Okay, so I'm fully prepared to take any kind of heat from all of the angry users that absolutely think this is going to be trash. But this is my opinion - I just want to put it out there to help cool the fire.
On a funny note, I feel like this site and its fans are related to politics. We have conservative fans (Fans who will hate the film unless its exactly what they think it should be.) and Liberal Fans (who are optimistic, want what they want, but won't bitch about things to the extreme.) This isn't an exact thing - just a loose observation. Now, where do I fall on this? I'm Liberal.
Okay, so I don't think this film is going to be a bust. I really don't. The main reason why I'm taking this with stride and not getting angry about it is because its an interpretation - a vision of the comics. Not an actual comic on the big screen. If you want that kind of story...go buy the comic. If you want it on the big screen then you have to submit to what the studios, writers, and executives are putting out. Whether you agree with it or not, it's there. It's just your choice to demonize it rather than just being entertained.
Example: Titanic - based off of actual events, but a story added into it for entertainment.
Relevant example: X-men 1 - Took a story and took select characters that they wanted and made that plot work with it. In my opinion they did stay true to the characters. Whether or not the continuity was right is kind of irrelevant. If they started X-men with the original five, I personally probably wouldn't see it because Storm wasn't there. And she's one of my favorite x-men. So the studio took popularity into account.
Second of all: The continuity isn't cannon. We all know that. But should it always have to be? This is an interpretation. They wanted to make it modern back when Xmen 1 was made. They didn't want to make a period peace. I don't see anything wrong with that.
Third of all - to qualify the above statement - I don't like FOX. I really don't. I think they make stupid decisions sometimes. But its in their hands. And hating it, bitching about it, complaining about it hasn't changed anything. So I think it should be evident that hating X-men First Class isn't going to make it go away or make the franchise go to another studio. They have X-men by the balls for now. So you have two options, deal with it or not - I wouldn't put so much energy into hating something you haven't seen yet.
I do admit it doesn't sound too promising, but go into it with the highest of hopes and the lowest of expectations.
Fourth of all:
I think the continuity still fits. Why? Because. Did it say that it was a prequel to Wolverine? Unless I'm mistaken - which I'll happily admit - I don't think it was stated. So seeing an Emma/Kayla's Sister in Wolverine doesn't mean they messed up their own continuity. Though it was sort of played out and released that it was Emma Frost, I think that can be overlooked seeing as how her name wasn't mentioned in the actual movie.
I think that can be overlooked. I'm over it. I'm sure some people aren't, though. I just think its not a legitimate reason to dislike the franchise (assuming that it is a reason to begin with.)
And if First Class takes place before Wolverine, that doesn't make it out of continuity. Because Cyclops being capture in 'Wolverine' and saved by Prof. X could have been years after X-men First Class takes place.
Fifth of all:
Bryan Singer made X-1 and X-2. I didn't mind them. I know a lot of people that loved those movies. And until I got onto this site, I realized there are people who hate them. I don't see why. "He didn't stick to the source material." Its his interpretation, you're going to have to deal with that. If not, then don't see the movie. "He messed up Cyclops." No he didn't. He didn't give him enough screen time, I'll admit. He just focused on one part of him rather than as a whole. That doesn't mean he messed him up - he just took what he thought was needed for it. "He said he didn't read a comic book." And? I never played any of the Resident Evil games and I could probably make a better movie than the producers who are all fans of that franchise.
I mean come on. He's not bad at what he does. He's not - his talent isn't in question. His films outside of the superhero franchises are good. And the only one I didn't like was Superman (I'm not a big DC Fan. Sorry.). My opinion though - i know.
And Matthew Vaughn is a good director. He chooses his movies very carefully. And I'm sure he didn't like Wolverine either. And I'm sure he was familiar with the movie franchise having been asked to direct X-men 3. So he had to know where it was going at this point. And for him to take the job meant that he thought he could do it right. He might. He might not. This is all yet to be seen.
Finally:
Original line-up missing.
Ugh. Get over it. I don't want to sound blunt or like an ass, but it's not going to happen. Not while its under fox. If you hate it, I'll restate my above suggestion: don't watch the franchise - just read your comic books and be happy. Because the only way you're going to see it on screen right now is under FOX and their interpretation/vision for X-men. Not saying I like it or agree with it, but it is what it is. I'm going to still see the movie because I love X-men. I love the characters. And I enjoy seeing what they do with them.
To all the people who hate this movie franchise right now, I'm sorry for you. And I really hope that something good comes out of this soon, because I do agree it should be in more capable hands and things need to be cleaned up a bit.
But this is what it is right now. And I don't think its going to be bad. But no one can say until we see it in June.
Okay, right now - I'm going to bed. Its late. And when I wake up I'm sure I'll have one person agree and 50042014 people hating me. I apologize. So post what you will. But also note that I won't reply. I'll read, but I'm lazy. And I over exerted myself here.
Until Tomorrow, CBM!