worth watching despite its imperfections

Rating: Null/10 (6 June 2011)

X-Men prequel/origin tale chronicles the early days of Charles Xavier (McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Fassbender) when they were two young men discovering their powers and working together for the good of all mutants. In the early 1960s, they select gifted mutants from all over the world and help them harness their powers in hopes that they can help combat a sinister megalomaniac who's bent on starting World War III. Undermined by needless, underdeveloped supporting characters, and unavoidably predictable story elements, but made worthwhile by efficient action scenes, good special effects, and effective casting in key roles. Bacon has a giddy old time as the maniacal Sebastian Shaw, but the real highlight is Fassbender who's magnetic—no pun intended—as the vengeful Magneto. **½