Groovy MARVELous - fast and furious boost of energy in the ongoing mutant saga.

Rating: 9/10 (23 May 2014)

X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (2014) ***1/2 Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Nicholas Hout, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Peter Dinklage, Omar Sy, Evan Peters, Josh Helman, Daniel Cudmore, Bingbing Fan (Cameos: Anna Paquin, Famke Janssen, James Marsden, Kelsey Grammar) Ambitious chapter of the ongoing Marvel Comics' universe of the intrepidly fractious mutants who find themselves in the dark future against humans and an army of mutant-destoying giant robots (don't ask; just go with it) with a Hail-Mary pass plan involving Wolverine (the always world-weary yet game Jackman) sent back in time to re-assemble frenemies Professor X (McAvoy) and Magneto (Fassbender) with a few obstacles including a rogue Mystique (Lawrence reprising her role with relish) and the ever-determined inventor of their doom (Dinklage in low-key villain mode). Reunited with filmmaker Bryan Singer's singular vision and a strong script by fellow X writers Simon Kinberg, Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn keep things moving at a decent clip in spite of its groovy '70s era exposition and some fast and furious visual effects (among them future X'er 'Quicksilver' - a game Peters - shaking things up with his wicked fast speed to much welcome comic relief). Keep it going Marvel!