X-Men: First Class: Review By Bane. Ferguson

X-Men First Class

Reviewed: Zak Ferguson

Unique, original, fresh! Everything we want from an X-Men movie is here in plain sight, the lore more evolved. Though rushed, seemingly trying to get to the main arch of the leads rivalry out in the open, sadly not fulfilling what was promised. But still an authentic very noir stylish piece of film making, delivered with a generic vibe. Wistful, new, very British, very straight laced, though with some minor faults with the ropey dialogue and opening it is a very well accomplished film helmed by one of my favourite Directors Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass), giving this not only alas the scale of a usual Superhero movie but toned down.

In spots it feels episodic, also as i have aforementioned rushed, not very tamed, not broadened. These two characters already well established by two grand actors. their aura, personalities and deep sentimentality and affection for each other not as well captured or translated into sense here, a fault in continuity are more or less just thrown together into a very "predictable" establishment/set piece.

So who here is placing his ass on the Professors Chair? Well not much here with Charles Xavier, a very prone sophisticated lad, clad in a tux, tongue tying glamorous women with his dazzling charm of both intelligence and sheer power of being telekinetik. Its James Mcavoy, a well built very masculine slight fellow of both broad mind and higher thoughts, wanting a future for the now evolving mutants. What Mcavoy does sublimely is captures this pre-monks status and characteristics to its full heights, of a bit of a player, but still embroiled in a world of loathing and terribly temperament to his KIND! James gives him heart soul, but sadly is let down near the end with the slight script that turns from general Jane Goldman/Vaughn mastery, bland humour, sarcasm, and very temp lyricism turned in for slated blunt trash, or whether its were the stories rushed finalisation or not.

Whose Mr. Magneto , oh its only just Michael Fassbender, giving Magneto this rash brusque haunted damned demeanor, a demise, that is releasable but plaintively over used. But here McKellen will be proud, both a new fresh take on this dark hearted individual also this lightness, a character that had never formed due to his inhibited vulnerable state of mind. Magneto you can see could breech of and evolve and become what McKellen made him, here we see Erik's transformation, though it is quick, having been smarter to set more of a more structural plate to why he became the man he was, not just to this one inhabiting situation. TO see the humans grow more immersed and juvenile would have been better, also to establish a more kinetic and structural realistic relationship between both him and Charles, where in the film they nod at each other, a day later turn out to be best of pals, Charles "best" friend. But you could usher that off with Charles talent to attach himself to you mentally and form a bond, i don't know if it deliberate or just plain sightedly brushed off?!

The story sees Charles And Erik going through both their childhoods, where Charles is secured but inquisitive and makes a bond with a young thief who he unofficial names his sister, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) a shape shifting beauty, unawares of the love mutants could have, the love of a kind she has not found and seems she never will. Then there's young Jewish Erik, depicted as a lost soul, motherless after a death, driving him to the edge to perform the miracle he did when separated from his mother between the gates. Sebastien Shaw (Kevin Bacon-on top form in all his career) taunting, teaching dividing young Erik between love family and a fraternal state of being a guinea pig (this is the divine intuitive for the story, revenge and the growing of Xavier's fondness for mutant evolution).

Through the years they meet under pure "ironic/predictable" coincidence, where Sebastian years later with Emma Frost and his league of conniving mutants set out to conquer earths power sources plans are thwarted. From here a team is created (the lowest part of this film) a fast get together, a league a team of mutants consisting of young Hank McCoy/ Beast finding love, and a passion for mechanics and science. This is run through, and there aren't very memorable mutants in it, new, different, but to have these villains shown off then ushered away easily enough like that is just ridiculous. They set up this timeless team, story, though unmemorable team of mutants, far unimposing, they feel, its done dusted lets bump them off.

Through the faults Matthew maintains this pace, though its bumps, the finale is something else, also the greatest most unexpected cameo in a while along, its a terrific, if episodic film, its has heart soul, and is very stylish has great visuals.

Beautiful photography from John Mathieson, that gives the film its very brilliantly 60's set designed theme very fresh new, often quite Fleming vibe, like an old Sean Connery movie! The score was very heightened and went over the sound effects as much as i didn't really think was needed by Henry Jackman.

The visuals are very well crafted, in such a short space of time, having this film prepped, filmed, edited, trimmed, polished, sweetened all in less than half a year! Vaughn doesn't usher it away, he keeps it there, still quite coring in places, it's a very light film, not dark, undertone with the lighting .All main action set pieces in daylight, this shimmering photography, making immense war and violence look slick, cool, making it look appealing to be a mutant superhero fighting against nuclear Armageddon. With all of its set designs, mixed and grounded in reality of the sassy 60's, the Russian decor, the shimmering diamonds of January Jones Emma Frost everything has a resistant fell, though not photorealistic but masterfully caught up within this insane world, not set out to be realistic or delved in reality, but still an ounce of heart and real character gives it its realism. The characters give it strength of the highest order, not the visuals or actions chorography. Though on all forms this film is a very well executed piece of filmmaking, and is the best superhero movie since 08's IRONMAN.

This has a different motif than other superhero movies, but after all my blabbering about the rushing about the establishing bits its still a very through film, very much linked to Singers first two films. Though the thirds continuity's will not go unabashed not in the least will it ever be considered an X-Men film.

A great opening for a hopefully very successful trilogy, and actually i am excited to see where Vaughn will take it, take a long peek at Magnetos costume, something different, possibly being very through with being true to the comics possibly. Stylish, exegetic, but not very well at accomplishing the estalbishing friendship between Erik and Charles, but perfectly acted, very well thought through, key to being faithful, just a very new gem of a film.