While 2014's X-Men offering was no Avengers, it was still the film in the franchise to gain the highest
critical acclaim, wiping the continuity slate clean and bringing a league of new fans to the series. This "inbetweenquel" caused much division amongst fans; some feeling like it brought the comic story to life in a fresh and new way, others saying it was hardly an
X-Men film at all. Ultimately, while I recognize the rather out-there creative liberties were unsettling to some fans (such as
Mystique's importance,
Wolverine going back in time), I also find the film to be a solid piece of entertainment.
Every minute of the 131-minute-long movie engage the audience in a way few films do. With that said, it's time to pick out the five parts that were the most fun for me to watch.
5. Quicksilver
It might seem odd that a user so vocal about his disappointment in Fox's Quicksilver would include him on the Top 5 list. Equally puzzling is that this scene would come in last, when so many felt it was the outstanding scene of the entire movie. Peter Maximoff bothered me because he was so vastly different from his comic book counterpart, and he came off more annoying to me than anything. But at the same time, the visual action of this scene can't be ignored. Bryan Singer's certainly learned a thing or two since the early 00's, because this is leagues beyond even his recent work. The scene is not only an interesting display of Peter's powers but also... cute. It's funny, and audiences will surely welcome Evan Peters back to the role in next year's Apocalypse.
4. Logan Freaks Out
I love this entire scene because every character is determined to do his job, and then it all goes to shit. Trask is determined to sell his mutant-detecting technology. Mystique is determined to kill Trask. Wolverine, Xavier, and Beast are determined to stop and save Mystique, while Magneto has come to the difficult decision to save the mutant's future by killing his old lover. Then the alliance ends, Mystique's blood lands on the street, and Logan sees his old pal William Stryker, which completely [frick]s him up. Flashbacks of X2: X-Men United are shown, and we finally see part of history begin to change.
3. Magneto On Plane
Up to this point, you're led to believe Erik is nothing more than a monster, until the argument unfolds that shows Charles has done his fair share of wrong too. Or at least, you glimpse the pain Erik felt at the hands of Charles. It's such an interesting relationship, dammit! Not to mention the name-dropping of several mutants from X-Men: First Class. The debate comes to a halt with Erik counter-arguing his old friend: "You abandoned us all." Damn, bro. And as if that rich debate wasn't cool enough, then you have Wolverine landing one of the funniest lines of the film: "You wanna pick all that shit up?"
2. Xavier Reads Logan
This one almost came in first, and for good reason. After trying and failing to locate Mystique via Cerebro, Xavier is ready to give up. Every previous effort has went to shit anyway, right? Then Logan admits his failure. He's not the leader Charles is, he's not able to inspire Charles the way he needs to. He tells Charles to look inside his mind, and then we see glimpses of every X-Men movie ever. Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Victor Creed from Origins stepping on Logan's bone claws. Logan being burnt to a crisp in The Wolverine. Logan meeting Jean Grey only to later have to kill her. Charles has to step back to remove himself from Logan's pain, but Logan tells him to look past that. Then we have Charles Xavier talking to Charles Xavier. In the words of one Will Smith, it was "deeply, deeply dope."
1. Magneto's Speech
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"You built these weapons to destroy us. Why? Because you are afraid of our gifts. Because we are different. Humanity has always feared that which is different, but I am here to tell you, to tell the world, you're right to fear us. We are the future. We are the ones who inherit this earth and anyone who stands in our way, will suffer the same fate as these men you see before you. Today was meant to be a display of your power. Instead I give you a glimpse of the devastation my race can unleash upon yours. Let this be a warning to the world and to my mutant brothers and sisters out there, I say this. No more hiding. No more suffering. You have lived in the shadows of shame and fear for too long. Come out. Join me. Fight together in a brotherhood of our kind, a new tomorrow that starts today."
In a villainous speech rivaled only by Loki and Ultron themselves, Magneto lifts a [frick]ing STADIUM and drops it over the White House. I'm not gay, but I sure would like to take a look at ol Mag's balls, because they must be huge. Behind Erik's sermon we're given glimpses of the future X-Men's fight against the Sentinels, which is not only visually epic but epically engaging. Is Magneto right to find for his race? After all, it was humans who set in motion a program that would wipe out thousands of mutants and humans. Erik's determination is met by Charles' faith, and Mystique is caught in the middle. Ultimately, we are left with something to think about after the movie ends, mostly due to this scene right here.
Well that's my time folks--time to wrap this up and eat my fried chicken dinner. Thanks for reading, and be sure to leave your thoughts on the film in the comment section below!