a great graphic novel superhero movie

Rating: 8/10 (6 June 2011)

I liken this movie to others like The Watchmen and Batman: The Dark Knight, in that it watched like a graphic novel superhero movie rather than your typical superhero comic book flick. the movie was sophisticated and smart. There was less of the splash and flash that you get from other, big budget superhero movies. On the other hand, X Men: First Class flaunted a strong script, great acting (James McAvoy was charming as Professor X, although his presence in seemingly most every scene in the movie was a little much), a fully wrought out story, and enough quality action to satisfy comics fans. other things i like about X Men first class: Magneto is given some love. You come away from the movie respecting him, sympathizing with him, even though you realize that eventually he will become the archenemy. I liked how the movie dealt with Mystique's character, which was nicely explored (not to mention, she is pleasing on the eyes). With her and magneto, we learn that bad and good is not just a black and white thing. Through them we find people that have needs, or that have certain events in their history which require resolution; and these provide the motivation for them to act as they do. Who are we to condemn them? The movie had sort of a "what if superheroes existed in real life?" feel to it. Sort of like an Alex Ross painting, but on film. Good stuff. We got to see some out-of-the-way characters like Sebastian Shaw, Emma Frost, Banshee and Havok. I did have some issue with calling the winged girl Angel, but we realize the movie diverted from the actual comic book origin, so... oh! and it was great seeing Kevin Bacon in a superhero movie role--and it wasn't silly or hammed-up or anything!