Awesome even with it's flaws

Rating: 10/10 (16 March 2015)

As far as stories go, this x-men installment is awesome. It juggles a lot of story lines, using humor and action to keep the viewers attention. As a big X-Men fan, this is probably the best of all the movies so far. Since this is a sequel, we have to look at the storyline that's been created; as the movie begins the current movie line looks like this: First Class -> X-Men -> X2 -> X3 -> Days of Future's Past. When the plot gets further in, Wolverine gets put back to approximately a year after the conclusion of First Class. As we move through the story, we find several humorous coincidences: Magneto killed JFK (magic bullet theory), Nixon tapes were caused by mutant discussions, Washington Senators ended their baseball franchise due to the destruction of the stadium. By the end of the movie, we're starting to see the turn in what the X-Men stand for; originally, X-Men were created as protectors for mutants against the humans, then there was a shift (where we leave off at the end of the movie) where they become the protectors against for humans against other mutants, thus establishing their true cause.
So let's get to some of the issues that arise. First, Kitty Pryde never showed time traveling abilities, which presumably would be a part of someone with mind-control/manipulation powers, which are far off from her ability to go through walls. Second, Bishop in the original comics was a big part of the time traveling plot lines, and he was next to nothing in this movie which unfortunately was a large waste of a character. Third, sending Wolverine back makes sense due to his healing abilities, but the time frame is all wrong. Don't send him to a year after First Class finishes, send him to that point in the bar when Prof X and Magneto come to see him. The entire movie would have been avoided if they had did that (admittedly, not a very exciting plot, although it would have been interesting to see First Class play out having done that, so essentially Days of Future's Past would have been First Class Take 2). Fourth, Quick Silver is by and large one of the best mutants in the series. His abilities basically allow him to get by all securities, move at a speed that allows him to physically manipulate anyone and essentially be unstoppable. If he is this powerful and the plot to capture Raven is of the highest priority, why wouldn't they take him to Paris? He just got Magneto from the Pentagon, I'm fairly certain he could have gotten Raven out of the conference room without all of this mess. Lastly, Prof X has the ability the ability to take control of the mind of others and Mystique can turn into anyone...why wouldn't you turn into Trask (or take over his mind) and just shut everything down and order everything to be destroyed? For Prof X, not having his abilities at the beginning would be a problem but he gains his full powers towards the end.
Every story is going to have flaws, especially Marvel movies simply because the comics themselves had so many flaws. As far as movies go, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. The plot line was right on, the ability to have the older cast merge with the new cast was extremely impressive. The best part is that the conclusion of the movie erases the events of X2 and X3. You could even make the argument that X-Men would have been erased to the point where plot changes would have to be made, i.e. with a new sense of appreciation for mutants, Senator Kelly wouldn't have attempted to start mutant registration (although that could change in the proceeding 30 years from Days of Futures Past conclusion to X-Men). No longer a threat to humanity, Rogue chooses to go to the school instead of running away because running away would have never happened, which would mean that Wolverine finds his own path to the school.
The part that leaves me wondering is the mid-credit scene. Now a constant in mainstream movies that have additional sequels happening, the mid-credit scene depicts the mutant Apocalypse moving around pyramids. This begs several questions: a) When is the clip taking place? It can't be modern era, but it doesn't look like the 70s either. B) The cast list currently shows for Fassbender and McKellen as Magneto, so is this another time-altering event? Lastly, with the present day conclusion of Days of Future's Past showing the peace (the school is in tact, mutants not hiding for their lives, Rogue still at the school meaning she never gave up her powers, Jean Gray still herself) If this clip takes place in the past, the resolution must be over and everyone is at peace. If the clip is in the present, why are the current mutants unable to take care of the problem, thus never involving the younger cast?
A lot of flaws, a lot of unanswered questions, but all in all, a great movie that I enjoy watching multiple times!