As soon as the movie started, they had me. Hook, line and sinker. What can I say? I didn’t even realize how much I was looking forward to it. X-Men: First Class is the prequel to the other X-Men films and what’s special, is that whether or not you have seen the other films is irrelevant to the enjoyment of this one. So if you haven’t seen it, here’s the low down. There are people in the world with special abilities who call themselves mutants. Charles (James McAvoy, Atonement) is a university grad student studying genetic mutation. He and others are called upon by the U.S. Government to help stop a rogue mutant (Kevin Bacon!!!) from instigating war between the U.S. and Russia in the 1960s.
The cast was simply amazing. I hadn’t really seen anything with James McAvoy, but I can certainly see his appeal now. He is charming without being smarmy. Michael Fassbender as Erik, aka Magneto, was so dreamy, uh, I mean very intense and dark. (Yeah, he’s a celebrity crush of mine.) He really was good though. The only person that didn’t really impress me was January Jones as Emma Frost. I didn’t quite understand her. She seemed very cardboardy and just another pretty face. Jennifer Lawrence was a little flat as well. I wanted more emotion.
Erik (Michael Fassbender), Banshee (Caleb Landry Jones), Charles (James McAvoy), Moira (Rose Byrne), Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) and Havok (Lucas Till) join forces to prevent the greatest disaster the world has ever known. Photo: Murray Close - TM and ©2011 Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Not for sale or duplication.
The style of the film is also what got me. Sure, it’s the 1960s, but they didn’t go crazy with the wardrobe. (Well, Emma Frost is dressed like a go-go dancer, but it actually worked.) It was just enough to put you in the 1960s, and didn’t take you out of the moment. It was more 1960s inspired that straight up 1960s.
Can Michael Ironside be considered a cameo? How about Oliver Platt? James Remar? There are so many great tiny roles that are given to great actors. I loved it. There are plenty more, and it’s so awesome for those of us who spot them. Fantastic.
It did run a little long, but honestly, I didn’t care. I wanted more. I could have watched it for another hour. It’s wonderful how the genre is elevating. I love this new breed of director that is able to give us great superhero movies that are smart and really enjoyable. So excited for The Avengers now. Thank you, Matthew Vaughn. Thank you.
Rating: Go see it, you won’t regret it. 8/10
Recent Comments