A Sentimental Joyride that gives us hope again.

Rating: 9/10 (27 May 2014)

Spoiler-free review!
After Brett Ratner's unforgivably "meh" X-Men: The Last Stand, mutant rights when down the toilet, and the government unleashed their most powerful and flashiest weapons yet — The Sentinels.
These fan-favourite enemies are giant robots — though here they're more medium-rare robots — who have all but destroyed mutant kind and almost the entire world with them.
Professor Patrick Stewart hatches a plan to employ Kitty Pryde's time-phasing power and send Wolverine back in time. He embarks on a mission to prevent the initial development of the Sentinels from ever happening.
This lands us in 1973, the only place Wolverine was ever fashionable. He must reunite the cast of X-Men First Class, convince them that he's not a crazy steroid junkie, and change destiny.
As you may have seen by the ten stars above, I was insurmountably impressed by this film. As someone who grew up with the excellent X-Men 1 and 2, then crying at number 3, then shrugging my shoulders at the adequacy of the rest of them, I am glad to say that X-Men movies are at last really, really good again.
This film delivers enjoyment for both fans of the original film series and the (sort of) First Class reboot. While the film primarily takes place in the past, with the young un's, the original cast are utilized wonderfully in their awesome post-apocalypse future. (Pun!)
In a sea of drearily plotted and overly flashy superhero movies, this film displays a surprisingly intelligent plot line, incorporating elements from over half a dozen previous films in a way that will delight old and new fans.
Some initial worries of mine were the executive mandated appearances of Quicksilver and a larger Mystique. (not a comment on Jennifer Lawrence's weight) However the film takes these plot points and utilizes them to the greatest effect. Quicksilver is brilliant, his hair is brilliant, and Mystique's role within the film fees natural and provides great drama and character struggle.
I have only small criticisms, mostly directed at the film's technical aspects. There's an unfortunate overuse of slow-mo, which is effective for the sequences of Quicksilver, but otherwise very annoying and it gives me horrid memories of The Amazing Spiderman 2.
Overall, the film is a superb experience and I highly recommend to everyone. There is great action which serves the plot, top-notch acting from old and new, and even a surprise ending which will usher the tears from fanboys everywhere.
Go watch it.