X Men : First Class

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 10th June, 2011 (India)
Time : 132 minutes
Director & Co-Writer : Mathew Vaughn; Co-Writers : Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman; Music : Henry Jackman
Starring : James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon, Jennifer Lawrence, Oliver Platt, Rose Byrne, Nicholas Hoult,January Jones, Zoe Kravitz

Even though I haven’t seen or read X Men before, I enjoyed this film, which is noteworthy for its special effects & extremely ‘boys with toys’ storyline. The casting, particularly, Kevin Bacon and James McAvoy helped as well


In the quite eerie start, a young boy when separated from his mother at a concentration camp displays a freakish magnetic power, which is spotted by the camp doctor. The doctor (Bacon) exploits the boy for his own gain, and the boy, when he grows up (Michael Fassbender), becomes a one man army out for vengeance. Along the way, he finds several other people with such special powers and they become collectively known as ‘mutants’ and even become part of a special cell of the US Army. However, they are up against Kevin Bacon who has his own mutant cronies and wants to start World War III.



The other interesting plot involves the relationship between James McAvoy, who is rich, polished and a mutant with mind reading powers, and Michael, who is slowly able to channel his anger to better use. Also, the connect between Jennifer (another mutant and also James’ constant companion since childhood) & Michael has interesting undertones.



It is fascinating as a viewer to watch different, ordinary looking people with these special powers. One can read minds, another can fly and breathe fire. A third can emit fire bombs. Someone can move at a very fast speed while another can change form. Its great viewing as you watch these different folk come together and fight each other.


It reminded me of the time when we were kids and used to harass our parents with unending questions like ‘If Superman had to fight Spiderman, who would win? And Hulk vs Batman ?’. It reminds me of the time when we would all secretly wish we had some special power, that was ours and ours alone. This movie brings back those memories in a flood and manages to marry that with some intelligent dialogue and plot points.


BTW, who do you think would win between Superman and Spiderman ? And Batman ?