Let me lay this on the line, folks. I. Love. The. X-Men. I’ve always been a Marvel freak and I spent many, many Sunday mornings in my childhood glued to my TV, waiting for some of that sweet, sweet classic 90’s X-Men. I had piles of comics and action figures (some of which I still have and keep hidden in my secret box under the stai….dammit, now you all know...) and even now, as a 24-year-old millionaire, yacht owner and international man of mystery, I still read the comics, watch the movies and wear the shirts. There’s nothing wrong with being a man child. Aren’t nerds supposed to be chic right now?
Anyways, you’re here for a review, and boy have I got one for you. But, before that, let’s take a trip down memory lane. When the first X-Men film came out everyone was pleasantly surprised and enjoyed the film. It helped start the superhero movie trend that we’re still in (and enjoying the hell out of) to this day and has produced some awesome (The Dark Knight, Iron Man) and some not so good (The Fantastic 4, Spider-Man 3).
I, personally, enjoyed the first two X-Men movies (I’m not going to say that I liked the third one, I simply tolerate it) and thought that they did a great job with them. Sure, some origins were changed and stories altered, but that was necessary to make the story believable. Not everything translates from the insanity that is comics.
While I liked the X-Men films I have to admit that I was worried about what would happen with X-Men: First Class. Would the movie live up to the hype? Could they really change so many things and still keep the stories connected? Would I get to see the blue chick or January Jones naked? Almost all of these questions were answered (guess which one didn’t make the cut) and I have to say that, with only a few minor faults, X-Men: First Class may be one of the best movies Marvel has released yet.
X-Men: First Class, directed by Matt Vaughn (Kickass), is set in the 1960’s during the height of the Cold War. Humanity doesn’t yet know of the existence of mutants and one, Sebastian Shaw (Kevin bacon), is working behind the scenes and within both Governments to bring the world to Armageddon. Shaw is being hunted by Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Michael Fassbender), a survivor of the Holocaust and experiments committed by Shaw, and Charles Xavier/Professor X (James McAvoy), an idealistic young mutant who wants to stop Shaw from starting World War 3. After they discover that they can’t beat him and his team of mutants, Xavier and Lehnsherr join forces and recruit a team of their own.
So, I want to address the plot setting before anything else. I was incredibly impressed with the way that time and history was used to make the story convincing and factual. Placing the story in the middle of one of the tensest times in American history makes for a hell of a plot accelerator. The film uses historical events, such as the Cuban embargo, for dramtic situations and excellent battles. The last 30 minutes of the film uses history, special effects and sweet super hero beatdowns to perfect effect.
One of the film’s most important aspects is the Magneto’s revenge story. Captured and imprisoned by the Nazis as a child, Magneto was discovered by and experimented on by Shaw, who worked for the Nazis. After his eventual escape (or maybe release?...naw, he escaped in the most violent manner possible) Magneto begins hunting down Nazis all over the planet in his search for Shaw. Yup, you read that right. Magneto is a Nazi-hunting murder machine and I loved every minute of it. Seeing him threaten Swiss bankers and kick the crap out of aging Hitlerites in Brazil was awesome and only served to make the character that much better, but it’s his final fight with Shaw that made me damn near stand up and clap.
James McAvoy, on the other hand, isn’t quite as interesting, but he holds his own. Watching him use his powers to hit on women at the bar is pretty funny. On the other hand, the writers used this chance to place Mystique in to the story as Xavier’s childhood friend. This had some fanboys wondering how she could be alive in the 60’s and still super-ridiculous hot in the 2000’s (this is explained away by stating that her mutant gift makes her age slower, yay creative story writing). Mystique has a noticeable interest in Xavier, who doesn’t offer it back, causing her to draw within and be pulled in by Magneto’s views.
One particular scene I enjoyed was the first time that Xavier used Cerebro, the computer that amplifies his powers. Xavier and Magneto begin travelling the country, searching for mutants to join their team. This provides for introductions for the characters and a few notable cameos, including Hugh Jackman reprising his role as Wolverine for one hilarious and perfectly delivered line.
While there are plenty of things about this film I like and loved, there are always going to be a few tiny, almost insignificant things that bug me. Some back stories and characters were changed for the film (such as Havok, who is supposed to be the brother of Cyclops) and the mutant Azazel, the father of Nightcrawler, whos powers were altered for the film. Yeah, yeah, I know, these are whiny and nitpicky little things, but I’m a geek. There are also a few cringe inducing moments and lines that are badly or awkwardly delivered, but they’re ridden over by all the good parts so quickly that they almost don’t matter. Unless, of course, you’re me, an angry comic nerd who demands perfection *takes a hit of off inhaler, scratches neck beard*.
In the end, this is a great addition to the X-Men film library and will hopefully be an inspiration for future films. If the success of Kickass and X-Men: First Class proves anything it’s that Matt Vaughn should be allowed to handle superhero franchises. His slick directing, style and story telling make for great films. I advise seeing the film and celebrating another awesome piece of nerd history. Now all we have to look forward to is Captain America: The First Avenger. Cross your fingers and pray to whatever God you hold dear, folks, because I don’t think I can handle it if the movie sucks. No one wants to see the nerd rage!
4.5 of 5 Smilin’ Abes
Review written by Angry Movie Nerd
Writer, Editor, Nerd and Head Pancake Batter Mixer
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