X-Men: First Class

Another X-Men, what a surprise. Hollywood wants to make some more money off people who are willing to stick around for an old franchise. Most of the time this is a bad thing but with the fifth entry into what everyone thought was a dying series, Marvel has managed to pull off the seldom done. Hold on to your hats folks because we aren't riding economy anymore.

A young Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) discovers an intruder in his house, Raven (or mystique, Jennifer Lawrence). They become fast friends, even though that makes almost no sense in the other films canon. Meanwhile Erik Lehnsherr (Magneto, Michael Fassbender) gets a repeat of the first scene in the first X-Men movie. His mom gets taken away by the Nazis and Erik bends iron gates around like butter. Unbeknownst to audiences of the first movie Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) was watching. Shaw brings Erik in and gets him to use his powers through anger. It kind of works like the dark side, but who wouldn't go to the dark side after their mom gets shot by Nazis? The audience assumes that Shaw trains Erik to use his powers but somehow they end up separated. Erik makes it his life goal to hunt down Shaw and deliver some metal bending justice. Unfortunately, Shaw has mutant powers of his own, the ability to absorb and reuse energy.

The movie really should just be titled Magneto, because Michael Fassbender steals the show. There's more to it obviously, Charles eventually catches up to Magneto and together with the CIA they find a couple young mutants to help them fight Shaw. The entire movie culminates in a showdown between Shaw and the X-Men at a re-imagined version of the Cuban Missile Crisis. One in which the X-Men save the day.

Let's start off by saying that First Class was a pleasant surprise. I was certain it was going to be bad. I didn't count on James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. McAvoy takes on his role with gusto, giving us a glimpse into a young Professor X, one who uses his considerable knowledge to hit on women at bars. Unlike Patrick Stewart, McAvoy has a full head of hair, "Are you sure we can't shave your head? Don't touch my hair," but he adopts the role very well. Fassbender is brilliant. His anger and hatred seethes through his performance and his mission is one of vengeance; only slightly halted by his budding bromance with Charles. The dynamic between the two friends/allies in the original series was intriguing to say the least. X-Men: First Class expands upon it like a college thesis and adds so many more dimensions that makes the two an incredible case study. The way Charles's handicap ties in is so emotionally charged I was almost prepared to pay for another ticket and see it again.

The special effects are top notch (as they should be) and the violence gets brutal. Magneto takes no prisoners and it is fantastic. There were so many wow moments that just made me love this movie even more. But it wasn't too dark, somehow it was still a light film with some funny lines.

The only detraction from the film are the young actors trying to fill the shoes of the older X-Men in previous films. Once Frasier plays the Beast you can't really have anyone else do it. When the kids were the focus of the story, it turned into a mutant breakfast club. Pass, give me some more action. And Rose Byrne as the sympathetic CIA agent was terrible. She left a bad taste in my mouth.

First Class isn't as good as the second X-Men. It is way better than the third and it may be on par or better than the first. A great re-entry into the franchise after the disappointing Wolverine film. A great way to start off this superhero packed summer and watch for Michael Fassbender in the million roles he is now going to be offered. First Class gets an extra half star because it surprised me so much.

3 and a 1/2 out of 4 stars

-Christopher O'Connell

P.S. Wolverine has a great cameo that had the audience clapping. I wish I could ruin it.