Mutants Begin

Rating: 7/10 (15 December 2013)

Mathew Vaughn directed this second prequel(though fifth entry) in the franchise, set mostly in 1962, where young mutants Charles Xavier(played by James McAvoy) and Erik Lansherr(played by Michael Fassbender) are enlisted by the U.S. government to organize fellow mutants they locate through the use of the Cerebro, through which Charles uses his telepathic powers. Once together, they are attacked by evil mutant leader Sebastian Shaw(played by Kevin Bacon) who has a past with Erik(from WWII) that puts them on a collision course that will determine the future events that turn Erik into Magneto and lead his anti-human brotherhood of mutants. Surprisingly good film does a fine job filling in the back stories of key X-Men characters, who are well cast with younger actors. Lots of big-scale action scenes helped by a thoughtful script, and authentic recreation of the early 1960's.