Jethro's Note: What's this? A summer blockbuster with no 3D? Shocking.
Actually, it's not that shocking. But, that's a story for another day.
For its latest entry in the X-Men franchise, Fox decided to go back to where it all began. Literally.
As with 2000's X-Men, the new X-Men: First Class opens in Auschwitz when a young prisoner magnetically bends a gate. This is Erik, later Magneto, whom sinister Dr. Schmidt (Kevin Bacon) has nasty plans for.
Years later, now played by Michael Fassbender, Erik searches for the doctor, now named Sebastian Shaw. Shaw and his associates plot to escalate the Cold War into a Nuclear War so mutants can take over. Because of this, the CIA wants to catch Shaw too, and they've recruited Charles Xavier (James MacAvoy) to help them. They then recruit a few young mutants, the first X-Men, to help in the fight.
Of course, those familiar with Marvel Comic knows what happens next (sort of). But with director Matthew Vaughn ("Kick-Ass") calling the shots, how it happens is the good part.
What makes it good is the ensemble cast. They have great chemistry together and know how to stand out. Amongst the X-Men, the goofy Banshee (Caleb Landry Jones) and the brainy Beast (Nicholas Hoult) are highlights; meanwhile, the evil Azazel (Jason Flemyng) makes a formidable villain. But the best of them is a hilarious one-scene, one-line cameo from a certain clawed mutant.
With nice effects enhancing its action scenes, this prequel firmly passes the entertainment test well. This is a class worth taking. 'Nuff said.
No comments:
Post a Comment