X-Men First Class

Film: X-Men: First Class
Genre: Sci-Fi/Action
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Year: 2011
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, & Kevin Bacon



When it comes to superhero teams, the X-Men have always been my favorite. Whether they be Uncanny, Astonishing, or adjetivelss, I love them all, Something about being society's outcasts, yet still fighting to protect it strikes a chord in me. Started in 1963, the series has had its ups and downs, the films of which reflect this very pattern.

In 1962, the powerful and secretive Hellfire Club have their fingers in a lot of pies, greatly influencing the turn of political events, and possibly changing the course of mankind. Mutants Charles Xavier(McAvoy), and Erik Lehnsherr (Fassbender) are recruited by the CIA to battle the Hellfire club led by Sebastian Shaw (Bacon.) In the process Xavier and Lehnsherr recruit young mutants (people with super-powers) like themselves to help aid in the fight against Shaw and his team. The battle ends up to its apex which might start a nuclear war between the United States, and Soviet Union.

This film is a prequel to the other four X-Men films made by FOX, and it finds a way to work itself around many of the already established characters, and plots seen in previous films. The only major conflict deals with Wolverine: Origins, but we can simply ignore that one if need be. What few problems I have with the film, may only effect those who are big fans of the comic series. These complaints are as follows:
1. Moria McTaggart is a Scottish geneticist, NOT an American CIA agent.
2. Banshee is a middle-aged Irishman. (I can forgive the age, seeing as everyone is supposed to be young.)
3. Sebastian Shaw's powers were tweaked slightly, but if anything this makes the character work better in the film.
4. Havok is Cyclops' younger brother, but according to the film's logic, Havok would be a full grown man when Cyclops is born.

Aside from my few fan boy complaints, this film is fantastic. It is a great introduction to the series, with fantastic writing and performances. While McAvoy is the main protagonist, Fassbender as Lehnsherr is the film's true star, on par, if not better than Sir Ian McKellen's portrayal of the same character. One more blemish is the inclusion of some seemingly needless characters, but this has become a staple of the series, as it feels the need to include as many characters as possible.



The effects in the film are also superb, both the practical and computer generated. Following in the footsteps of the previous films the practical make-up is beyond good, making you believe that these people really look this way. Namely the make-up of the characters of Mystique, and Azazel are top-notch.




Memorable moments:

• The montage showing Xavier training his X-Men. Primarily Banshee learning how to fly using his supersonic screams with gilding wings on his suit.

• Wolverine's unaccredited cameo.