Making a prequel to an already successful franchise is agamble within itself. There are already expectations to what is expected and a preconceived notion on what a characterwill do that includes the storyline to back up there basis. It can pay off greatly like did Batman Begins& James Bond Casino Royale or it could tank like the Phantom Menace in StarWars. Is X-Men First Class going to liveup to expectation? Not only is the riskhigher by taking on a less experience director, Matthew Vaughn that has onlydirected 3 other movies, such as Kick Ass, Stardust and Layer Cake. So is therisk on a new edgier director beingthat good???
The movie is centered around two different stories thatultimately merge into one. It startswith the life of Charles Xavier played by James McAvoy (Wanted, Atonement) whowas educated and smart with his ability to read minds and learn the importanceof mutation. Then you have the secondstory which is more dark yet more intriguing to follow of Erick Lehnsherr whois also known as Magneto played by Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Bastards,300) and learning about his horrible experience in the concentration campsduring World War 2 and seeking his revenge on the Nazi leader who was played byKevin Bacon (Apollo 13, Mystic River) who manipulated his power through angerand hardship which ultimately Erik was seeking revenge for something’s I willlet you find out by watching the movie.
The movie goes towards unraveling a plot that Sebastian(Bacon’s character) has to try to start World War 3 by instigating the tensionin the cold war between the Soviets and America to ultimately gain control ofthe world. The problem was thatSebastian has already recruited some mutants as the seed of his army which washelping him succeed his goal and fight off the newly found X-Men who each have theirown personal conquest and goal in mind.
The companionship between Fassbender and McAvoy was veryspecial and neat to watch. It isn’tcommon to see on the screen such great chemistry between actors. This dual which we know later on equal onopposite sides is one of the best I have seen since Miami Vice with Colin Farrelland Jaime Fox companionship or a common bond but differences like Pacino andDeNiro in Heat. It was that tight and that good. Though they had different ideas andconvictions, they really brought the spark and interest to the next level forthe X-men series.
I really enjoyed the fact that they took the cold war andintermingled there story within it, and yet had fun with even having a cameo ofwolverine which was one of the funniest cameos I have seen in a while. What really surprised me in this film is thatit gives an excusable sense and understanding of Magneto’s hatred towards thehuman race and his reasons for it. Thisis one of the first prequels that made the other movies in the seriesbetter. For those who have asked if it is on the same pedestal of The Dark Knight, I would say no. Dark Knight is on its own level, and will be hard for any superhero movie to match the Dark Knight. Though, I really hope that they come out with another one with this same core group. It is fun, witty, and we better understand the concept of the X-Men. It is a must see.
Grade: A
If you liked this film, I recommend:
Batman Begins(2005)
Silverado (1985)
Lord of the Rings: Two Towers (2002)