X-Men: First Class (2011)

directed by Matthew Vaughn

starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence

This movie was not perfect. It was a bit campy at times. Some of the supporting acting was weak. The writing was not particularly ingenious. It definitely did not approach Nolan's Batman films.

Okay, now that that's out of the way:

I loved this movie. I would have gladly watched it again the same day. It was fun, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender were fantastic (remind me how I ever described him as less than "blindingly handsome"?) and it did its job as a prequel while finding a life of its own. The film brings a bit to think about along with the popcorn, though its ethical dilemnas are nowhere near the philosophical intensity of anything with Christopher Nolan's name on it. No, this is a film helmed by the same person who brought us Stardust and Kick-Ass, and he brings a similar lightness to the X-Men franchise along with some long-missed quality.

McAvoy and Fassbender both turned in excellent performances here, though it's Fassbender's emotional intensity that steals the film. January Jones was sexy but not much else as Emma Frost - the only cast member who truly stuck out for poor acting. Kevin Bacon clearly enjoyed himself in a performance that many have called Bond-villian-esque. Jennifer Lawrence also delivered as Mystique, but while her development was interesting, it wasn't a fully convincing Heel Face Turn. This is the person who poisons Professor X in the original film - but then again, apart from a few entertaining cameos, this movie is no slave to continuity.

This proves to be a good thing. While seeing the original movies would help you appreciate a few bald jokes here and there, it's not necessary to get caught up in the world and its characters. That said, as someone whose comic book knowledge comes pretty exclusively from comic book movies, I'm not necessarily the best judge of adaptation faithfulness. Accurate or not, it's a fun, entertaining, well-acted, qaulity summer blockbuster. I'm thrilled enough with that.

Coming Soon: X-Men (2000), Hamlet, Agora, Saving Private Ryan