A sensational film and a 'would-be' progenitor to many more forthcoming, smashing X-Men blockbusters!

Rating: 8/10 (25 May 2014)

FIRST CLASS was 'the' perfect film and many wondered how Singer would topple it. He actually doesn't, but what he made is the best possible follow up film that could have been made.Singer had his task cut out; not only he had to make a good sequel to FIRST CLASS but also work his way around previous incongruous films in the franchise, without discrediting any.
The 3rd X-Men film was the biggest hurdle; makers simply did not foresee more than a dozen films, and franchise still going full steam ahead. Singer successfully cleared away all mess without impacting any of the origins stories or key highlights of characters. Wolverine still gets the adamantium, Magneto continues the evil/vigilante route, and back-bone of X-Men gets fortified again with Scott and Jean back.
It is one of those few films that were better made on-screen than originally written—SIN CITY and, up to an extent, V FOR VENDETTA to name a few others. Sending Wolverine back into past instead of Kitty was a masterstroke. Time travel conundrum is handled beautifully—no surprises though, after all Cameron was involved consultatively. Quicksilver's connection to Magneto neatly slipped in the story too (The Marvel-Fox standoff means we will see a different Quiclsilver in Avengers: Age of Ultron!).
First Class remains the best because it was an intelligent and genius film, yet an all-out mainstream entertainer. On the other hand, Days of Future Past is a dazzling display of genius direction and ingenious screenplay—brings the X-Men universe back on track.
Some Awe-inspiring Scenes and Components
Quicksilver saving the hides of Xavier, Magneto, and Wolverine in Pentagon.
Future Sentinels: astonishing creativity and impeccable design; clearly a lot of thought behind these. Hats off to the SFX too! (More than Mystique's, I felt Rogue's powers were the key, though.)
Desolate Future: gives the exact feel of a despondent, gloomy world; even comicbook pages didn't capture it this good!
Whitehouse breach and being palisaded within the 'structure' (too awesome to be spoiled!) Magneto uprooted.
Associations to previous films; at times humorous (best ever pay back 'F--- off' :) and metal detector to name a few), at times elucidating (mentions of Azazel, Banshee, etc.)
Overall, a brilliant film that opens up the X-Men franchise to possibilities anew. Some might find it little lacking in action, however, considering what all it had to deal with and what it is building up to, it was perfect dose of action.
Original Timeline: Haywire!
Timeline Now:
FIRST CLASS (1960s around Cuban missile crisis)
DAYS OF FUTURE PAST (1970s around JFK assassination | Future: 2020s)
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE (1840s-1980s | Wolverine's memory loss)
X-MEN 1, 2, 3 [2000s | story/incidences conveniently merged into a collapsed timeline; school is formed but Multiverse accounts for Xavier being unacquainted with Wolverine, the events of LAST STAND (Phoenix Saga), deaths of certain characters, etc.]
THE WOLVERINE (2010s)
Upcoming Films:
X-Men: Apocalypse (? | plot undecided)
Wolverine 3 (sequel to The Wolverine)
Drawbacks: Hardly any. One minor disappointment was Warpath—his look (facial features and getup) did qualify but stature was very smallish; the guy is 7 feet+ giant in X-Men universe
Post Credits: Age of Apocalypse is nigh! Shows En Sabah Nur in action; the Four Horsemen stand guard closely.
JFK Assassination: Magneto was accused of President's murder, found a related video here - Bent Bullet
TRIVIA! Special Cast: consisting of Oscar winners: Halle Berry, Jennifer Lawrence, Ellen Page, and Anna Paquin, Hugh Jackman, and Ian McKellen. Other acting stalwarts and promising talents include: Patrick Stewart, Peter Dinklage; of course Michael Fassbender is due an Oscar soon :)
8.3/10