"X-Men: First Class" is the prequel to the "X-Men" movie from 2000. It tells the story of the original X-Men and their training to become the X-Men. It also reveals the origins of Magneto's brotherhood, which is the group of archenemies at war with the X-Men in other "X-Men" installments.
To viewers who have never collected comic books or followed the "X-Men" series, "X-Men: First Class" can seem refreshingly unpredictable or frustratingly hard to follow. "X-Men: First Class" requires full attention to be fully understood. Some viewers may have to watch this movie twice.
This movie is worth watching twice in one week. It is complex enough and engaging enough to be one of those rare films that viewers can enjoy watching twice in the same week before moving on to the next movie. Every scene in this movie is essential for fully understanding the entire film. This film is too fast paced to be for slow people.
It helps to understand some historical background to better understand the film, but too much awareness of history can make certain scenes too disturbing for the viewer. This movie includes a shocking scene with Nazis. This scene makes the viewer sympathize with the future leader of the X-Men's archenemies. This scene is not too disturbing for most viewers because it is set in a film that is fantastical.
This film makes most film adaptations of comic book stories look like bubblegum flicks. "X-Men First Class" is too gritty and profound to be like a comic book movie. This movie includes implicit commentary about human nature.. There is rich character development in this movie.
This movie breaks away from the simplistic "good versus evil" pattern that comic book movies have traditionally used. Some of the villains are capable of love for others and are self-righteous people. The heroes are immature and initially lack dedication. Some of the villains have interesting motivations for becoming villains. This movie forces the viewer to sympathize with those villains that are not soulless.
A script with rich character development calls for better acting than some of the acting in this movie. Actress Jennifer Lawrence has a weak ability to make facial expressions. Her voice could be more expressive without overacting.
"X-Men: First Class" is the action movie to watch this year. It is not an overly serious movie but it is still interesting. It has inventive special effects. This movie has interesting characters. The storyline is refreshingly unpredictable. Some of the scenery is breathtaking. It has almost every element needed for a perfect movie.
