Entertainment of the highest class. Review on X Men First Class

X Men has has been one of my favourite comic book series. It has boasted terrific action scenes, and some towering performances from well known actors like Sir Ian McKellen(Magneto), Patrick Stewart(Professor X), and Hugh Jackman(Wolverine). So it was a bit of a risk to take this movie back to the origins with a new, largely unknown cast. As Professor X and Erik Lehnsherr, James McAvoy and Micheal Fassbender had pretty big shoes to fill. Yet what kept my faith in this film was director Matthew Vaughan's track record, as he was yet to make a dissapointing movie(Layer Cake, Kick-Ass, Stardust). And he exceeded expectations and more.

First Class tells the story of how Erik and Charles got to know each other and formed a very close friendship before breaking up for ideological reasons, but before doing so, how they went about creating the X-Men and battled to save the world from the machinations of mutant Sebastian Shaw(Kevin Bacon) in attempting to provoke nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

What Vaughan does so well is give us an insight into Erik and Charles individually before they meet up, while one goes around the world seeking to avenge the death of his mother in WW2, the other charmingly woos ladies(especially fellow mutants) to the irritation of his assistant Raven(Jennifer Lawrence). As a result there is immense depth to the characterisations of both Erik and Charles and we end up caring deeply about them when they meet, bond, and eventually break up. Make no mistake, this is a film about story and characters before action, and even the rest of the X-Men, especially'Beast' and'Mystique' have their sub-plots. First Class packs a lot in to 2 hours and 12 minutes, the training undergone by the X-Men which contrasts with the imminent threat of nuclear war and Erik's relentless quest to find and kill Shaw. As a result there is plenty of entertainment on offer for us throughout, yet without making it seem that scenes are rushed or abandoning the feel of an epic movie.

First Class also boasts of stunning visual scenes, which at times serve as a mere distraction e.g. the pretty ladies that dot the film and some idyllic landscapes, but otherwise take your breath away, especially the action oriented climax scenes. Dialogue scenes, especially between Charles and Erik are major highlights too. Besides, the movie benefits tremendously from a terrific score by Henry Jackman which is breathless and tension filled, apt for the film yet at the same time an intriguing listen on its own.

At times you feel that First Class tries to pack a lot of things into one film that may have been saved for a future sequel, and the multitude of characters mean that some have to take a backseat in the proceedings e.g. Emma Frost(January Jones). It could also have done with a little bit of trimming to keep the Erik-Charles relationship the main focus of the movie, as that is its main selling point.

Nevertheless, First Class is a must-see in theaters, as it balances the right amount of humour, seriousness, and action. Special kudos must go to McAvoy and Fassbender who have given their all in their performances of Charles and Erik, and much of the rest of the cast, who do full justice to their secondary roles. For some mindblowing action scenes, historical intrigue, and an interesting relationship between two complex characters, First Class is entertainment of the highest class.

Verdict: Must-watch

Rating: 9/10