Today, the title says it all...
The founding of the X-Men is explored in this prequel (?) directed by Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Kick-Ass). James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender are Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, respectively. The two gifted mutants are brought together amidst the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962. A nefarious inner circle, led by a mutant named Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon), attempts to influence the U.S. and Soviet Union into nuclear war, hoping to wipe out the human race. Despite a very personal vendetta against Shaw, Erik helps Xavier put together a band of mutants, including Xavier's adopted sister, Raven (AKA Mystique, played by Jennifer Lawrence) to counter the threat. The events of the movie will lead the two friends into different paths: Lensherr as the hateful Magneto, and Xavier as the hopeful Professor X.
I wasn't one of those fans who showed up to X-Men: First Class opening weekend. I nearly gave up on the long-running film franchise after X-Men Origins: Wolverine. However, the overwhelming praise this film got compelled me to give it a chance. I really enjoyed the movie, but I could not for the life of me understand what X-Men: First Class was supposed to be. Is this a prequel or a reboot? There were too many design elements from the earlier X-Men movies- including footage and music from the first film- to be a reboot. And there were too many inconsistencies to make it a prequel. I really wanted to love it, but could not ignore the feeling the filmmakers were rather clumsy in coming up with a story in sync with the earlier movies.
As of right now, I'm still having trouble reconciling whether X-Men: First Class is a reboot or a prequel. Only with the release of Days of Future Past this May will that be resolved for me. Until then, it is only fair that First Class can be looked at on its own, as if no other X-Men movie existed.
By that criteria, X-Men: First Class is superb. It's From Russia with Love with superpowers. Vaughn's prowess as a filmmaker is on full display in the movie. The ensemble cast put together for First Class nearly trumps that of the original trilogy. McAvoy and Fassbender are a remarkable duo. Jennifer Lawrence is a standout as she takes the Mystique character to a whole new level. Henry Jackman's score for First Class is the best of the series.
Regardless of how Days of Future Past pans out, we can still have X-Men: First Class alone as the singular best X-Men film.
X-Men: First Class
5 out of 5 Cap Shields
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