Directed by Bryan Singer
Written by Simon Kinberg
Story by Simon Kinberg, Jane Goldman and Matthew Vaughn
Starring: Hugh Jackman, James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Halle Berry, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Evan Peters, Anna Paquin, with Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen and Peter Dinklage
Rated PG-13 for sequences of intense sci-fi violence and action, some suggestive material, nudity and language
WARNING!!! SPOILER ALERT!!! The following contains major plot points from X-Men: Days of Future Past. If you have not seen the film, go and see it, then come back and read. Otherwise, happy reading.
In the seventh installment of the beloved X-Men film franchise, director Bryan Singer and writer Simon Kinberg attempt to establish a firmer continuity and undo many of the faults featured in the previous X-Men films. It provides exciting visuals, intriguing storytelling and some of the best acting ever featured in a Superhero film.
Ahh, where to begin... I loved this movie. It has been a very long time since a comic book film has come along and completely lived up to all of the hype, and all of fans' expectations. The first thing I would like to talk about is the story.
The Days of Future Past storyline in the comics is one of the most complex comic book storylines every written. Simon Kinberg seamlessly delivers a script that both appeases the comic book dorks and simplifies things for everyone else. The characters are brilliantly written. I feel I must briefly highlight a few.
Firstly (and most obviously) is the rage-filled, clawed outlaw Wolverine. Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables, Prisoners) provides a new take on Logan. In the past it seems that every time we see this character, he is little more than a rage-filled outcast who tramples all over everyone, then retreats into his solitude.
This time around we get a gentler Logan. Someone who cares deeply about the people around him, and most importantly, someone who doesn't eat up the majority of the screentime. In almost every X-Men film Wolverine has been an over-abundance. It seems that they finally struck the balance between Wolverine and the rest of the X-Men in this film. He acts as much more of a mentor for the younger Professor X, which is a bit of a role-reversal, and was very enticing to witness.
Lawrence has never been better. Like I said before, this movie has the best acting ever captured in a super hero film. For the first time since her trademark role in The Hunger Games, I didn't feel like I was watching Katniss Everdeen. She really took ownership of this role, and completely transformed herself to get into the mind of Mystique.
Finally, the last two characters I would like to examine are Magneto and Professor X.
I did not see a single error in their acting. This is the best performance I have ever seen from McAvoy, and my all time favorite scene in the entire movie is the inevitable confrontation between the two characters on the plane. The emotion and intensity that these two actors brought to these characters blew me away.
These actors and characters were not the only highlights of the film, but there is just not enough time to delve into each and every character. Here are some other highlights;
The Sentinels
Initially, I was concerned about the outcome of the mutant hunting robots known as the Sentinels. I am happy to say that the final product was extraordinary. The Sentinels made for some of the most haunting aspects of the film and provided some of the coolest fight sequences in the entire X-Men series.
Quicksilver
When we saw the first images of Quicksilver in his costume fans were absolutely outraged. "He looks like someone who got lost at Coachella!" But Evan Peters' portrayal as Peter Maximoff was a scene stealer. Some would argue that his time on camera was the best part of the movie. He was cleverly written, and implemented perfectly into the story, providing charm and wit into a plot full of despair. I can't wait for his return in X-Men: Apocalypse. Aaron Taylor-Johnson, you have got some big (and fast) shoes to fill in Avengers: Age of Ultron.
Bolivar Trask
It is no secret that I might be one of the biggest Game of Thrones fans to ever walk the Earth, but I promise you, I hold no bias. Peter Dinklage was at his 'A' game in this film as he played the brilliant creator of the Sentinels, Bolivar Trask. Trask is such an interesting villain, made better by Dinklage's performance. With a twisted mind and a noble agenda, Bolivar Trask belongs in the Hall of Fame for supervillains.
A Restoring Ending
Many of us saw it coming, but nevertheless, when Logan awakes in the school after completing his mission, saving mutantkind and he lays eyes on the resurrected Jean Grey, all of our hearts were lifted. We feel an immense amount of joy as he reaches out to her only to get his hand swatted away by her hovering boyfriend, Scott "Cyclops," also resurrected. Nothing pissed fans off more than when Brett Ratner decided it was best to kill off our favorite characters in X-Men: The Last Stand, and it was heartwarming to see Bryan Singer bring our favorite team of mutants back together.
Apocalypse
The brief post-credits sequence reveals a first look at the highly anticipated villain who will be challenging the X-Men in the next film, X-Men: Apocalypse which is expected to hit theaters in May of 2016. In Apocalypse we will see James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult and Evan Peters return to reprise their roles, with newcomer Channing Tatum to portray Gambit. It is also rumored that Hugh Jackman will return to reprise his role as Logan/Wolverine for an eighth time.
I loved every second of this movie, and I can say with complete confidence that this is my favorite Superhero film of the year, and my favorite X-Men movie. If I have any complaints it is that I wish we could have experienced more time with the future setting. This film is primarily focused on the past, and I was really looking forward to seeing some of the original castmembers shine once more (Halle Berry has like two lines in the entire movie... WTF??) however, the positives of this movie far outweigh the negatives. I give this film a shining 9/10.
If you have anything to add, or disagree with me on any of my points, please feel free to comment below. The beauty of film, and all kinds of art, is that it inspires intriguing conversations.
I loved this film and I would have to say that your critique of it was spot on. I agree with you on all points and I can't wait to have you take me to see it one more time. Well done my padawan.
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