X-Men: First Class (2011)
- Matt O'Brien
Cast -
James McAvoy ..............................Charles Xavier/Professor X
Michael Fassbender ..................Erik/Magneto
Kevin Bacon......................................Sebastian Shaw
Jennifer Lawrence.........................Raven/Mystique
January Jones ...................................Emma Frost
Following the rather lax offering that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the fifth release in Marvels X-Men franchise has definitely reinvigorated the series. In this film we go back to where it all began, chronicling the exploits of a young Dr Xavier (McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr – later Magneto (Fassbender).
We start off with Erik who is captured by the Nazi’s in WWII, he is cruelly experimented on by German scientist Sebastian Shaw (a brilliantly cast Bacon), while we cross to Xavier who seems to be a genius “party boy” of sorts. We soon see that behind his extraverted personality lies a philanthropist who genuinely cares for others, while on the other side on the coin we have Erik who starts out the innocent victim who through the trauma he had received during childhood for being a mutant, begins to show his short temper and distaste of humans.
The two however form a tight bond when Xavier saves Erik’s life and In turn shows him that he doesn’t need to go it alone. They join forces with the CIA to combat Sebastian Shaw, who’s turned his attention to the escalating cold war between the US and Soviet Union, cleverly using the Cuban missile crisis as a central plot point. Shaw plans to create a world of mutants powered by the resulting nuclear fallout of an all-out conflict between the superpowers. We get to meet some new characters, like Azazel (the teleporting demon) and some old favourites, like the young Mystique (Lawrence), resulting in some very interesting and refreshing confrontations.
The entire cast delivered a great performance, yet Michael Fassbender was spectacular in his portrayal of the young Magneto, exuding charisma and an amazing screen presence, he commands your attention in every scene. Oliver Platt and Jennifer Lawrence are superb in supporting roles, while January Jones and Rose Byrne provide the eye candy and not much else. The story is definitely compelling and the action is amazing but the acting really elevated this film far above a common big budget comic book movie.
One of the best movies this year....
James McAvoy ..............................Charles Xavier/Professor X
Michael Fassbender ..................Erik/Magneto
Kevin Bacon......................................Sebastian Shaw
Jennifer Lawrence.........................Raven/Mystique
January Jones ...................................Emma Frost
Following the rather lax offering that was X-Men Origins: Wolverine, the fifth release in Marvels X-Men franchise has definitely reinvigorated the series. In this film we go back to where it all began, chronicling the exploits of a young Dr Xavier (McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr – later Magneto (Fassbender).
We start off with Erik who is captured by the Nazi’s in WWII, he is cruelly experimented on by German scientist Sebastian Shaw (a brilliantly cast Bacon), while we cross to Xavier who seems to be a genius “party boy” of sorts. We soon see that behind his extraverted personality lies a philanthropist who genuinely cares for others, while on the other side on the coin we have Erik who starts out the innocent victim who through the trauma he had received during childhood for being a mutant, begins to show his short temper and distaste of humans.
The two however form a tight bond when Xavier saves Erik’s life and In turn shows him that he doesn’t need to go it alone. They join forces with the CIA to combat Sebastian Shaw, who’s turned his attention to the escalating cold war between the US and Soviet Union, cleverly using the Cuban missile crisis as a central plot point. Shaw plans to create a world of mutants powered by the resulting nuclear fallout of an all-out conflict between the superpowers. We get to meet some new characters, like Azazel (the teleporting demon) and some old favourites, like the young Mystique (Lawrence), resulting in some very interesting and refreshing confrontations.
The entire cast delivered a great performance, yet Michael Fassbender was spectacular in his portrayal of the young Magneto, exuding charisma and an amazing screen presence, he commands your attention in every scene. Oliver Platt and Jennifer Lawrence are superb in supporting roles, while January Jones and Rose Byrne provide the eye candy and not much else. The story is definitely compelling and the action is amazing but the acting really elevated this film far above a common big budget comic book movie.
One of the best movies this year....
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