[Review] X-Men: First Class - 20th June 2011

★

★

★

★

★

★ - Worth Watching [For rating system, see information tab at top of blog]

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Release Date: 1st June 2011
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Director: Matthew Vaughn
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Writers: Ashley Miller - Zach Stentz - Jane Goldman - Matthew Vaughn (Screenplay) Sheldon Turner - Bryan Singer (Story)
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Cast: James McAvoy - Michael Fassbender - Kevin Bacon - Jennifer Lawrence - Rose Byrne

Review

‘X-Men: First Class’, the fifth installment in the ‘X-Men’ films, has brought a welcomed change to the saga. The film is the second prequel, ‘X-Men Origins: Wolverine’ being the first. This prequel has seen a complete change in cast, as it is explaining the origins of the older characters; Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto).

The film follows how Xavier and Lensherr set up the famous X-Men school, and from this, a team of elite mutants that aid the CIA in the capture of the first mutant archenemy; Sebastian Shaw.

For anyone who is a fan of the X-Men films; ‘First Class’ will have been received positively. The narrative flows effectively, it is not disjointed and answers the questions fans will have relating to the origins of the original X-Men films – thus fulfilling one of the purposes of a prequel. In terms of a stand-alone film, ‘X-Men: First Class’ is entertaining and well made, the direction from Matthew Vaughn being of a high quality whilst maintaining some of the key conventions the other ‘X-Men’ films created.

In terms of casting, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon and Jennifer Lawrence produced successful performances in their leading roles, portraying the developing relationships between the characters in a believable way. Secondary roles from January Jones, Nicholas Hoult and Rose Byrne are also effective, creating the screen chemistry that is needed in any film.

A further positive with 'X-Men: First Class' is its 1960's setting - taking into consideration the age of Magneto and Xavier in the first X-Men films, there was no other option but to do this. However it was still used to great effect. The various scenes throughout the film portrayed a realistic depiction of the era. By incorporating actual events that occurred at the time within the narrative of the story, the realism of the overall film is enhanced.

There is, however, one criticism I would make with the film’s continuity. Though it is both well made and performed, at times I find it hard to relate the characters portrayed in this prequel, with those in the previous ‘X-Men’ films – Magneto and Mystique being the main examples.

Michael Fassbender portrayed Magneto as very angry and impulsive, whereas in the previous films Ian McKellen portrays him as a much more controlled character. This however, is something that could possibly be overlooked, as arguably the character has changed with age; and both McKellen and Fassbender do play Magneto with same intrinsic set of principles and prejudices.

Mystique’s character transformation is, however; debatable  – In the original films she is portrayed as inhuman. She has little dialogue, and shows no compassion for anything other than magneto’s agenda. At one stage in ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’ she refers to a human as a ‘Homosapien’ in a very derogatory manner. This portrayal is completely in contrast to the way Jennifer Lawrence plays Mystique in ‘X-Men: First Class’. Whilst her performance is perfectly acceptable, she is presented as a compassionate, conscientious character, which totally opposes that seen in the prequel. Though it could still be argued that characters change over time, Mystique seems to have made too much of a transformation.

‘X-Men: First Class’ – An entertaining, well-made film with one or two debatable continuity problems, an issue that can be overlooked. In many ways, this prequel is the best of the saga.