X-Men: First Class (DVD, 2011)

Fans of the comics might be pleasantly surprised by how well this film stands on its own, considering how much it disregards the series' continuity.
This reboot/prequel jumps back to the early 60s where the "X-Men" have not yet been established, as Charles has only just graduated from Oxford, and Erik is hunting Nazis. This could have been a terrible movie - the cast could have clashed and the attitudes could have been less polite. Instead, we can enjoy a great on-screen chemistry between the two lead actors James McAvoy (Xavier) and Michael Fassbender (Magneto), a flirty and interesting Jennifer Lawrence (Mystique), a quirky and snobbish Kevin Bacon (Shaw), and a genuinely fun group of younger actors portraying the mutants Charles takes in.

Michael Fassbender steals the show in a memorable performance which definitely rivals Ian McKellen's. He has such charisma, from his body language to his flirtatious smile, even through a brooding stare - this is a young Magneto who has a dark side that you want to see emerge at every turn.

The problems I have with the film aren't too big, but they are definitely noticeable. All the non-mutants are portrayed as unintelligent, ignorant, and downright stupid. They are less characters and more along the lines of objects our mutant heroes and villains play with... sometimes only for the purpose of showing off their powers. Charles, Shaw, Erik, and Raven don't give a second thought to using them as play things - something which is in character for a few of them, but not our leading man. Anyway, they lack depth, can't be taken seriously, and can even distract the viewer from the plot.

As it stands, I consider it one of the best X-Men films to date, just shy of "X2: X-Men United". If you think you'll enjoy an action-filled, fun-oriented, drama-inclined sci-fi flick, this is just for you.

As a childhood fan of the books in the sixties and seventies, I knew going in there would be many moments during the movie where origin actualities get rearranged or omitted altogether. Although purists may lament, the differences seem to put the first three X movies in a new light.

This prequel establishes the distrust between human and mutant kind and seems to set the table for the rise of the Sentinels, if not next film-than soon after. The end also forms the brotherhood of 'evil' mutants.

Good looking cast..it's already unfair they have powers isn't it? Great pacing and tremendous likability towards the Charles and Erik characters. Also, a cameo somewhere momentarily takes you away from the film.

The movie also pays homage to the Xmen's original inspiration during the 1960's...people who are not accepted by the world but can accept themselves and make a world of difference.

Well thier was alot of reason's I liked this movie. Let me 1st start off by saying, I was a fan of the other xmen movies, but didn't really think they were anything special. I always liked Hugh, and his wolverine character, but that was pretty much it. Infact I didn't really like the Wolverine movie. So when this was comming out, I didn't pay any attention to the previews, or had any intrest in watching it. When I started watching this movie, I found myself drawn in. I had/have a totally new outlook on Professor X, and although wolverine wasn't a star in this movie. Maginato, stepped in as a character very similar to Wolverines. It was nice to see the beginning of how the xmen were formed. See some characters, that we have watched in other films that we know don't survive. Over all, this was the best xmen movie for me to watch. I really enjoyed it, found that the actors were BETTER then the ones in the previous movies, although I didn't hear much about them before this movie. I'm so glad I watched it, and plan on watching it again. Great movie, easy call on this 1. 5stars! BUY BUY BUY

How much do we expect from superhero movies? Do we ask that they be faithful? Do we demand they be grittier so we can argue that they’re more mature and therefore better? Or do we ask that they be fun, disposable entertainment? That answer probably depends on the property, although the tone and plot of the most famous superhero comics have varied so widely over the years that there’s no single answer. Keeping this in mind, Matthew Vaughn’s X-Men: First Class forges its own path, not just in terms of the X-Men franchise, but in the superhero genre. The film is stylish and exhilarating, but it’s also darker, more intense, and all the better for it.

First Class is a prequel that takes us back to the origins of not only the X-Men, but between its founders Charles Xavier aka “Professor X” (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr aka “Magneto” (Michael Fassbender). We witness how both men are mutants by nature (Xavier a telepath and Lehnsherr a master of magnetism), but their attitudes towards man are based in their nurture. Xavier grows up pampered in a mansion in Westchester, New York and develops an early friendship with a young Raven Darkholme aka “Mystique” (Jennifer Lawrence). In Europe, Erik is placed in a Nazi concentration camp where he’s forced to develop his powers under the auspices of a cruel officer (Kevin Bacon).

This could easily be called "X-Men Origins: Magneto"
These are the X-Men uniforms of my youth, and it was nice to see them represented. Excellent casting with a nice bit of "historical" story-telling. I missed the usual Stan Lee cameo and it was a bit on the long side, but all in all a nice prequel and those who enjoyed the other X-Men movies should like this one.