X-Men: First Class is the second prequel in the X-Men series and this one was as enjoyable as the first prequel on Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). In this action thriller, we are offered a vivid and substantial look at young Charles Xavier, aka Professor X (James McAvoy), and Erik Lehnsherr, aka Magneto (Michael Fassbender). This comic book film takes us back to 1962 when these two were fast friends just discovering their ‘mutant’ powers. Together with other mutants, they were working together to stop a huge threat to the World and its occupants.
This action movie answers many of the questions that fans (unfamiliar with the comic books) have had about the X-Men:
• Where does the term X-Men come from?
• Why Magneto wears a helmet-like shield on his head?
• Why Professor X is in a wheelchair?
• Why are Professor X and Magneto fierce enemies?
This film is a must see for any true fan of the X-Men series, whether you have read the comic books or not. Like X-Men Origins: Wolverine, First Class was a huge box office success proving that comic book movie fans were craving more of the back story behind the X-Men legend. While the original X Men movies made between $150 million and $220 million at the box office, both of theses prequel films have made more than $350 million at the box office!
X-Men: First Class is not just an action thriller but it is also explores the elements of racism and the corruption of power. Although set in the 1960s, this comic book film is also a reflection on our own modern society; with a glimpse at how power corrupts and how one can lose mental control.
For me this film immediately jumped into my top ten comic book movies of all time. From the meticulous way every scene is delivered you get a taste for the amount of thought, attention and devotion that Director Matthew Vaughn and the screenplay writers put into the film. X-Men: First Class keeps us on the edge of our seats and leaves us wanting more in the end.
Mr. Vaughn has burst onto the scene now with four excellent films that push the boundaries of convention. This film, along with Kickass, are my two favorites of his offering but I look forward to a lot more from this young Director.
5 of 5 Stars. Bravo