The best comic book movie ever?????
Intro:
I promise to only give minimal plot information here. So read on with little worry. Also, I would advise to NOT watch a ton of clips on the net, they give a lot away. “X-Men Days of Future Past,” (DOFP), is a both a sequel to, “X-Men: The First Class,” (FC), and a blending of the previous X-men movies, except more or less excluding the Wolverine side movies. It’s not required, but I highly recommend watching all of those if you have not already. All I am about to say happens in the first 10 minutes of the film.
Backstory:
DOFP introduces the modern world as we have not seen before. It’s a wasteland where mutants are running for their lives from unstoppable robotic hunters, the Sentinels. We’re then re-introduced to the older versions of Professor X, (Patrick Stewart), and Magneto, (Ian McKellan) as well as bunch of other familiar, and new faces. They are coming together as its their only option. In order to escape the fate that is the modern-day wasteland, they need to stop Mystique, (Jennifer Lawrence), from committing a crime in the past that set the world on the path to desolation. While their bodies cannot physically travel back in time, their current mental consciousness can travel back into their younger selves. The ramifications of sending ones mind all the way back would basically destroy someones brain, unless that brain can heal fast enough to not be obliterated.
Enter Wolverine, (Hugh Jackman). Wolverine’s mind is sent back into his 1973 self, which is 10 years after the events of FC. Wolverine is charged with reuniting younger Professor X (James McAvoy), and Magneto (Michael Fassbender), in order to stop Mystique. Along the way they cross paths with other mutants namely, Beast, (Nicholas Holt), and Quicksilver, (Evan Peters). While the movie shoots around to many story lines, including the creator of the Sentinels, Dr. Bolivar Trask, (Peter Dinklage), it is mostly Wolverine centric.
Review:
Since the viewer knows what Wolverine knows, it makes a ton of sense to have him as the main focus of the film. This movie thrives on the dramatic irony of both Wolverine’s fish out of water, as well as the fact that the viewers have watched the other films, (again strongly recommend watching the older ones first). It provides a lot a laughs and it provides adds a ton of layers to both character and story depth. There are tons of nods to the older films and the comic book franchise. This shows that the film-makers respect both the source material and the intellect of the viewer. Which is quite refreshing.
Director Bryan Singer doing his thing.
The timing of this film is excellent. Whether it be action or comedy, the beats all hit. There is never a point in the movie where the viewer would get hazy on what is happening. On the flip-side, no action in the movie is deliberately obvious. The viewer may try guess what is going to happen next, but again the film-makers show respect and calmly keep the viewer guessing. The balance of the film is remarkable, especially considering all the moving parts. There are a great number of important characters and two-time distinct periods. With all of that and more, if could have easily fell apart. Bryan Singer, (director), and his editing team did a bang up job keeping all of the elements relevant, and to keep a clear sight line on the plot.
Generally speaking in terms of all modern films, CGI is often overused. Naturally a film that is based on mutants with fantastic powers is going to demand a lot of CGI. Singer and his effect crew did an excellent job. In combination with the action and the cinematography, the CGI just feels right. In fact most of the time, it feels extra bad-ass. The was no point in the film where it felt gratuitous. It is a major credit to Singer, who uses it as not a crutch but, as it should be used, as an enhancement to the story and action on-screen. It takes a very skillful hand to accomplish that.
Young vs Old – in X-men characters and just overall good actors.
This may be the best ensemble cast a superhero film has ever amassed. McAvoy and Fassbender on-screen together embody the two titans of the Professor and Magneto. Jennifer Lawrence, who is generally overrated, (by the media, she is an excellent young actress), does a great job emoting the multiple complexities of Mystique’s character though all the blue paint. Hugh Jackman, has always handled the finer points of Wolverine excellently, and continues to do so. Naturally the characters in the future have smaller roles but are perfect for they’re purpose. A sort of surprise is Evan Peters as Quicksilver. While knowing he was talented, it was a bit of a shock to think his character stole the scenes he was in. Quicksilver will surely become a fan favorite moving forward. Also, Peter Dinklage does a great job creating a valid argument for his villainous character. Nicholas Holt, Beast, feels like a bit of a wet blanket when compared to the talent level of the other cast members.
Evan Peters role as Quicksilver, will definitely make him a fan favorite for years to come.
It is natural to compare DOFP to two films. First, the previous movie,”X-Men: The First Class,” (FC) which had a different director, ( Matthew Vaughn), than DOFP. FC felt like it was an X-men film mixed with a Sean Connery Bond film. It has a sex appeal and suaveness to it. Needless to say FC was an awesome movie. The second movie I feel it should be compared to is, “Watchmen.” That film, as well as DOFP, was set in a Nixon era presidency, (Though Watchmen was in a later year), where mutant/superheros are present in society and thus, create an alternate reality. Watchmen is a much bleaker, and gritty film, directed by Zach Snyder. Out of the three, DOFP certainly rises to the top, with its significantly higher level of overall polish.
Overall, this is the best X-Men film made to date. Which is really encouraging. Hey Spiderman Jerks! Take Heed! This is how you do it. While I still prefer Christopher Nolan’s Batman series for its high level of realism, this is the best direct comic book adaptation to date.
4.25 out of 5
Admittedly, I am a bit of an X-Men fan-boy, so take that for what its worth.
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