X-MEN: First Class

X-MEN: First Class
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
Cast: James McAvoy as Charles Xavier
Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnscherr / Magneto
Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw
Rose Byrne as Moira MacTaggert
Jennifer Lawrence as Raven / Mystique
January Jones as Emma Frost
Rated PG-13


*The following may contain spoilers*
Ah, comic books; Hollywood's latest fallback. However, as the studio executives have learned, they are indeed a fickle mistress. With all of the obsessed, nerdy fanboys who pin their few hopes and dreams on these films and leave their mothers basements to see them, the possibility of a fan riot is very high, Needless to say, these movies really can't afford to be terrible. At least, that's what we keep trying to tell them.
It hasn't always worked...

However, X-Men: First Class seems to be shuttling in a new era for comic book films. With an outstanding cast, amazing depiction of the story and great pacing, First Class seemed to encompass everything that the terrible comic movies were lacking.

Set in the 1960's, First Class takes place before the events of the previous X-Men movies and presumably before Origins: Wolverine (poster above), though they do all of us a favor and just ignore that entire trainwreck of a film.

First Class tells the original tale of how they X-Men came to be, tracing all the way back to the childhood of the two most famous mutants; Professor X and Magneto. It is here that the heroes become truly human. It is here that we learn who Charles was before his wheelchair and his school, who Erik was before and how he became Magneto.

Starting when they were children and moving quickly into adulthood, the film follows the two men as they first join forces, gather a team and face their first enemy, setting the stage for the greatest mutant rivalry ever.

What I Liked: 
In case it wasn't clear above, I am one of the obsessed fanboys who loves these movies. These films bounce between great to terrible with very little space in between. And the first three X-Men movies landed closer to terrible. Thankfully, X-Men: First Class faith in the entire franchise.

Encompassing everything that most comic book movies lack, First Class goes deeper than special effects and witty dialogue. It truly does the characters justice as we watch them grow and become the heroes they were supposed to be.

The writing was also very solid, something else other super-movies have considered optional. Tackling something that most comics are afraid of, First Class combines the fictional story with an actual historic event and does it well. The real-life tie-in does a lot to ground the plot and I found myself almost believing that the Cuban Missile Crisis actually had a mutant-provided solution.

Marvel does a lot to respect their fans, specifically throwing in numerous "Easter eggs" and hints about other movies inside each one, especially in all the Avenger build up movies. First Class is no exception, even though it isn't a part of a "series" per say. Instead, they throw in subtle tie-ins to the first three X-Men movies, such as a brief cameo from Wolverine and the original Mystique (separately) and a glimpse of a young Storm. It's the little things that really make the movie a fanboy's dream come true. And not just in cameos. The scenes that previously existed only in our imaginations (such as the first time Xavier dons Cerebro or when Magneto puts on his classic helmet and cape) bring forth a certain euphoria when they're realized visually on the screen. It truly is a wonderful experience.

What I Didn't Like:
The X-Men have always been touted as a somewhat "pro-Gay" comic group, given that they're the oddities fighting against normal people. This isn't helped by the repeated phrase "Mutant and Proud" or the closeness of Erik and Charles in their friendship. Then, there's that little bit about Charles "leaving a void" in Erik's life that he needs a woman to fill...
Needless to say, some might say that there is an overtly "pro-Gay" overtone.

I also would have preferred if they had stuck more to the original X-Men team (Angel [the boy], Cyclops and Jean Grey, as well as Beast). However, based on the subtle tie-ins mentioned above and the fact that one of the mutant team members is named Alex Summers. Though originally created as Scott Summer's (aka trilogy, these theories just might become a reality.

Final Thoughts:
As I said, this movie encompasses everything that most hero movies lack. Eloquently combining character development, solid plotline, great cast and classic heroes, First Class is the rare gem in the seemingly endless mine of superhero movies. Not only is it great for newcomers and fans of the first three movies, its great for the die-hard fans as well.

Once again, it's the little moments that really impress me and this movie has all of them. The unseen moments are now visible and the cast portrays them perfectly. In this, the film becomes so much more than just another superhero movie.

We see Charles take in his first stray mutant, we see Erik make his first kill. It is here that the characters come alive for the first time. It's an incredibly difficult time to portray on film but the director's and cast handled it beautifully, making every emotion and difficult decision real and human. Truly, the greatest moments were those one-on-one interactions between Erik and Charles as we see the friendship build and then unravel.

It's those interactions that we pay for, those are what we want to see. It's the beginnings of the greatest hero and the greatest villain that we wished for; everything else is just filler. As we knew it would, all good things must come to an end and the innocence of a new friendship must eventually collide with the reality that everyone knows. And they couldn't have done it any better.

When Should You See It?
Right now.
Whether you've never seen any of the movies or read all the comics, this movie is sure to please some part of your nerdy heart.

Personal Rating: 9 of 10
Plot: 9 of 10
Sexuality/Sensuality: 3 of 10
Drugs/Alcohol: 2 of 10