X-Men: First Class Review

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writers: Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Producers: Gregory Goodman, Simon Kinberg, Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Lawrence, Rose Byrne

The X-Men franchise set the standard for super hero movies back in 2000 when the first film was released. Since then there have been five X-Men movies that have dealt with the modern day X-Men and their struggles to survive in a world that does not understand them. First Class takes us back to the beginning before Charles Xavier (McAvoy) was Professor X and Erik Lehnsherr (Fassbender) was Magneto, although we do see them grow up before our very eyes.

The film takes place in the early 1960's when Charles and Erik are first starting to realize what they are capable of and that they are not alone. Instead of the government trying to oppress mutants like in the other films, they are trying to understand the concept that mutants do exist. Some government officials want to help Xavier while others are not convinced that mutants belong in the world. It does not help their cause when Sebastian Shaw (Bacon), a mutant with tremendous power to control energy, wants to turn the Americans and the Soviets against each other in an all out nuclear war.

First Class has a tremendous cast led by an upcoming star in their director Matthew Vaughn ("Kick-Ass," "Layer Cake"). McAvoy and Fassbender steal the show with their outstanding on-screen presence. Even Hugh Jackman makes a hilarious cameo as the riveting Wolverine. There is a true connection between the actors and the characters they portray. Vaughn clearly gets enough and then some from each one of his actors which is refreshing to see.

The script is intelligent, the characters are believable, and there is plenty of action to get the audience through the movie without it feeling like two hours have passed. I would say without the action, the movie would still be a breeze because the depth of the characters and the actors who personify them. However, action is what super hero movies are all about and this one brings the heat. The final battle with the X-Men against the military is a heart stopper. X-Men: First Class is by far the best movie of the franchise and possibly one of the best super hero movies to date.

Verdict: Must See
Grade: A