My movie review of X-men First Class

I made this review before I started this blog. I was so excited after seeing the film, I wrote this. Of course, I had to edit it a bit because I was almost gushing in its unedited form. And now like the other pieces hidden in my netbook, I want to let it see the light of day, to have it read by others. Maybe those who haven’t seen the film can finally see it on DVD and those who have can appreciate it again. 

Thank you.

A movie review of X-Men First Class

I have to write this before the feeling escapes. A feeling after realizing you have fallen in love or made a startling epiphany about yourself. What started out as a one of the few dates my husband and I have in almost a year transformed me to a witness to a thrilling and an emotional stirring film. It’s been awhile since a film captured and enthralled me like this. A book usually does with its graphic prose and unflinching commentaries but seldom does an action film does this to me.

The acting of James McAvoy and Michael Fessbender is worthy of Oscar nominations for me if this is not comic based movie. The way they held the character together and let the audience see who their characters really were more than their mutant powers is makes this movie worthwhile view. The drama of their friendship and the eventual drifting away due to their different causes is also worth seeing more than the spectacular special effects.

I believe that more than anything that special effects are only the icing in the cake, that it is the story and the evolution of the characters that will make the film more memorable. And this is what this movie has attempted to do and has successfully done so. It has taken the viewer not only on a visual journey but an internal journey, one that he remembers long after he has left the theater. He brings it with him after he has slept and remembers it the day after.

I also believe that films are another art form because like other pieces of art, it has the power to move you and enthrall you. And the thing that successful books and movies does is take the reader or viewer to another world, to another time and most importantly to another emotional landscape. These bring him to another train of thought that never lets go. He is not the same person before the book or the film.

James McAvoy still magnificent in his craft is always a pleasure to watch. A wonderful thespian, you momentarily forget that you’re watching a popcorn movie and not a movie of Shakespeare. His character is so enigmatic he makes every dialogue effortless and believable. He really has this gift of magnifying his emotions enabling audiences to see right through it.

And Michael Fessbender is a wonderful discovery. A good foil to James MacAvoy, he can exchange emotional sequences with him point by point. Like James, you can feel his pain, his anger, a mark of a great actor. His commanding presence coupled with a polished charisma like James Bond is also a sight to watch.

The highlight for this duo was the scene where Magneto (Michael Fassbender) had to channel his power to move a satellite dish. Professor X  (James McAvoy) had to go through his memories and tell him to channel it to the part of his heart that exists between rage and serenity. It was a powerful scene that moved me especially the scene when the two actors are on tears. I also love the part where Professor X had to save Magneto from drowning, to tell him to let go the submarine or risk his life. And more than the actors, I also want to commend the scriptwriter, Simon Kinberg, his words gave the film its heart.

Not many movie can achieve what this movie did, to combine the elements of a good action movie with the heart of the characters. It was a big risk but they have been successful because here the viewers were able to connect with the characters first, taking the back story in thereby heightening their appreciation to the special effects that followed. As such, it gave the movie a more lasting impression. 

Because a movie bloated with special effects and minimal character formulation or weak plot is like eating a lot of icing. It may taste wonderful at first then after a while it loses its appeal leaving one to crave for something more substantial. Similar to someone who is unable to remember what the film was all about after leaving the theater and worse, not remembering it the next day. Fortunately, this did not happen to X-men First Class. Well, to me at least.