Friday, June 17, 2011

X-Men: First Class - Review


Although it can't escape the occasional silliness of, you know, pretty girls with dragon fly wings or redhead boys flying by, um, screaming at a really high pitch, Matthew Vaughn's X-Men prequel is a solid comic book adaptation, and an even better period drama.

With a very smartly picked young cast led by heavyweights James McAvoy & Michael Fassbender, as Charles Xavier (soon to be Dr X) & Erik Lehnsherr (soon to be Magneto), respectively, Vaughn makes sure the action is grounded in well-developed characters and a very well-plotted finale.

James McAvoy shows the future Dr Xavier's greatness, but also the young Charles Xavier's arrogance & stubbornness.

Michael Fassbender, on the other hand, does Ian McKellen proud with a fully relatable soon-to-be villain. He makes you understand the pain behind the cold intensity & haunted eyes that burn up the screen. Although we know his fate, Fassbender makes us feel the battle for Erik's soul as if it may end well.


Kudos also to Mad Men's January Jones who manages to add at some depth to blonde ice queen, & comic book sex symbol, Emma Frost.

A decent comic book action film but, even better, a great character drama.

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