Breathing powerful new life into a series

Rating: Null/10 (22 October 2011)

The word re-boot is thrown around and used far too often nowadays. I rarely see anyone re-boot anything that requires rebooting or does it well. I stand on the idea that X-Men: First Class is NOT a reboot but a different direction and a powerful and amazing one, and one of the best films of 2011 for popcorn eating, cheering out loud cinema. The best of a prequel without ignoring the previous films or the Universe and in fact fitting in some amazing cameos from the original films, sticking to the same timeline and bringing in some great new characters and showing us the history of the best characters. Fortunately they also made some downright outstanding casting choices who completely embody their characters. They also don't spend too much time on the new young cast but instead give us the background on the characters everyone was dying to know more about. It gives them the opportunity to explore the new younger cast in future instalments of the film, hopefully being able to keep this alive past just three films.
In a different world where films that people love were actually considered for Oscars, Michael Fassbender would be considered for an Oscar for his truly brilliant portrayal of Erik Lehnsherr and eventually Magneto. I think he channels everything that Ian McKellen created but then took it to an incredible new level. You will be riveted by him and his performance. James McAvoy is also excellent. I figured he'd be the one to watch in this movie and he is but Fassbender is so incredible that McAvoy does get pushed down just a little. But McAvoy's young and headstrong Charles Xavier is amazing too. The two of them together have a good chemistry and are great together. McAvoy gets to do things with the character Xavier that no one else has been able to do. Kevin Bacon is terrific as the villainous Sebastian Shaw. He might go a little too far with it and overact but when it all boils down Bacon is outstanding. Nicholas Hoult does an amazing job bringing all the emotional complication to the young character of Beast/Hank McCoy. Jennifer Lawrence also gives a great performance as Mystique, and watching her character and the direction they take is truly outstanding. January Jones is a little bland compared to the rest of the strong cast. Jason Flemyng is dark and demented and I hope to see more of him as the villainous Azazel. The rest of the supporting cast are all fantastic and I don't mean to downplay them but they aren't in the forefront of the story and I think they will be saved for a sequel or two.
Matthew Vaughn is fairly new to the spotlight. He sort of rose up to fame in the mainstream with Kick-Ass, and now this should keep him as one of the top directors. The action is non-stop, incredible special effects, some amazing battles that X-Men films are known for but the best thing is all this happens amongst a powerfully strong story, brilliant characters, and even some history thrown in there. This is one action super hero flick that must be seen!! With the absolute plethora of Super Heroes this Summer (2011) it would be hard to stand out but X-Men First Class is indeed just that and the best of all of them the entire year. Check this one out!! 9/10