X-Men First Class- Love It Or Not? (SPOILERS)

[Huntn]

Based on the box office I assume this poll will come off positive for X-Men, but the movie did not do anything for me. I recognize that opinions will vary, possibly drastically and no one is right other than by majority opinion. Therefore I know I'll lose, but no matter, my feelings are the correct ones. Kidding to some degree.

My knowledge of the original stories colors my views somewhat, but my intent to keep the focus of this discussion on the merits of these movies as good entertainment, not a condemnation of how far they deviate from the original comics. If that was the criteria, I'd have to trash all of them.

After the disappointment of X-Men Last Stand and how they short changed the Dark Phoenix Saga, I was muttering, but I still bought the DVD, which is the ultimate expression of a movie that meets my approval. And then the joy of watching the Wolverine Origins movie! Every single character in that movie was alive and full of character. Fantastic, I thought X-Men is back! Then this movie arrives having miscast several characters, who almost all come off flat, and a director who just can't pull off a story that tries to place the X-Men in the middle of the Cuban Missile Crisis. So sad.

Xavier- miscast.
Mystique- compared to the original portrayal by Rebecca Romijn, this character was SUCH a disappointment and they mentioned something in passing of her being Xavier's sister? (I may not have caught that correctly).
Hank McCoy (Beast)- as compared to the original portrayal by Kelsey Grammer, no comparison and the young Beast looked like a big fuzzy kitty whose personality was not the Beast I know from the comics.
Sebastian Shaw- I don't know, Kevin Bacon just did not carry this character.
Emma Frost- Completely two dimensional.
Magneto- Of all the characters Magneto was pretty good.

How I can go from loving every mutant in 3 X-Men movies (X-Men 1,2, and Wolverine Origins) and loath every character in XMFC except for a 1 min cameo by Wolverine? Every single character in the good movies, light up the screen. In comparison, the 5th movie in the series, is like week old cola. Don't even try to compare these XMFC characters to Sabertooth, Gambit, or Dead Pool. They breathed more life into their characters in 1 min, then the young X-Men could manage in an entire movie. (This is not prejudice against young talent)

Something has to be said for the Director's vision, Brian Singer for the first two and Gavin Hood for the Wolverine movie. In comparison, Matthew Vaughn, director of Kick Ass, dropped the ball so badly, please keep him away from any future X-Men installments!

X-Men: First Class

Original X-Men

X-Men2

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

 

[Mousse]

Retcon gone bad. Nothing worst than a poorly done retroactive continuity. They should have at least kept the original students: Scott Summer (Cyclops), Warren Worthington (Angel, now Archangel), Bobby Drake (Iceman), Jean Grey (Marvel Girl) and Henry McCoy (Beast, well 1 outta 5).

It would have at least kept old school fans from complaining too hard.

 

[mscriv]

I can understand your criticism, but I thought the dynamic of the relationship between Xavier and Magneto (with a little Mystique thrown in there) was well done as it served as the central part/theme of the movie. The X-Men, especially in the comics, has always been about the theme of discrimination/unity and the different ways we can choose to respond to it. I've heard one commentator draw parrallels between Xavier and Martin Luther King and Magneto and Malcolm X in regards to the racial history of the US.

Sure the surrounding cast were somewhat weak, but in my mind that was the whole point. This story was about two strong willed men with vision (Charles and Erik) and how they could be friends yet enemies at the same time. The supporting cast were simply their players and who they chose to follow adds depth to the tension between the opposing sides.

I voted pretty good in your poll, because I enjoyed the film. Like you, I'm a long time X-Men fan and I have to throw out my history and let the film stand on its own. In that respect I thought it was good.

 

[leekohler]

I can understand your criticism, but I thought the dynamic of the relationship between Xavier and Magneto (with a little Mystique thrown in there) was well done as it served as the central part/theme of the movie. The X-Men, especially in the comics, has always been about the theme of discrimination/unity and the different ways we can choose to respond to it. I've heard one commentator draw parrallels between Xavier and Martin Luther King and Magneto and Malcolm X in regards to the racial history of the US.

Sure the surrounding cast were somewhat weak, but in my mind that was the whole point. This story was about two strong willed men with vision (Charles and Erik) and how they could be friends yet enemies at the same time. The supporting cast were simply their players and who they chose to follow adds depth to the tension between the opposing sides.

I voted pretty good in your poll, because I enjoyed the film. Like you, I'm a long time X-Men fan and I have to throw out my history and let the film stand on its own. In that respect I thought it was good.

I have yet to go, but how was Alex Summers/Havoc? He's my favorite and I am excited to see the character in the film.

 

[MacDawg]

I posted this review on my blog...

This week we saw X-Men: First Class on opening weekend. Apparently it isn’t offered in 3-D, which is fine by me. I’m pretty much over watching movies in 3-D and paying the premium. I have enjoyed all of the installments of the X-Men movies, including Wolverine, and the cameo appearance by Wolverine in this film was an unexpected treat. I really liked the idea of a prequel for this franchise because the other story lines had pretty much run their course. This was a welcome addition to explore the relationship between Charles (Professor X) and Eric (Magneto). I like the character developments between them and the tension – friends and enemies at the same time. They have to constantly balance their respect for each other without compromising their own ideals, and we see how that started from the very beginning.

I thought the plot and story were very clever, even though it follows the same overall theme as all of the movies. Using the Cuban missile crisis and the backdrop of the 60′s was well thought out and integrated into the overall story line very well. It wasn’t just a gimmick, it was developed throughout the whole movie by giving behind the scenes looks at what was going on every step.

The special effects were really good… not to the extent of something like Transformers… but they fit the story and were not meaningless attempts to show outrageous special effects. The battle scenes were not overly drawn out to the point where you were hoping someone would die just to end them. Even so, there were some slow spots in the movie. I didn’t like the casting of Kevin Bacon for his part. Most of the scenes involving him directly were yawners for me, and he seemed completely out of place. I think they would have done better using someone unknown or fresh like most of the rest of the cast. In addition, I don’t feel like they took advantage of the supporting cast very well. We were briefly introduce to their powers, but we never really learned much of anything about them as characters. I realize the emphasis was on Charles and Eric, but I think the movie would have been better if some of the time had been diverted from Kevin Bacon to exploring the backgrounds of the other characters a bit, especially since other than Raven, these were not characters we see in the later movies. I do think it leaves the door open for another movie to show the beginnings of the other major characters like Storm and Cyclops, much the same way as they did for Wolverine.

Overall, I really liked the movie, not as much for the action as for the interplay and background between Charles and Eric. We already knew some of Eric’s beginnings, but learning about Raven and how Charles was paralyzed added a lot to the X-Men lore in the movies.

 

[mscriv]

I have yet to go, but how was Alex Summers/Havoc? He's my favorite and I am excited to see the character in the film.

I won't tell you too much as I don't want to spoil it, but they did a pretty good job being faithful to his character in the comics. Like others have mentioned here the supporting cast was not very developed so there's not a lot to say about him. His role serves a purpose and he adds some comic relief.

 

[leekohler]

I won't tell you too much as I don't want to spoil it, but they did a pretty good job being faithful to his character in the comics. Like others have mentioned here the supporting cast was not very developed so there's not a lot to say about him. His role serves a purpose and he adds some comic relief.

Well, he was never a big focus ion the comics either, but I always loved that character for some reason.

 

[Huntn]

I have yet to go, but how was Alex Summers/Havoc? He's my favorite and I am excited to see the character in the film.

I forgot to mention Havok. He was ok, but as others have basically said, besides Xavier, Mystique, and Magneto, upon which the focus was placed in the conflict against the efforts of Sebastian Shaw, the other characters were just there filling up screen space. This goes back to what I was saying about writing and directing. I don't think these were bad actors, but the director and writing failed to bring out the same level of humanity in these characters as in previous X-Men movies.

It's so easy to bring up examples of what I'm talking about. Look at the tormented natures of Wolverine and Rogue. Look at how Bobby Drake (Iceman) was treated by his family when the students fled their school in X-Men2. Remember the tension when two missiles were homing in on the X-Men's SR71 and Jean Grey can't quite destroy them both! The fight between Dead Pool, Victor Creed (Sabertooth), and Wolverine! In skilled hands, rich personality, conflict, traits, and kick ass fights don't take that long to develop in a movie to blow you away. But they are mostly (completely?) absent in XMFC. Even the original comics who barely had any time for character development, did a better job than this movie.

BTW, thanks for the replies and poll participation!

 

[leekohler]

I forgot to mention Havok. He was ok, but as others have basically said, besides Xavier, Mystique, and Magneto, upon which the focus was placed in the conflict against the efforts of Sebastian Shaw, the other characters were just there filling up screen space. This goes back to what I was saying about writing and directing. I don't think these were bad actors, but the director and writing failed to bring out the same level of humanity in these characters as in previous X-Men movies.

It's so easy to bring up examples of what I'm talking about. Look at the tormented natures of Wolverine and Rogue. Look at how Bobby Drake (Iceman) was treated by his family when the students fled their school in X-Men2. Remember the tension when two missiles were homing in on the X-Men's SR71 and Jean Grey can't quite destroy them both! The fight between Dead Pool, Victor Creed (Sabertooth), and Wolverine! In skilled hands, rich personality, conflict, traits, and kick ass fights don't take that long to develop in a movie to blow you away. But they are mostly (completely?) absent in XMFC. Even the original comics who barely had any time for character development, did a better job than this movie.

BTW, thanks for the replies and poll participation!

I'll still go see it and make up my own mind.

 

[Huntn]

I'll still go see it and make up my own mind.

I hope you find it enjoyable. We all have to make up our own minds.

 

[dmr727]

I saw it tonight. I think I bought into a lot of the good reviews - especially the ones comparing it to some of the other reboots such as Batman. I'm not a hard guy to please, so generally if the reviewers like it, I will too. Unfortunately that got my hopes up, and I ended up leaving the theater underwhelmed.

While it was an entertaining way to kill a couple of hours, I didn't find a lot of substance to it. I agree with much of what Huntn said - other than Xavier, Mystique, and Magneto, everything else was screen filler. There were a couple of genuinely good moments, but much of the movie seemed to be simply going through the motions.

 

[Huntn]

I just caught the Wolverine Origins movie on HBO and all my impressions of this movie as compared to First Class were reinforced. When a movie clicks, among other things the characters become bigger than life as if they have an aura about them. XMFC did not achieve this.

 

[vincenz]

It was entertaining. I enjoyed it for the leave-your-brain-at-the-door. Rather not overanalyze a superhero movie

 

[0098386]

I loved it. But then again I liked all the older X-Men films. I read some of the comics as a kid and certainly watched the old cartoon show.

A shame it wasn't in 3D. I bet that final battle scene would have been even more incredible in 3D.

The coin bit though... was that in slow motion or did he just move it slowly? Me and the girlfriend are torn over that bit!

 

[dmr727]

The coin bit though... was that in slow motion or did he just move it slowly? Me and the girlfriend are torn over that bit!

I thought he just moved it slowly.

 

[dXTC]

...
The coin bit though... was that in slow motion or did he just move it slowly? Me and the girlfriend are torn over that bit!

I thought he just moved it slowly.

The pace was indeed deliberately slowed by Erik; his voice is not slowed down as he counts. (Spoiler Alert) Erik wanted Sebastian to suffer psychologically during the count before he died, as payback for Sebastian's three-count before killing Erik's mother during the intro sequence. (End)

Anyway, I liked the film. The Wolverine cameo was hilarious. It was also nice to see the appearance of Emma Frost and especially Banshee, who got arguably the most character development of all the minors. I would have rather seen the original "first class" as portrayed in the comics, but many of those characters have already been portrayed in their younger years (Cyclops in Origins: Wolverine, Jean Grey and Angel in X-men 3) which could have made for a tired rehash or, even worse, a wildly inconsistent retcon.

However, I still like X-Men 3: The Last Stand the best of all the X-Movies so far.

 

[leekohler]

However, I still like X-Men 3: The Last Stand the best of all the X-Movies so far.

!

You got to be kidding.

 

[aloofman]

I just caught the Wolverine Origins movie on HBO and all my impressions of this movie as compared to First Class were reinforced. When a movie clicks, among other things the characters become bigger than life as if they have an aura about them. XMFC did not achieve this.

I recently watched it on HBO too, but wasn't as impressed. Some of the special effects were great, others were very amateurish. The Xavier appearance was cheesy. Schreiber was over-the-top as Victor Creed, even by comic book movie standards. Jackman was good as usual and Huston was a good bad guy, but I felt like the story tried to do too much prequel storytelling in one movie.

 

[Huntn]

It was entertaining. I enjoyed it for the leave-your-brain-at-the-door. Rather not overanalyze a superhero movie

My analysis is based on viewing enjoyment.

However, I still like X-Men 3: The Last Stand the best of all the X-Movies so far.

I consider X-Men2 & Wolverine Origins the best of the 5 X-men movies. Although X-Men movie reality is a far cry from X-Men comic reality, I have really enjoyed the emphasis on Wolverine (4 of 5) and Hugh Jackman the actor who portrays him. Three of those movies deal with his story. (1,2, and Wolverine Origins).

I recently watched it on HBO too, but wasn't as impressed. Some of the special effects were great, others were very amateurish. The Xavier appearance was cheesy. Schreiber was over-the-top as Victor Creed, even by comic book movie standards. Jackman was good as usual and Huston was a good bad guy, but I felt like the story tried to do too much prequel storytelling in one movie.

Victor Creed seems very in tune with a comic character persona. Specifically what I don't like in the movies is the compression of the stories which I acknowledge is necessary to some degree for moving the story from comic to movie. But my feeling is that Marvel has told the movie makers do what ever you want with story and characters. Sometimes that is not so good.

 

[daneoni]

I agree Magneto was the best character. But lets face it there was no way McAvoy would beat Patrick Stewart. I didn't mind Raven/Mystique buts thats probably my penis talking.

Emma Frost was the worst. Entire movie all she did was get up, turn on diamond mode and/or say one useless line. Rinse repeat.

X2/Wolverine are still the hallmark ones to watch.

 

[Huntn]

I agree Magneto was the best character. But lets face it there was no way McAvoy would beat Patrick Stewart. I didn't mind Raven/Mystique buts thats probably my penis talking.

Emma Frost was the worst. Entire movie all she did was get up, turn on diamond mode and/or say one useless line. Rinse repeat.

X2/Wolverine are still the hallmark ones to watch.

I mostly agree with your assessment, although I found Jennifer Lawrence (young Mystique) very flat in comparison to old Mystique. In previous X-Men there were high levels of human emotional interaction, suffering, betrayal, etc. Wolverine Origins oozes with it. The emotional connection is missing from First Class. Emma was a real 2D character.

Another example, it was the emotional connection to the Spiderman movie characters which makes them special, filling them out, making them feel real vs parodies. Green Goblin is an incredible villain. My example of a parody would be Emma Frost or Kevin Spacy as Lex Luther. Yes, it's an opinionated view. BTW, I blame the writers not the actors/director, not Kevin Spacy.

 

[Mac'nCheese]

Not enough action. Didn't need stupid 15 minute Rocky like training montage. In the other films, it seems like Magneto and X had this long friendship and then a big falling out. In this film, they hung out together for a few weeks. If that. Also, how come X could walk at the end of Wolverine but in this film is in a wheelchair years before?

This guy didn't really like it:

http://www.screenjunkies.com/video/links-away-guy-didnt-like-x-men-at-all/

 

[aloofman]

My example of a parody would be Emma Frost or Kevin Spacy as Lex Luther. Yes, it's an opinionated view. BTW, I blame the writers not the actors/director, not Kevin Spacy.

The main problem wasn't the script. It was that anyone thought a Superman remake needed to be made in the first place. It was so similar to the first Superman movie that by the midpoint I was asking myself why anybody bothered to go through the trouble.

And the specific problem for Spacey was that Gene Hackman nailed the Luther role in the first two films. Anything Spacey did would just seem like a lame impersonation, even though he made a solid effort to make it his own.

 

[Huntn]

!

You got to be kidding.

So did you go see it?

Not enough action. Didn't need stupid 15 minute Rocky like training montage. In the other films, it seems like Magneto and X had this long friendship and then a big falling out. In this film, they hung out together for a few weeks. If that. Also, how come X could walk at the end of Wolverine but in this film is in a wheelchair years before?

This guy didn't really like it:

http://www.screenjunkies.com/video/links-away-guy-didnt-like-x-men-at-all/

Call it a time glitch. Your video link is hilarious. This is a parody or this person apparently has no familiarity with the X-Men story. He went to see a movie about transgender men... lol. He made me laugh as did this guy who loved it and wrote a song..

 

[0098386]

However, I still like X-Men 3: The Last Stand the best of all the X-Movies so far.

Same here. But I don't there has been a bad X-Men movie yet. Each one has its merits and I enjoyed all of them for different reasons.

Quite tempted to pick up the quadrilogy boxset now! (1-3+Wolverine)