X-Men: First Class is a must-see superhero film.

Rating: 8/10 (12 July 2011)

X-Men: First Class is a good summer blockbuster. Director Matthew Vaughn (Kick-Ass) crafted an engaging and entertaining film that, in the X-Men film series, is bettered only by X2 (2003). It acts as a prequel/reboot covering the origins of the X-Men in an alternate history where the powerful mutant Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) attempts to ignite a nuclear war between the USA and the USSR. Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) are signed up by US intelligence to foil Shaw's plans, and in the process they become good friends. The CGI is not perfect, but it's put to very good use. The story is solid (helped by the good script) with doses of effective humor throughout. Strongest in the film is the characterization. There are several notable performances. Bacon, McAvoy and especially Fassbender are in excellent form. The supporting cast is fine too (Nicholas Hoult, Zoe Kravitz, Jennifer Lawrence being the standouts). Better superhero films have been made, but First Class is definitely a WOW movie. It's a good example of what summer movies should be like. I recommend seeing it.