Another Golden Entrant in the Sterling X-Men Legacy

Rating: 9/10 (12 June 2014)

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid (DDK)
Rating: 4.2/5 stars
If there's been one film franchise that has stood the test of time and successfully maintained the superior echelons it set for itself among the plethora of superhero films out there, (barring an incongruously disappointing third installment) right from the time it debuted (I'm not taking the Wolverine spin-offs into account), then it's got to be the "X-Men" chronology. In keeping with the rich vein of this adrenaline- pumping, prudently-executed franchise, Bryan Singer (back after directing the first two films that actually set the bar for all superhero films long before Marvel came and raised it a bit higher) weaves another richly-plotted, astutely-directed, high on testosterone film that pulls you into its adventurous journey and keeps you so engrossed that you'll end up wishing that the movies never gets over. Very few films have managed to achieve this in recent times, and the only other such spectacle that comes to mind from this year's lot is "Captain America: Winter Soldier".
"X-Men: Days of Future Past" brings together the ultimate X-Men ensemble and pits them in a war for the survival of their species across two time periods. The beloved characters from the original "X-Men" film trilogy battle a new breed of mechanical foes known as the "sentinels", while their younger selves from the "X-Men: First Class", race against time to thwart to change a major historical event and fight in an epic battle that could save our future. The X-Men send Wolverine to the past to meet up with Charles X. Xavier and Magneto's younger selves in a desperate effort to change history and prevent an event that results in doom for both humans and mutants.
This could have ended up looking extremely shoddy in the hands of a lesser Director, but Bryan Singer brings all his expertise and dexterity to the fore, and ends up creating a masterpiece that's as high on its visual razzmatazz as it is on the sheer brilliance of deftly handling the intricacies of a complex storyline with multiple character arcs. As a viewer, you never end up being confounded at any point in the film and end up insatiably lapping up all the minute details of this time-bending plot. Along with Singer's assured direction, kudos must also be bestowed upon writers Simon Kinberg (screenplay), Jane Goldman, Simon Kinberg, and Matthew Vaughn's detailed story, which neatly brought all the intricacies together like a neat jigsaw puzzle, and also to Simon Kinberg for converting this story into a blockbuster screenplay. Newton Thomas Sigel's awe-inspiring cinematography and the astute editing by John Ottman and Michael Louis Hill are the icing and cherry on this scrumptious three-tier cake.
Coming to the performances, all the main characters are by now well- versed with their roles and by the looks of it seemed to be having a blast in front of the camera. Understandably, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Ellen Page, and Shawn Ashmore have lesser screen time as the plot is mostly centered around the timeline in the past and how drastic measures need to be taken to change it and forever alter the calamity of the future. Nevertheless, whenever the erstwhile mentioned cast is on screen, they pull off their characters with the energy and approach demanded of them. The actual field is laid out for the cast from the previous film, "X-Men: First Class", and the players including James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Nicholas Hoult more than live up to expectations. Indubitably, Hugh Jackman is the star of the show over here and he gets to play ball in both timelines in a role he can by now sleepwalk through, and as usual he bring all the chutzpah, bravado, and machismo, and unabashedness that has endeared us over the years to his portrayal of Wolverine. Evan Peters - as the fledgling, cocky Quicksilver - and Peter Dinklage - as the vile, bigoted, manipulative business magnate and misguided scientist, Dr. Bolivar Trask - are marvelous additions to the cast.
With heart-pounding action, grandiose set pieces, dazzling visual effects, chuckle-inducing one-liners, endearing characters, and an intricate plot helmed by brilliant direction; "X-Men: Days of Future Past is certainly one of the most lavishly assembled and thoroughly entertaining summer blockbusters in recent memory. This "X-Men" franchise is well-alive and kicking vigorously, which almost makes us rub our palms in glee like a kid on Christmas Eve in anticipation of what the next installment shall bring to the table. Don't make us wait to long Mr. Singer and 20th Century Fox; bring it on as quick as possible.