Solid Prequel

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2011)

Why does this movie work? Because we care about the characters which isn't always something we can say about an action movie. Although the CGI is excellent it never becomes the star of the movie like so many films of this genre where we just wait for the dialouge to end so we can watch the special effects.
Almost from the beginning we are drawn into the relationships. We care about Magneto (Michael Fassbender) and sympathize with him and understand why he doesn't trust mankind. He's only seen the ugly side of it throughout his youth. His counterpart Professor X (James McAvoy) has grown up in wealth and privilege and is far more idealistic.
And lets be honest. The dilemma here is that they have a problem in which they both have a piece of the truth. Magneto is right. There will always be a segment of the human race that will fear and hate the mutants. Mankind is partially right too. There WILL almost certainly be some mutants who will go anti social with there powers no matter what type of treatment they get from human beings.
A few nitpicks with the film, it barely stays PG13 and really isn't a kids movie so beware for those of you who plan to take children under 10. Most PG13 movies can get away with at least one F-bomb and this one does although its done very cleverly and with a surprising character who utters it. And there are PLENTY of scantily/barely clad women. As a matter of fact there is barely an ounce of fat anywhere in this movie. Also, did women wear mini skirts that short in the early 60's, and did they really pull the old "kill the black character first" cliché? As I said these are just nitpicks. THis is an excellent fast paced flick that entertains from start to finish.
There is also a barely concealed political agenda here. There is a lot of talk about coming out, being proud of who you are, not hiding, being "cured" and one character says "SInce you didn't ask I didn't tell" Hmmmmm.