Extremely well-done

Rating: 8/10 (4 June 2011)

Having sat through Wolverine, I wondered if this franchise was doomed, but this movie was a pleasant surprise. The direction was witty and well-paced. I know it's odd to point out the set design, but it was FABULOUS. There is a definite 60's- James-Bond-Bad-Guy-Lair vibe to some of the sets, and it's quite fun. George Lucas could take a few lessons from this director about how and when to use CGI. The CGI enhances, but never dominates the story. The fights weren't SO protracted that you started wondering when they would be over. Standouts in the cast were, of course, McAvoy and Fassbinder. I had never seen McAvoy in anything before, and he certainly delivers the goods in the charm department. Who knew Xavier was such a smoothie with the ladies? And Fassbinder is one to watch - not only is he wonderfully easy on the eyes, but his acting in this role carried a welcome and dangerous intensity that was definitely called for. (He did seem to get very Irish near the end of the movie, though.) January Jones as Emma Frost is a hoot - just watching her deadpan around in one outrageous 60's outfit after another is pretty funny, and again, sort of a Bond throwback. One thing bothered me a little - Kevin Bacon as the villain. He's really not bad, but he's not a good enough actor to make me forget that he's Kevin Bacon. All the young 'uns were respectively good, and seemed to be having fun. The audience did too. Nice job all around.