Acceptance vs. Dominance.

Rating: 8/10 (1 June 2011)

Saw this on the day it came out. The local Cinema was packed with audiences, though sadly not for this but perhaps fans of Pirates and Kung Fu Panda 2. Which is a shame as this more darkly comic, brutal and engaging sequel is more than what the 4th instalment of the Pirates' films has promised.
This film has the subtle whit, the daring and brutal action (coin scene), emotion, character development and welded plot that is required from these types of superhero/comic films. This film succeeds where the rushed complexion of X3 and Wolverine: X-Men Origins left us feeling hollow.
This film is most on par with X2 (X-Men 2/X-Men United), exceeding X1 and surely exceeding X3 and Wolverine combined.
The real stars are James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender as the brilliant Charles Xavier (Prof. X) and elusive Erik Lensherr (Magneto) respectively. They play the parts will similar presence and calibre of their former counterparts Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. They reinvigorate the characters adding further depth, energy and a likability which allows us to develop an affection for them and we become sympathetic to Magneto especially as he deals with internal demons and the power he releases.
Kevin Bacon' Sebastian Shaw as the central villain really is a surprise. He pulls it off excellently with good amount of Machiavellian manipulation and power, which stems the actions of Magneto. He doesn't do internal monologues or make some small evil scheme feel like a grandiose escapade, to quote a beloved character from "The Dark Knight", 'some men, just want to watch the world burn' by initiating WW3. As well as being a period piece, the backdrop of the Cuban Missile Crisis and the intense climate of fear and paranoia driving the countries leaders is well told. Very much akin to Alan Moore's Watchmen and subsequent 2008 film by Zack Snyder. Additional to him is the femme fatale, right-hand woman, January Jones' Emma Frost who can rival Prof. X. She provides an excellent performance, chivalry is definitely not dead. The young mutant cast is an ensemble of likable, learning kids who get thrown into the mix very early on. The key themes identified were Acceptance and Dominance; Prof X and Magneto. Conflicting ideals that sometimes meet head on and diverge violently.
Matthew Vaughn didn't herald much of the creative ideas of this film, as the hand of Bryan Singer is felt in the control of plot and character development. But regardless, there IS character development! Dir. Matthew Vaughn has pulled off a excellent superhero summer action film with enough endeavours and allegorical metaphors to keep us busy. It doesn't feel too Bryan Singer-esqe but it feels rejuvenated with a much more mature sense of style.
Overall - 8.5/10
I have to watch this again.