Comic Book Remake: X-Men First Class (2011)

For all you comic-book remake aficionados, this is a must see! A prequel to the X-men series, this film pieces together why this band of super-powered mutants are as much society’s crutch as something they fear and want rid off. It reminds you of boyish fancies of wanting to be a super hero packed with action and adventure.

It’s an adrenaline shot that leaves you pumping to rent the now dated sequels, X-men, X-men 2, X-men: The Last Stand and the last release which suggested a digestible market for this film, X-men Origins: Wolverine,

Rotten Tomatoes rating: 7.4/10
Comic Book Remake: X-Men First Class
Starring: James McAvoy, Kevin Bacon, Michael Fassbender and January Jones
Director: Matthew Vaughn

Synopsis:

Set against the backdrop of the Cold War it establishes the age old feud between Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) first known as Xavier and Erik. As young men just finding their powers, a friendship is forged by a common enemy,  evil Dr Schmidt and his evil mutant cohorts. They join forces, Erik to avenge his mother’s death and Xavier to prevent nuclear catastrophe, think Cuban Missile Crisis meets USA deposits on Turkey. Sourcing new recruits the story breeds themes of accepting difference, finding strength, albeit superpowers, and beauty in it.  Becoming a story of mutant civil rights, lines are drawn when they must decide whether to assimilate themselves in a society that will never accept them or refusing to hide who they are and still find time to save the day.

Reviewed by Janice Matthews for SA Men