X-Men: First Class

"X-Men: First Class"
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon, January Jones, Rose Byrne, Oliver Platt
Directed by: Matthew Vaughn
132 minutes
2011/USA

The heart of the X-Men series, five films now, has always been the opposing rift and dynamic between Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr, both better know as Professor X and Magneto respectively. First Class goes back to the beginning to show us how these two men of similar background and makeup chose different paths which ultimately led to their future opposition. This film has a light aura to it, which unfortunately makes it feel less inspired than the first two installments in the series, X-Men and X-2: X-Men United. 


This film was directed by Matthew Vaughn, who has dabbled in the world of comic book films already with last year's Kick-Ass, a film which I found to be pretty forgettable. Vaughn isn't on the level of a J.J. Abrams, but is okay in making an entertaining, but hardly thought provoking Summer blockbuster. Without the likes of James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender to portray Xavier and Lensherr, I'm not quite sure this film would have a leg to stand on. Yes, it's an origin story, but one that moves at such a rapid, thoughtless pace, as to sidestep any real characterization and get straight to the action.

And this is all fine for what kind of film it is, but First Class doesn't come anywhere close to the best comic-book film adaptations of the last 10 years. It's nowhere near as tight or intriguing as its predecessor X-2, and is probably third in the pecking order of all the X-Men films. The film adds up to a less than cohesive jumble of multiple plot strands that somehow end up as fun and uninspired all at once. The film juxtaposes the origins of several mutants with The Cold War, something that could've been intriguing in other hands, but it feels clunky and watered down here. Kevin Bacon plays Sebastian Shaw, a sinister German with plans for world domination, he's got several mutant sidekicks, most notably Emma Frost, a telepath played by January Jones. Bacon feels out of place here, hardly menacing, but with the tidy haircut and line delivery that must seem villainous to someone

There is at least some fun to be had here. Anytime McAvoy and Fassbender are on screen, we're more in tune with the film. Both are game for this, and each fits their role perfectly. McAvoy's studious and clever portrayal of Charles Xavier contrasts Fassbender's unforgiving Erik Lensherr very well, but whenever the two aren't on screen, the film is like a leaking boat in the middle of the ocean. Jennifer Lawrence, who was great in last year's Winter's Bone, is not bad here as Raven/Mystique, a shape-shifter who feels alienated like the rest of her mutant friends. The notion of being alone and different is something the film tackles, but in such an adolescent and rushed manner.

First Class's doesn't have high enough stakes, and this is why it's consistently silly. Rose Byrne who plays a CIA agent is thrown into this plan along with mutants to thwart "World War III," her character literally does nothing. This is what First Class represents, all talk and no delivery. In fact, the whole Cold War plot device is a detriment to the film, and this is sadly where Xavier and Lensherr's paths diverge. There isn't any hint of subtlety throughout the film, director Matthew Vaughn is competent, but seems like he'd be content with pumping out the same film year after year. His style and vision is consistently polished (in a bad way), as the film hardly contains any interesting shots or compositions. It all amounts to the same feeling that was passed off by Thor, forgettable Summer fun. I sat still in my seat for the most part, but re-positioned myself at times for when I thought exciting stuff was ahead, the film delivered on less than half of those occasions. I'm making this sound like an abomination, but First Class is fine by all accounts, turn your brain off and enjoy the absurdity, but savor the moments when Fassbender is on screen, he's truly something else. But remember this, when a 10 second cameo is the best part of a Summer blockbuster, you know you've done something wrong along the way.

Grade: 3/5