First Class Treatment in "X-Men: First Class"

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN. ~20th Century Fox


I must admit that I am a huge fan of the X-Men comics, and although there have been several films that have come out in the previous years none have quite satisfied the yearning for a good quality X-Men flick. But this weekend with the premiere of the X-Men: First Class movie we do not have to wait any longer. The comic book film we have so needed has arrived!! It had been said back in 2007 right after the release of X-Men: The Last Stand, how would they make a spin-off of the X-Men series that no one would expect. Why not make a film that looks at these characters during their youth, thus we have the inception of X-Men: First Class. We finally get a smart blockbuster hit for the summer! A genius of an idea!


Director Matthew Vaughn is brilliant with his efforts to keep the audience engaged with this film. He gave us the total package from beginning to end. Although the film is set in the 1960's there is a still a modern look with a retro twist. And the fact that it was dated during that time the special effects are actually quite fitting, which is to be expected. When watching this film there is this constant energy that seems to resonate via the plot, its characters, and the music. Going into this film you have to separate yourself from the first three X-Men films and go in with a clear mind. This way you have a clean slate and can actually get an accurate interpretation of the comic book series. If you are a fan of the Batman prequels then this will definitely be right up your alley, trust me!


This film examines some of the other X-Men characters that we have not seen in some of the previous X-Men films and at the same time takes us on a journey. We get to see these mutants at a tender young age evolve into young adults. This is a plus because if you don't read comics your scope of X-Men characters might be very narrow. It's important that we know how these mutants came about to be the great individuals that they are today. There powers did not just manifest overnight, they were trained and built from the ground up. Now some interesting perks from the film were that we got a chance to see the actual recruiting process from its inception, plus some cameo appearances from a young Ororo (Storm), Wolverine (Logan), an older Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and others.

McAvoy and Fassbender work exceptionally well together as Professor X and Magneto, you can tell that each have a level of respect for the other, they just choose to take different routes. Both together have a very realistic chemistry that is quite intriguing. Emma Frost (January Jones) and Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon add a evil flair that just heightens the film 20 notches. Their relationship is curiously enticing. One small gripe is that you feel like the movie could have given us just a little more, but maybe that was the intention. It leaves some room to desire and want more. An additional minor flaw is that of Mystique's character her personality doesn't seem quite fluid, her motives seem somewhat blotchy (its easier to understand after watching the film.) In addition, to the above characters we also get a chance to be introduced (and some re-introduced) to a few more breakthrough performances from folks Havok, Banshee, Angel, and Beast (who gives us a bit of a vulnerable, softer side). The complete cast, does an excellent job with each of their portrayal. Very believable and very accurate.

What I really like about this film is that we get a solid foundation of how the X-Men became the "X-Men". With "First Class" the story along with the characters in it have more life to them, we can see more dimensions versus just a one-sided viewpoint. In the previous films the personality is lacking whereas now the personalities truly blossom. 'First Class' does darn near perfect job of intertwining the story of the mutants along with actual historical events (Cold War & the Cuban missile crisis). And the central theme that is made very clear is that Erik feels that regardless of how much the mutants assist in saving the world, normal people will always see them as enemies. And Charles still holds on to the notion that there is still some good in people. With that said the groundwork is built for the X-Men movies that we have seen before this one. We also get a deeper look into the relationship between Charles (Professor X) and Eric (Magneto) and the eventual birth of X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants. Even though the mutants parted ways in essence they still are on the same, just taking different methods.

After watching this film, I can understand more and more how Marvel creator Stan Lee used Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X as a basis for the Professor X and Magneto characters. The actions, the principles, the values/beliefs, just about everything can be seen in Martin and Malcolm. Much like those in the civil rights movement the mutants were in the same equal rights struggle, while at the same time still trying to shape themselves in the midst of their youth. Ok that was my historical connection/soapbox moment. 

I can appreciate a prequel such as X-Men: First Class, maybe with this film, future X-Men flicks can take this same approach...fresh and new!! Bringing in a new set of fresh face actors and a new storyline gives a renewed look and the monotony that we have already seen can be broken. When it is all said and done there is a mutant, hero, anti-hero in all of us, we just have to decide which side we will fight on in the end. All of those new elements along with a great soundtrack make for an outstanding film! Definitely check it out folks, its worth it!!

Sneek Peek: According to Deadline.com 20th Century Fox already has envisioned that X-Men: First Class is the first of new film trilogy.

Rating: 4 out 5 stars