"X-Men: First Class" (2011) film review

Hey reader!

Before they were growing jokes of mutant superhero films, they were amazing mutant superhero films. The fifth instalment of the X-Men franchise is here. But is that a good thing?

Check out below my views on the film, and for any other info on the film or franchise, see my pre-release post.

Brief Plot

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

Review

The thing I've loved about X-Men is the fact that it's a lack of reality (no matter how scientifically grounded it is) and being a superhero franchise which isn't faltered for not being 'real' (e.g. Nolan's Batman films, Iron Man, while films like The Incredible Hulk and Thor get that question - X-Men are simply accepted) however, what I love more about the films are the strong themes or story in them, making them particularly superb films (at times). Of course, awesome comic book characters combined with arse-kicking action helps! Let me tell you, the action is great through out, and for a surprisingly cheap CGI-heavy film (at only $120 million, compared to most at +$150 million), it pulls the punches.

X-Men will always stand apart from current superhero films for being the one that got the craze rolling back in 2000 (yes, Blade was released in 1998, but he wasn't connected as a superhero of comic book fame by the general audience) with the Bryan Singer-directed flick, X-Men. Who would imagine how far that film would take the superhero genre? We see it now, with quality superhero takes on many comic book-based characters, and some which aren't taken from comic books at all but simply inspired by (Hancock, The Incredibles) and what a title to claim. Its own franchise has spawn 2 direct sequels, a spin-off, and now the prequel. The story of Charles "Professor X" Xavier and Erik "Magneto" Lehnsherr is predominantly what this is, while I'm sure sequels in this new trilogy will give more focus to the X-Men team as a whole.

What I love about this film is that it takes itself serious, where it needs to be, and it's a big story which beautifully (for a film) 'continues' where the first X-Men started; the story of Erik's separation from his mother. From here, the film follows the growth of him and Charles in age and powers swiftly to its main era, the 60's. I saw the film, pretty much glued to it, scene for scene, loving the story, the action, the pace, the characters, and the little nudges to fans of the films/comic books. I however must profess I'm not a comic book follower of the team, though I have read various issues as a young'n and had almost religious seen the 90's animated TV show. I cannot comment on the relation to the history of the characters, and how First Class works with/against that.

I can however tell you that as a general fan of the franchise (I loved the first two, very mixed on the rest) the film hit notes perfectly. Is it the magic of Singer, director of the first two X-Men films, making a return even if just as a producer, the director (Matthew Vaughn) understanding the characters, or the studio giving this film the due attention it deserves? Maybe it was a combination. The film was spot on though in so many ways, it's ridiculous. The characters, a vast cast, superbly had their stories played together enough to fester interest in what happens to them, despite knowing the main characters to focus on would be Charles and Erik (X-Men Origins: Wolverine producers should take note.)

The actors made it work in a story of mutants making their presence known during a time of serious conflict and fear during the Cold War between USA and Russia, a wonderfully interwoven story which pieces together Erik's feelings and growth of love for mutants and hatred for humans, as well as Charles' opposite spectrum view of how humans and mutants can work together, an inspiring story of social respect to different people in this and the rest of the X-Men films (no matter how strongly or weakly it is presented) and is brought back/into this film by showing the spark of the mutants openly entering the world of humans.

With great music and a score done by Henry Jackman, you get a true sense of the 60's and X-Men vibe, as well as emotion in this film, by all characters but mostly by Charles and Erik, showing their bond of brotherhood, the attempt to uplift one another and bond strongly, and the inevitable divide. It has additionally interesting themes of revenge and community care, as well as deep friendship and acceptance. This is a journey that seems huge when I think of it now, but in reality paced and pieced together very well (other than a bit too swiftly like Thor) while fitting in time of how the two lead characters grew into their own, as well as their respective teams, with suited dialogue and great acting all around.

Vaughn did a superb job on a project whom I know many 'fans' who didn't believe in. I greatly enjoyed the little touches as well, the on-the-fly connections to the rest of the franchise, some awesome cameos, and a great look/nod to the X-Men colours of yellow and blue which went sorely missed in the first three films by hardcore fans. There were a few shortcomings, bits in the story which break continuity in the rest of the franchise, and small moments where things felt too obvious/expected, but otherwise its as near to perfect as a superhero film has been for me.

A great thing about this film is that it's enjoyable as a stand alone or as a continuity, it's a perfect balance, it raises the bar of quality that the first one made and the sequel cemented, and why do I appreciate it so highly? Because aside from being a film that works so well together as a whole, enjoyable in many, many ways, it's also managed to take the scientifically fictitious idea of mutant heroes and turned it into a respectable film and story - something that many directors will quickly shrug off as not something the viewer cannot enjoy/appreciate/watch/respect. Welcome the the next chapter in the evolution of mutants superhero films, ironically done by taking it back a few steps.

End Credits scene?

No

Overall Rating

In my opinion, it is the perfect balance of many things which makes the film enjoyable as a fan or general viewer, while working greatly as part of a franchise or alone, despite having a large pallet of what's going on, it managed to gel a film that is likeable as a film-watcher, and loveable as a fan. Biased fan review, perhaps, but it is enjoyable regardless as fan or otherwise.

9/10

Watch if You Liked...

• X-Men (2000)
• X-Men 2 (2003)
• X-Men franchise

How would you rate this film? How does it compete with the others in the franchise? Whose side would you choose - Prof X or Magneto? What is your feedback on the review? Break your silence and add to the comments!

-Harish, out