Reticent
I did not enjoy the long list of variants on a theme that Brian Singer and company over at Fox presented as sequels to the original "X-men" film. However, in taking on the role of producer of this film, he has brought a sense of continuity that made sense. The origin "X-men" film began with the concentration camp scene, almost precisely duplicated down to the most miniscule in this outing. However, the scene extends into the motivation for the Erik/Magneto character to pursue Shaw, and one of the film's driving forces. The opening is not only stunning in its presentation but gives us a reason to hate Shaw and cheer on Magneto, something I thought I would never do (as in the comics, he is a villain!)
This first scene then gives rise to two very dramatic scenes that follow near at the start of the film, sold by the character actors that occupied the scene with Fassbender (whose mastery of accents reminded me of a young Meryl Streep and her ability to morph from one convincing accent to another). The scene in the bank where Erik extracts a metal filling from the mouth of the banker is completely sold on the actor's performance and the driving/building score of Henry Jackman's music. The banker's facials and grimaces make us squirm in our seats. We can only imagine how painful such an extraction must be, sold by the character actorJames Faulkner. Kudos my friend.
In the next scene of import with Fassbender, we see him enter a bar in Argentina (notorious refuge of Nazis after WWII). Fassbender easily switches from Spanish to German to English in a scene that one can describe as delicious in its revenge, savored over "the best" beer. Here, Ludger Pistor (as the pig farmer) and Wilfried Hochholdinger (as the tailor) come across as the kind of men who have no remorse over their war crimes. Erik dispatches them with amazing precision to the same driving/pounding score of Henry Jackman. The scene is a tour de force marriage between concise writing, great camera work, good editing, a wonderful yet simple score, and the performances of three very good actors - another incredible collaborative effort.
These scenes lend their credibility to a film that builds toward a grand climax in a re-write of the Cuban Missile Crisis, complete with original footage of JFK interspliced with the X-men in action. Director Matthew Vaughan brought new life to a series that had completely played out, killing off most of the good characters instead of developing them. Vaughan, having just completed a super-hero movie and having worked on a big budget fantasy drama previously (Stardust) decided to bring drama to the work, which helps to sell the idea of people defying logic by doing the absurd. In addition to the revenge for justice aspect of a Holocust survivor, Vaughan brings out the story between Xavier and Erik in a way that explains how the two interact in the first two films (they often call each other "friend" in a way that is almost sarcastic). This relationship adds dramatic tension that spills over into the climax where the allies go their separate ways and why they never directly attack each other.
Jackman wrote a sweeping score for the film that Vaughan shot down on the first day. Jackman had developed themes for all the characters in a John Williams kind of way. However, director Vaughan objected and said, "I don't want that. I just want something simple that will build quickly in a scene to support the dramatic action I have in mind." Going with his advice, Jackman cut out nearly 80% of his music and returned to a simpler theme that is reminiscent of John Barry's scores for "Goldfinger" and "Thunderball" where a solo guitar starts the theme which is picked up cellos and then violins, repeating the same refrain in ever increasing crescendos. This also helps to establish the 1960's feel to the film.
I was surprised when I first saw the film on blu-ray DVD. I have since watched it three or four times and find some excellent stuff here that bears another look. Good work from McAvoy and Fassbender in the two major roles. However, excellent work from a solid supporting cast. "No matter who you cast in the lead, the supporting players can make or break any movie." William Wyler
Now available on blu-ray, "X-men, first class" comes highly recommended.
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