Suspicious, weary and predetermined I saw the movie – and was surprised! Pleasantly surprised!

Rating: 8/10 (27 March 2012)

The first "X-Men" movie from 1999 was one of the few comic-book adaptations that actually worked! The second part, almost as expected, was "so-so" and the third, well, best not to loose too many words. Then came the abysmal "X-Men Origins: Wolverine", and pretty much all hope for a dignified continuation of the series was lost. Plus, the current season offered a whole squad of mediocre comic book adaptations; "Captain America", "Thor", "The Avengers", just to name a few of the heart- and soulless CGI-abominations that have come to your cinema these days.
So, expectations for a re-boot of "X-Men" (which, despite all nods to the original series, it is) weren't all too high; didn't even bother watching it in cinema – which turned out to be a mistake.
"X-Men Origins: First Class" is the first film, that comes anywhere close to the charm of the original. The fan was generally worried about not seeing any of the original characters played, say, by Patrick Steward or Ian McKellan – they need not worry: the chemistry (the magical word in "X-Men" 1999) between the cast is first-rate. I didn't like James McAvoy that much in "The Last King of Scotland" and hadn't seen much of Michael Fassbender, other than his small role in "Inglorious Basterds" – here, as the future Dr. X and Magneto, they're both excellent. And Dr. X isn't even bald! Word had spread among geeks that there would be a guest-appearance of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and the word was right. We might come to expect pretentious, predictable cameos like, say, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis appearing in "The Expendables". Rather, Jackman and Romijn appearances combined, last less than 10 seconds, yet are so well placed and timed; it almost made this fan applaud. Chemistry and timing; the director succeeded, where the last three parts have failed.
The character of Azazel, the red-skinned demon mutant, is one of the let-downs of the movie. First of all, (considering that Alan Cumming played an excellent Nightcrawler in "X-Men 2"), there really was no need to create a duplicate in red. Sure, Azazel is Nightcrawlers biological father in the comics, giving rise to potential future story lines, but the supernatural and mutant powers didn't mix so well in on paper, and they do less so-so film.
Special praise would go to Kevin Bacon: his arrogant, self-sure Sebastian Shaw character (who, in the comics is often one of the blander villains), works perfect as antagonist of this film – and his demise is actually rather brutal and memorable. Bravo (again, said in a geekish tone – but, as in everything, the geek is capable of finding some faults: Bacons German accent is atrocious).
There was even an unexpected bonus: waiting for the extra-scene, that was not to come, I sat through the credits and noticed that the final track is actually quiet an ear-catcher. To my horror, I had to realize that this was a "Take That" song – pardon me, it's a Metalhead speaking, who's last words will be "Black Sabbath Rules". But yes, the song fit like the proverbial "butt on the bucket".
So, despite knowing that the future "X-Men Origins II – Rise of the X-Men" (or whatever they'll call it), won't live up to "X-Men Origin: First Class", I'll probably march into the cinema, hand over my eight bucks and go watch it. Damn you, Hollywood, you've conned this sucker again! 8 out of 10