X Men - First Class

X Men First Class, is the stylish origin story set in the 60's, of how the mutants came to be, and explains more fully the relationships of the characters that we see in the later ("original") X Men Films.

The film is set in the 60's and follows Erik's (a superb Michael Fassbender) hunt for his mother's murderer and his sadistic mentor Shaw, (Kevin Bacon). Meanwhile Charles Xavier, (James Mcavoy) a proffessor of genetics and mutant mind reader is approached by a member of the CIA (Rose Byrne) to help them find Shaw and his mutant friends, to stop him from starting world war 3. In this plot to save the world, new young mutants are found and trained to hone their powers and use them for good.

It was a big risk making this film. X men one and two were entertaining enough, but the third was a huge flop and wolverine origins (as much as I am a fan of Jackman) was a disapointment. However, what we have in First Class is a very stylish, clever and well acted film. My favourite thing about it is its two leads, Charles and Erik (Proffessor X and Magneto). Mcavoy is in my opinion (to some peoples disagreement) a very good  Xavier, creating a cheeky and youthful character, but still managing to work the fatherly care and affection that he develops for his younger mutants. Fassbender blew me away as the character of Erik (despite a bit of dodgy accents). He just brought so much charisma and charm to such a confused and vengeful character. Together, Mcavoy and Fassbender create a very sweet realtionship that does add to the context of the first X men films. Jennifer Lawrence is also very good as Mystique, giving us an intriguing backstory to the blue beauty.

So was this a five star film? Not quite. Whilst this film did very well in it's leads, and in general the story of discovering new mutants, it lacked oomph with its "baddies". Kevin Bacon was fine as Shaw, and in fact had a promising start at the beginning when he kills Eriks mother. However, he gets a little dull after that, losing personality and becoming nothing more than his powers. I also felt that Shaw's companion Emma Frost (January Jones) was just a bit of a waste of time. She didn't add anything to the film, and it also seemed like she was developing added powers left right and centre.

So by all means, not a perfect film, but really quite entertaining. It sort of makes me sad that there are already films when they are older, not giving them much space to go into further films and plotlines. But i would not be suprised if they gave it a go anyway.

Stylish, entertaining and clever. 4/5