The Best "X-Men" Film Yet... Even Though the Timeline is Now Forever Messed

Rating: 8/10 (12 December 2011)

"X-Men: First Class" is the origin story of the amazing team of mutants. That's pretty much all you need to know. This film is what superhero films SHOULD ALWAYS be.
Let's start with the characters. James McAvoy plays a much younger, less bald Xavier. He's womanizing, funny as hell, but also very wise and a great leader. It's only becomes a Patrick Stewart like performance when he's guiding the younger X-Men.
Michael Fassbender is the new and, I dare say, IMPROVED Erik Lensherr; the man who would become Magento. His performance is natural, amazing, dark, sensitive and relatable. Being tortured by Nazi's as a boy has taken it's toll on him, as he's spent most of his years hunting the Germans involved at the camp he was at so he can get revenge on a man named Schmit; the Nazi who killed Erik's mother.
Erik's philosophizing about acceptance and human nature's natural resentfulness towards mutants is great. His voice is dark, his tone is proper, and his face emphasizes his emotions. You can't help but agree with him. I mean, honestly, he's not truly a villain (well, not until the other films start), but in this film, he's just honest. You can't blame him for his thinking, which he actually proves to Charles within the film.
Jennifer Lawrence plays Mystique, this film's third main character. She's been in a brother-sister relationship with Xavier since childhood. She's somewhat insecure and scared, but she's also very sensitive and relatable. When she and Erik begin their relationship, Magneto rubs his message onto her and she stops disguising herself as a human and permanently reverts to her blue skin as her public appearance.
Kevin Bacon plays Sebastian Shaw, a.k.a. Schmidt, the Nazi who killed Erik's mother. He's a mutant that can absorb anything to become more powerful. Not too much to say here, but he's a decent villain.
The great thing I think critics are loving about this movie is it revolves around the characters. The writers made them understandable, relatable and lovable. Something most characters in the earlier films failed to do. The performances really drive the film. I don't classify it as a action movie. I think of it as a superhero drama (with action). The action isn't just for entertainment purposes. It adds to the story, and in the middle of it, there's always something else happening that makes it more involved.
Basically, this is no "Dark Knight", but it's definitely the best X-Men film yet, and I think it's about to lead the franchise into a new and bold direction, giving it new life. The characters and story matter, and action should be there to move the plot along, not just to waste 2 million dollars for FX shots and a cheap excitement. THATS what superhero films should be. And "X-Men: First Class" has definitely hid that nail on the head with the hammer. HARD.
This is a great film. A strong recommendation for anyone, even if you don't like "X-Men". And since this is the first in a new planned trilogy, you can expect more greatness. Long live the X-Men.