Film Review: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011) - Revisited

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writers (screenplay): Ashley Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, Matthew Vaughn
Writers (story): Sheldon Turner, Bryan Singer
Running Time: 127 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
UK Release Date: 1^st June 2011

Watched on Sky+ Friday 29^th June 2012.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

I saw this film on the first day of release just over a year ago and was keen to see it it was still as good when it aired on TV for the first time this week. What follows is basically the review I wrote then with a few alterations and additions. A really enjoyable film with quite a complicated plot but I found that despite a running time of over two hours it really flew by! Testament to the writers, actors, director and everyone else involved, it’s a big thumbs up from me. Here’s a brief summary before I give you my thoughts.

We are told the story of how Charles Xavier founded his school for mutants in 1963. How he and his best friend, Erik Lehnsherr, later to be known as Magneto, had differing visions for the future for mutants. The stories of Hank McCoy (Beast) and Raven (Mystique), amongst others, are also told, particularly how Raven grew up with Charles but ultimately couldn’t see his vision. The narrative is set against the Cuban Missile Crisis, which, for the purposes of this story, is manipulated by one Sebastian Shaw, who has his own reasons for wanting to start a nuclear war. Shaw also has a very strong significance to Erik but I’m not going to tell you about that here (no spoilers here).

A really well made film with, at its’ heart a really enthralling, well thought-out storyline. Great performances all round, particularly from; James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw, Rose Byrne as CIA agent Moira MacTaggert, Jennifer Lawrence as Raven / Mystique and Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy / Beast.

As we have come to expect from these films, the special effects are of the highest quality. Fortunately this does not distract from the excellent plot that gives so much more depth to the main characters. There is a fair amount of humour as well, look out for a very brief appearance from Wolverine (very funny). Over all, an exceedingly well made film that I hope becomes a big hit. It’s intelligent without ever talking down to the audience and I really enjoyed it. I would be happy to see it again and it’s still pencilled in to be added to by DVD collection… Recommended.

My Score 8.2/10

IMDb Score: 7.8/10 (based on 195,866 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/

MetaScore: 65/100: (Based on 38 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 87/100 (based on 239 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 88/100 ‘Liked It’ (based on 115,264 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/x_men_first_class/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Professor Charles Xavier: Ready for this?
Erik Lehnsherr: Let's find out!

[about the Class going into action]
Professor Charles Xavier: They're just kids...
Erik Lehnsherr: No, they WERE kids. Shaw has his army, we need ours.

1st German: Who... What are you?
Erik Lehnsherr: Let's just say I'm Frankenstein's monster. And I'm looking for my creator.

Sean Cassidy: You truly believe I'll fly this time?
Professor Charles Xavier: Unreservedly.
Sean Cassidy: I trust you.
Professor Charles Xavier: I'm touched.
Sean Cassidy: [pointing at Hank] I don't trust him.
Professor Charles Xavier: [to Hank] Say nothing.
Sean Cassidy: I'm gonna die!
Professor Charles Xavier: Alright. Look, we're not gonna make you do anything without...
Erik Lehnsherr: Here, let me help you.
[pushes Sean off the antenna]
Professor Charles Xavier: Erik!
Erik Lehnsherr: What? You know you were thinking the same.

Raven Darkholme: We have to call him, Havok. That's his name now. And we were thinking...
[points to Charles]
Raven Darkholme: ...you should be Professor X...
[points to Erik]
Raven Darkholme: ...and you should be Magneto.
Erik Lehnsherr: Exceptional.

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Trailer:

Film Review: THE CONSPIRATOR (2010)

Director: Robert Redford
Writers: James D. Solomon & Gregory Bernstein
Running time: 118 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Crime/Drama/History
UK Release date: 1^st July 2011

Watched on Sky+ Sunday 29^th April 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

It wasn’t until the closing credits that I realised who had directed this film and, funnily enough, I had been thinking it had some of the hallmarks of a Redford film all the way through. I like a good courtroom drama as much as the next man and this one had the added spice of being based on historical facts. I must say, for the most part, I enjoyed it, although there were one or two things that didn’t work quite so well (for me). More of that after this brief summary.

Towards the end of the American Civil War President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. Attempts were made on the lives of two other senior politicians which prompted a huge manhunt for the conspirators. Amongst those rounded up was Mary Surratt who owned a guesthouse at which Booth had stayed. Whilst there he had befriended her son, John, who had subsequently gone missing. All the conspirators were put on trial and it falls to a former Union soldier, Frederick Aiken, to defend Mary Surratt. What follows is a totally biased trial in which witnesses are bribed by the prosecution and the tribunal consists of Union Generals who are in the pocket of the War Minister, Edwin Stanton. So desperate is Aiken to give her a fair trial that he almost finds himself in contempt of court. I won’t tell you how it ends or the Spoiler Police will be trumping up charges against me (again).

Very well made with the look and feel you’d expect from a quality production. Everything from the costumes to the locations to the props was expertly done with great attention to detail. As far as performances go, well everyone was very good but nobody really stood out (for me). So honourable mentions go to; James McAvoy as Frederick Aiken, Robin Wright as Mary Surratt, Kevin Kline as Edwin Stanton, Evan Rachel Wood as Anna Surratt, Tom Wilkinson as Reverdy Johnson, Justin Long as Nicholas Baker, Danny Huston as Joseph Holt, James Badge Dale as William Hamilton and Colm Meaney as David Hunter.

The film has quite an exciting opening showing us the murder of President Lincoln and the aftermath. However, the middle part of the film does tend to fall a little flat. I think part of the problem is that we are never made to feel any sympathy for the accused, Mary Surratt. Yes, we can sympathise with her plight, but we are never given evidence of her innocence (or maybe it doesn’t exist). Things do pick up again towards the end and there is one particularly striking sequence that I can’t talk about without giving away spoilers (dammit!). Over all, not the most enthralling film I’ve seen on the subject, but worth a look.

My score: 7.1/10

IMDb Score: 6.9/10 (based on 11,614 votes at the time of going to press).
http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0435761/

MetaScore: 55/100: (Based on 37 critic reviews provided by Metacritic.com at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Tomatometer’ Score: 56/100 (based on 165 reviews counted at the time of going to press).

Rotten Tomatoes ‘Audience’ Score: 64/100 (based on 18,675 user ratings counted at the time of going to press).
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_conspirator/

If you’re crazy enough… You can find me on Facebook at:
http://facebook.com/andy.steel3

FAVOURITE QUOTES:
Edwin Stanton: Damn the rebels. Damn them to hell!

Frederick Aiken: It's John that you want, not Mary.
Edwin Stanton: I'll take either.

Frederick Aiken: You're my witness! Should I not expect you to tell me the truth?

Reverdy Johnson: Freddy, she's not your mother, if John Surrat won't turn himself in for her, then why should you?

LINKS:
(Note: All were working at the time of going to press)
Official Site: http://www.conspiratorthemovie.com/
Trailer:

Film Review: X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011)

Director: Matthew Vaughn
Running Time: 132 mins (approx)
Certification (UK): 12A

Genre: Action/Adventure/Drama
UK Release Date: 1st June 2011

Watched at the Cinema Wednesday 1st June 2011.

PLEASE NOTE: THERE MAY BE SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW.

It isn’t often I get to see a film on the first day of release, but due to a timely week off work I was able to make it to the first screening at my local cinema. There was no need to rush, the other eight people there were well spread out and I had an entire row (or six) to myself! I guess I should talk about the film… that’s why you’re reading this after all. Really enjoyable with quite a complicated plot but I found that despite a running time of over two hours it really flew by! Testament to the writers, actors, director and everyone else involved, it’s a big thumbs up from me.

We are told the story of how Charles Xavier founded his school for mutants in 1963. How he and his best friend, Erik Lehnsherr, later to be known as Magneto, had differing visions for the future for mutants. The stories of Hank McCoy (Beast) and Raven (Mystique), amongst others, are also told, particularly how Raven grew up with Charles but ultimately couldn’t see his vision. The narrative is set against the Cuban Missile Crisis, which, for the purposes of this story, is manipulated by one Sebastian Shaw, who has his own reasons for wanting to start a nuclear war. Shaw also has a very strong significance to Erik but I’m not going to tell you about that here (no spoilers here).

Great performances all round, particularly from; James McAvoy as Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender as Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto, Kevin Bacon as Sebastian Shaw, Rose Byrne as CIA agent Moira MacTaggert, Jennifer Lawrence as Raven / Mystique and Nicholas Hoult as Hank McCoy / Beast.

As we have come to expect from these films, the special effects are of the highest quality. Fortunately this does not distract from the excellent plot that gives so much more depth to the main characters. There is a fair amount of humour as well, look out for a very brief appearance from Wolverine (very funny). Over all, an exceedingly well made film that I hope becomes a big hit. It’s intelligent without ever talking down to the audience and I really enjoyed it. I would be happy to see it again and it’s already pencilled in to be added to by DVD collection… Recommended.

My Score 8.5/10

LINKS:
(RT = Rotten Tomatoes)
IMDb Page: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt1270798/
RT Page: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/x_men_first_class/
Official Site: http://www.x-menfirstclassmovie.com/
Trailer: