The hardcore nerds of course will never be pleased but most fans should be thrilled!

Rating: 10/10 (7 June 2011)

'X-MEN: FIRST CLASS': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Prequel to the other four 'X-MEN' films detailing the origins of the first 'X-Men' team (in 1962) and focusing primarily on the friendship, that later turned to rivalry, between Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr (who later became known as Professor X and Magneto). The film was directed and co-written by Matthew Vaughn (also well known for adapting another popular comic book to film, 'KICK-ASS'). The script was also worked on by five other writers including Bryan Singer (the filmmaker behind the first two, much more loved, 'X-MEN' films), who was also set to direct this film before taking a producing seat instead in order to helm another project. The movie stars James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, Rose Byrne, January Jones and Nicholas Hoult. It's not quite as good as the first two installments but it is far superior to the last two. Despite a somewhat rocky start it's an extremely satisfying and entertaining thrill ride that is sure to please most die-hard fans of the comics and movie series.
The film opens with a scene from the first 'X-MEN' movie in which Erik is a child in a German concentration camp in 1944 and bends a metal gate, using his mutant ability to control metals, in an attempt to free his parents. A scientist named Sebastian Shaw (Bacon) witnesses this and while trying to provoke the boy's power murders his mother. Several years later Erik (Fassbender) is now obsessed with revenge. While trying to murder Shaw he teams up with Xavier (McAvoy), the worlds most powerful telepath, who teaches him to harness his inner rage and better control his powers. The two lead a team of young gifted mutants such as themselves in conjunction with the CIA. Their ideas on what's best for their kind of course clashes and eventually challenges their friendship.
The film is not as fun as the other installments, it's slower paced and extremely moody, but it is more serious and in many ways more faithful to it's source material. There are several inconsistency flaws with the other film chapters (if you thought the 'STAR WARS' prequels were bad, they're nothing compared to this) which is why many fans thought the filmmakers should have done a completely new reboot rather than a prequel. The inconsistencies don't really effect the overall quality of the film though. Once again they tried to pack too many characters and too many major events into one film and it's far too convoluted at times, early on, but it does pick up and get better as the film goes along. The major characters are well thought out and relatable. The film, as with the entire series, grapples with the difficult society challenges faced with being an individual and different than the norm. This is where the movie is the strongest in many ways (as with the early two films), battling discrimination is a very emotional and serious topic for many and this chapter once again does an admirable job relating the issue. The action is of course stellar as well and Vaughn is once again in top form behind the camera. The performances are impressive all around once again as well, especially Fassbender, who's a star to watch out for. I'm becoming a big fan of Lawrence and she's good in this movie but it's hardly comparable to her Oscar nominated work from last year (in 'WINTER'S BONE'). Still it's nice to see her giving any of her talents to a comic book fanboy film like this. There's some nice surprise cameos as well. The film is pretty much grade A material all around. The hardcore nerds of course will never be pleased with anything that isn't the page reincarnated panel by panel on the big screen but most fans should be thrilled.
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