cult film freak: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

Written by James M. Tate / 6/04/2011 / 1 Comment / blockbuster , marvel comics , prequel , superhero , tens

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS

6/04/2011 | 1 Comment

title: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
year: 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.

Share This Post :

Tags : blockbuster , marvel comics , prequel , superhero , tens

James M. Tate

1 comment:

Ripper MadnessJanuary 21, 2013 at 2:48 AM
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.

Another great review sir.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

FAVORITES SHORTLIST

1)OTLEY 2)HELL IS A CITY 3)ROBBERY 4)THE FEARMAKERS 5)CANYON PASSAGE 6)VIOLENT SATURDAY 7)HOT CARS 8)JUNGLE STREET 9)THE CROWDED SKY 10)THE ROARING TWENTIES 11) ANATOMY OF A MURDER 12)SHARKS' TREASURE 13)SWEENEY TWO 14)RAIDERS FROM BENEATH THE SEA 15)HARDCORE 16)THE BREAK 17)WHITE HEAT 18)AL CAPONE 19)HIDDEN FEAR 20)FALLEN ANGEL 21)NIGHT CREATURES 22)THE ASPHALT JUNGLE 23)ASH WEDNESDAY 24)THE SYSTEM 25)AIR PATROL 26)THE STONE KILLER 27)EASY LIVING 28)WILLIAM CONRAD'S BRAINSTORM 29)FRENZY 30)THE MAN FROM LARAMIE 1)DANA ANDREWS 2)JAMES CAGNEY 3)STANLEY BAKER 4)MARLON BRANDO 5)CHARLES BRONSON1)VIRGINIA MAYO 2)SUE LYON 3)GENE TIERNEY 4)MERRY ANDERS 5)FAYE DUNAWAY DIRECTORS 1)JACQUES TOURNEUR 2)RICHARD FLEISCHER 3)VAL GUEST 4)STANLEY KUBRICK 5)OTTO PREMINGER 6)ORSON WELLES 7)JOHN GUILLERMAN 8)JOHN LANDIS 9)JOHN CARPENTER 10)MICHAEL WINNER