MOVIE REVIEW: "X-Men: First Class" by @KEVINFERERE

So you're thinking "X-Men...yeah, it's gonna be all about Wolverine.  Everyone's gonna look extra sexy in leather get-ups and flaunt their supernatural powers to look bad-ass."  Uuuuuuuuh...not quite.  This film was a change of pace.  Not your typical comic book super-hero action-thriller, but more like a thespian display of cinematic craftsmanship with allegoric intricacy that moves and compels in true Hollywood fashion.

The movie rings in a gold star in authenticity and realism with it's time setting in historical events as well as somewhat consistency with the comic book...especially the classic characters that you don't see anymore.  From the Holocaust to the Cuban Missile crisis, your emotional investment for each character garners handsome returns, vicariously feeling as though you're an X-Man yourself.  The concept of genetic misfits congregating for a greater good is always appealing to our human nature.  After all, everything we're not makes us everything we are.

THE ACTORS/CHARACTERS

Xavier (Professor X)
James McAvoy

The composed, stoic demeanor of Professor X has always been the mainstay of the alchemy of the X-Men wild.  James McAvoy captured that essence gracefully, portraying the film's emotional anchor, as well as the catalyst counterpart to the wildfire that is Magneto's character.  It struck me though.  Throughout the X-Men franchise, their kinship has always been embraced with strong reverence for each other.  This film never let up, and even went deeper into the origins of their relationship which established the focal point for the film, and even the franchise.  It brought a richness and authenticity to the franchise like never before and made you appreciate the characters watching it all culminate in perfect sequence with the realistic historical setting.

Erik Lensherr (Magneto)
Michael Fassbender

Magneto's diligence is always at the mercy of his unbridled passion for vengeance for those in steep demise at the caprice of men who persecute them for their sheer existence.  His cause is always counterbalanced by his effect, as he walks the fine political line of liberator and terrorist.  Michael Fassbender sells himself into this role, engendering the sympathy well needed for such a complex character; not to mention that character being a holocaust survivor.  The "Erik Lensherr" character's agenda renders him hellbent for a vengeance of bloodthirsty proportions; even to the point of inadvertent, accidental suicide in lieu of his pursuit for the mongering "Sebastian Shaw".  And with such intensity, you would think Michael Fassbender's role would steal the show, yet he would enhance it as the cornerstone of such a masterful story line.

Raven (Mystique)
Jennifer Lawrence

The mystique that is Mystique has always been a mystery.  And that's what makes origin movies so darn juicy.  How could someone so dastardly and conniving have been bred from such humble, modest beginnings.  One could ask was her path chosen, or predetermined.  Jennifer Lawrence's character, as well as some other young characters in the film, were given the moral ultimatum to choose a path of righteousness or nobility.  A juxtaposition that every hero must face the crossroads of their careers.  Being the villain in order to do a hero's work.  Yet young Mystique is faced with an even deeper conundrum, challenged by the Magneto character (who is known throughout the franchise as an advocate for rights of any species), involving self appearance with self acceptance.  Which shall she choose?

Hank (Beast)
Nicholas Hoult

Nicholas Halt blended into this role very well, budding with exuberance of youthful genius that we've all come to love in the "Beast" character.  His ferocity and intellect appeals to our very nature.  He presents his talents as a great asset to his comrades yet finds himself struggling with self-acceptance in a similar fashion to the "Mystique" character (hence their romance being cultivated).  In an effort to suppress his perceived shortcomings, he inadvertently accentuates them, proving to himself they need not be shortcomings after all.

Sebastian Shaw
Kevin Bacon

As much of a fan I am of the authentic comic book series of the X-Men, the "Sebastian Shaw" character is still completely new to me, being as that that character was presented in the series way before I was old enough to get into comics myself.  I found it intriguing though, his ties to the great "Gambit" character who appeared in "Wolverine: Origins" (2009). (check the wiki on that one...)  But aside from that, the legendary Kevin Bacon held his own as usual playing a villainous role, which he admits, was a bit unfamiliar to.  (So much for 6 degrees, huh, lol)  But his insidiousness surely crawled up your spine and into your veins in the beginning, with the heart wrenching origins of Magneto's holocaust survival.  Yet throughout the film he became "typical evil mastermind" and all you wanted to do was foil his plans and get on with life.  Still well done though.

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