for the two as they slowly realize that they can't work for the same cause. That, in my opinion, is masterful writing and storytelling. I'm pretty sure that First Class is pretending Wolverine and X3 didn't happen, as Emma Frost plays an active role in this, and the two leads part ways before meeting Jean at the beginning of X3. However, there are a couple of continuity errors for the first 2 movies as well. They're pretty minor, but still there.
Acting
Every actor does a good job in this movie. January Jones has been criticized for her void of emotion, cold portrayal of Emma Frost. However, Emma is a cold, cruel person, so in my opinion, that arguement is void. Jennifer Lawrence is great as Mystique, showing that she is equally drawn to both Charles and Erik's points of view, and being forced to choose. The rest of the cast does a good job as well. Kevin Bacon in particular does a great job in his over the top portrayal as Sebastian Shaw, who feels a lot like a James Bond villain.
However, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender steal the show as Charles and Erik. Every scene James is in is awesome, every scene Michael is in is awesome, and every scene that the two share is downright amazing. The friendship between Charles and Erik is done perfectly between the two. Much like Patrick Stewart and Ian Mckellen stole the show in the other X-Men movies, James and Michael do just as good, if not BETTER, than their counterparts.
Presentation
The first thing I noticed was that the first scene of the movie is an almost shot-for-shot remake of the first movie. Their attention to detail was amazing for that scene. That was when I knew that this would be a great movie.
The special effects are pretty 'meh'. However, it depends all on the scope of how they're used. For example, the scene in the trailers where Erik lifts a submarine out of the water; scenes with THAT kind of scope are great. However, the scenes that use basic effects, are pretty bad at times. In particular, the makeup for the Beast is great. When he starts talking though.....
There have been complaints about being loyal to the comics. In particular, how the First Class in the movies, wasn't the First Class in the comics. I hate people who complain about things like that. The movies take place in their own universe. As such, they can do what they want with the characters, they don't have to be page-for-page translations of comics. If you want that, read a comic, don't watch the movie, and don't complain.
Verdict
So I give X-Men First Class a:
9.5/10
I'm certain that I will have a lot of people disagree with me on my verdict. The thing is, though, I always just 'liked' X-Men. I never saw it as great as everyone else thought they were. This is the first X-Men movie I loved. Everything is done right. The acting is amazing, the story is amazing, there's a lot of action, a lot of humour, a lot of drama, everything is there. There are a couple of continuity errors, and the effects could have been better, but that's just nitpicking on my part. Take my word, and see this movie.
So, have you seen X-Men First Class? Was I too harsh or too leniant? Did I miss anything? Let me know.
There have been 2 great X-Men movies: X1 and X2. There have been 2 crappy X-Men movies: X3 and Wolverine. Everyone was skeptical for this movie, which began as X-Men Origins: Magneto, but turned into a prequel for the entire series. With Kickass director Matthew Vaughn and producer Bryan Singer, this was going to tip the scale either way. Can this movie take X-Men back to its glory? I've seen it, and here is my review.
Keep in mind that this is MY opinion of the movie. Your opinion may very well differ from mine.
Story
The story follows Erik Lensherr, the man who would become Magneto. He is on a quest for revenge against the Nazis responsible for his mother's death, particularily a man named Sebastian Shaw, a mutant who can absorb and discharge energy. Erik's quest for vengeance makes him cross paths with Charles Xavier, and the two join forces to bring Shaw to justice. They then form a team to help with this goal, including Mystique, Havok, Banshee, and Beast, However, as their battle continues, Charles and Erik's friendship slowly begins to splinter, as their goals go in opposite directions: one looking for unity, the other looking for domination.
This movie does what, in my opinion, no other X-Men movie could do for me: everyone is in a team, but they feel like a family. They all have to rely on each other, and each of them is a developed character. The hard thing about prequels is that often, you know how everything is going to end. As such, it is hard to become emotionally invested with the characters and what they're going through. This movie, however, nails it. We all know Charles and Erik are going to become enemies, and Erik will become Magneto, but you still feel for the two as they slowly realize that they can't work for the same cause. That, in my opinion, is masterful writing and storytelling. I'm pretty sure that First Class is pretending Wolverine and X3 didn't happen, as Emma Frost plays an active role in this, and the two leads part ways before meeting Jean at the beginning of X3. However, there are a couple of continuity errors for the first 2 movies as well. They're pretty minor, but still there.
Acting
Every actor does a good job in this movie. January Jones has been criticized for her void of emotion, cold portrayal of Emma Frost. However, Emma is a cold, cruel person, so in my opinion, that arguement is void. Jennifer Lawrence is great as Mystique, showing that she is equally drawn to both Charles and Erik's points of view, and being forced to choose. The rest of the cast does a good job as well. Kevin Bacon in particular does a great job in his over the top portrayal as Sebastian Shaw, who feels a lot like a James Bond villain.
However, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender steal the show as Charles and Erik. Every scene James is in is awesome, every scene Michael is in is awesome, and every scene that the two share is downright amazing. The friendship between Charles and Erik is done perfectly between the two. Much like Patrick Stewart and Ian Mckellen stole the show in the other X-Men movies, James and Michael do just as good, if not BETTER, than their counterparts.
Presentation
The first thing I noticed was that the first scene of the movie is an almost shot-for-shot remake of the first movie. Their attention to detail was amazing for that scene. That was when I knew that this would be a great movie.
The special effects are pretty 'meh'. However, it depends all on the scope of how they're used. For example, the scene in the trailers where Erik lifts a submarine out of the water; scenes with THAT kind of scope are great. However, the scenes that use basic effects, are pretty bad at times. In particular, the makeup for the Beast is great. When he starts talking though.....
There have been complaints about being loyal to the comics. In particular, how the First Class in the movies, wasn't the First Class in the comics. I hate people who complain about things like that. The movies take place in their own universe. As such, they can do what they want with the characters, they don't have to be page-for-page translations of comics. If you want that, read a comic, don't watch the movie, and don't complain.
Verdict
So I give X-Men First Class a:
9.5/10
I'm certain that I will have a lot of people disagree with me on my verdict. The thing is, though, I always just 'liked' X-Men. I never saw it as great as everyone else thought they were. This is the first X-Men movie I loved. Everything is done right. The acting is amazing, the story is amazing, there's a lot of action, a lot of humour, a lot of drama, everything is there. There are a couple of continuity errors, and the effects could have been better, but that's just nitpicking on my part. Take my word, and see this movie.
So, have you seen X-Men First Class? Was I too harsh or too leniant? Did I miss anything? Let me know.
baylaust out.