title: X-MEN: FIRST CLASSyear: 2011
cast: Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Kevin Bacon
rating: ***1/2
A prequel that gets it right. While we know these characters will grow to be the X-MEN from the first three films (sans Wolverine, providing a humorous cameo), these younger versions excel within a completely involving tale. Michael Fassbender is a revenge-stricken Magneto (although his nickname comes later), wanting to kill the World War II era Nazi, played with menacing bravado by Kevin Bacon who, in the 1940s, helped his powers grow – by, in lesson number one, killing his mother. And a young Xaviar, played with maverick charm by James McAvoy, helps Magneto control his anger (kind of like a Jedi, but George Lucas could have learned about back-stories here).
Together they seek out a group of eclectically-skilled mutant teens: including a flame-thrower, a sonic-screamer, and a young scientist with hands on his feet (and the subtle angst of a future Beast). Not to forget a teenage Raven, having problems adapting to her true blue colors. Two montages work nicely: first seeking the students for “enrollment” and the other as they all train to counter the impending Cuban Missile Crisis – making these superheroes not only save the globe, but keeping both world powers intact on their Cold War platform: setting a stage for possible follow-ups with this fresh new cast. And while some of the youngsters seem out of a Twilight film acting-wise, their powers are cool – except for one girl who, with wings on her back, resembles a bionic Tinkerbell. But it’s Fassbender and McAvoy that own this film: both embodying the cerebral and physical traits of the two powerful mutant leaders destined to become enemies – but needing each other just the same.
Michael Fassbender is getting all the good roles of late. I like the jib of his sail, as they say, or is that the cut of his jib. Of course it was 300 that turned me on to Fassbender. I finally saw this for the first time the other day. I have no idea how this movie escaped my notice. I LOVED this movie. Much better than the travesty that was X-Men 3. I liked this as much the first X-Men movie and just about as much as the second. The fact they are going to make a second FIRST CLASS movie makes me even more happy.
ReplyDeleteAnother great review sir.