X-Men: First Class

X-Men: First Class

Directed By: Matthew Vaugn

Written By: Matthew Vaugn, Jane Gouldman, Zack Stentz, Ashley Edward Miller

Produced By: Gregory Goodman, Simon Kinberg, Lauren Shuler Donner, Bryan Singer

Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, January Jones, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oliver Platt, Kevin Bacon

Plot: In 1962, during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the film focuses on the relationship between Professor X and Magneto and the origin of their groups, the X-Men and the Brotherhood of Mutants.

The film is fast, very fast. Numerous things happen at the same time, and usually in a film, this doesn't work whatsoever. But, Matthew Vaughn (Director) manages to keep everything in place and isn''t confusing. It has some very clear moments, which gives the film something to say about itsself. In fact, the whole film could be a metaphor against segregation and racism. The mutants feel segregated and cut off from the rest of society, showing us how they feel about not being accepted into the normal world is an eye-opener into the hearts of many people affected by this kind of problem.

This film completely overshadows the original X-Men series, which was recieved poorly by critics and the public. First Class has layers of depth and a considerable amount of emotion in each of the characters. For example, we see how deep Magneto/Erik Leshnerr's psycological scars are from his horrific experiences in the Nazi concentration camps. However, the writers of the screenplay have been clever enough and wise enough not to turn the film into a mindless revenge flick.

It's clever, pacy and entertaining. Obviously, there were no mutants involved in the Cuban Missile Crisis, but whilst watching the film, you wish that is how nuclear war was averted, and is almost believeable.

The film's only cameo is rather amusing for anyone who is familiar with the X-Men series. There are more of the Origins films planned, and if they are written, and filmed as well as First Class, then they too should be a success.

Written By Eammon Jacobs