It’s been a rocky road for the house of Xavier these past two films, but I’m glad to report that reboot is off to a great start. X-Men: First Class does something that fewer and fewer action films seem to doing these days, telling meaningful stories delivered by compelling acting while still adding impressive visual effects. Far too many films try to fit a semblance of story between explosive action sequences, instead of just making a complete story and then adding awesome visuals to compliment it.
First Class tells the story of how it all happened, where Charles Xavier meets his lifelong friend and archenemy Erik Lehnsherr and how they are called upon to use their unique abilities to help save mankind. Their team is made up of mostly unknowns to the X-Men films with the exception of Mystique and Beast.
Story
This film is set approximately 50 years prior to the other films, but it still holds to the original story framework and even uses a scene from the first X-Men. So the continuity of all the films is still together. I felt that Wolverine Origins tried too hard to make all of the story fit, but First Class’ story fits well and wasn’t obvious that they were trying to make it all work.
You see the harsh treatment that Erik was put through that make him into the world’s most feared mutant, Magneto. You get to compare his trials with the more gentle upbringing of Xavier. Eventually the two meet and begin a fierce friendship; one that understands we don’t have agree on everything to cherish one another. The strength of their friendship really comes through and it’s something I’m going to miss with the next film. Charles is desperately trying to have Erik let go of his anger and wrong intentions for humanity, and it truly pains him when Erik takes further steps into being an evil person.
Another great story that takes place is seeing the levels of just what it is to be ‘different’. The mutants talk about how hard it to be different in a world of humans and how they just wish people would treat them normally. Then you have these same mutants who look differently upon the other mutants who are unfortunate to have physical differences, namely Mystique (Raven) and Beast (Hank).
If the friendship story wasn’t so good, I could easily see Raven’s struggles supersede the main storyline. She must learn to accept the way she is and have others accept it even though she has the ability to shape shift. You also gain a further admiration for the man who will become Magneto in the way he encourages and accepts Raven for the dimpled blue mutant she is.
Acting
Most of the actors in X-Men: First Class aren’t household names, with the exception of Sir Kevin Bacon, but despite that the acting was above par. The casting of Xavier and Lehnsherr was great and they have a true chemistry that lets them work well together. These two really stole the show, as they should, in their scenes.
Most of the other heroes had a minor role, with the exception of Raven and Hank having a few extra scenes due to their story mentioned above. All of the X-Men filled their role well and no one brought down a scene due to poor acting.
On the villain side, I only have one real complain about the actors. And it isn’t so much I believe this person was a bad actor, just that she shouldn’t have been cast for the role. January Jones was cast as Emma Frost, yet she seemed to lack some the inherit traits of the White Queen. Emma Frost commands a dominate presence at all times, yet Ms. Jones wasn’t able to pull it off with quite the aplomb needed. She always seemed to be a bit reserved and didn’t project the reality distortion field that Emma Frost would posses. My movie buddy and I discussed who could fill that roll and the best we could come up with is Kate Beckinsale.
Closing
If you’ve been burnt out on the past two X-Men film and are skeptical about this one, I urge you to go watch it. I think you will feel better. I’d like to tell you it’s the best of the franchise, but I love X2 so much so I just can’t do it. So far though, it is the best film of the summer.
If you’ve watched it, let me know what you thought on Twitter or Facebook.
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