Review of X-Men: First Class (2011) by Brendan C — 17 Sep 2013

I have only scene the first X-Men film, The Wolverine, and this movie, but of the X-Men films I have seen I would definitely say this was the best one. I liked is the best for several reasons. I liked it's plot, it's cast, and characters a lot. They did this film when they thought that the franchise was going to end, because of two disappointing films in a row. This film was good enough to do a Wolverine sequel, and a sequel for this movie. X-Men: First Class is what really saved this franchise. I would say it is by far the best of the franchise.

It has a very interesting plot that builds suspense for the inevitable war that happens at the end. The film puts together a few different stories and characters and brings them together. It starts off in Poland, 1944 when Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) observes Erik Lensherr bend a metal gate with his mind when he is separated from his Mother. Shaw kills Lensherr's Mother once he can't move a coin, which makes him destroy the office out of anger with his powers. Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) meets Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) in his kitchen, and makes her his foster sister. That is how the whole story got started. Then it cuts to 18 years later, and things are very different. Charles and Raven are really close now, but Raven is insecure about being a mutant. She takes the form of a beautiful girl to hide what she really looks like. They end up meeting other mutants, and forming a group. It is a very detailed story, with a lot going on.

It is a big improvement from the original X-Men. It is an improvement in story, acting, and the action is better in my opinion. The story was more interesting, and it grabbed me very quickly, which the original didn't grab me at all. The acting was better, due to the fact that it had cast members like Kevin Bacon, and Jennifer Lawrence. Well I am just going to come out and say that she is by far my favorite actress for many reasons. I have had a few people on this site recognize that base doff of what I say about her in other reviews, but now I am just going to say that I just think she is just amazing. This is the first time that she did something that wasn't an indie film. She pulled off acting in a big blockbuster beautifully as I think she does with every role she ever takes on. Kevin Bacon was just as good as he always is. He played the antagonist very well. He made a great villain. Everybody else was good, but those are the two people I wanted to point out.

I also found that everything looked better then the original X-Men. Though the first one looked ok, I felt like it's effects were dated compared to the ones on this film. This film was loaded with great CGI, such as the whole war at the end, Jennifer Lawrence transforming into the blue Mystique, and basically everything else in the movie. It was so much more, well done in my opinion. I think that this is one of the best superhero films. The three Dark Knight films are my favorite superhero films without a doubt, but this is up there in the bets of the genre. It was a really good movie that was highly entertaining throughout.