X-Men: First Class (2011)

After the slight misfire that was 'The Last Stand', the X-men franchise needed something new and different.

Enter 'First Class'.

It is rather tricky to name the beast. Is it a sequel? Reboot? Prequel?

Is it, in point of fact, all of those things?

The answer to that is yes.

Not that we got tired of our favourite mutant characters, but after several outings, it was indeed time for a refreshing new look. So this time around, it is more or less how the X-Men got together and started off on their quest for world peace and co-existence. Also the start of the friendship/rivalry between professor Xavier and Magneto, but that will come in a short while.

Except for a small yet hilarious cameo by Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, these are all new actors portraying the younger versions of the classics. Right off the bat, they made some inspired choices. James McAvoy is great as a rather cocky Xavier and you can truly see the echoes of Patrick Stewart in his portrayal. That same sense of British suave is there and in all fairness: Xavier would always be portrayed in this way and rightfully so. Definite prize winner here is Michael Fassbender as a young Magneto. Sure, Fassbender could be reading the most boring cookbook out loud and still be engaging, but as Magneto he runs the gamut of being a deep character with flaws and constantly be engaging and interesting to explore. It truly is a great feat, trust me. If any reason to see this one, Fassbender is it. As usual in any film he's in.

Kevin Bacon as the main villain Sebastian Shaw is also a great choice, because he's Kevin Bacon and therefore always the coolest kid on the block.

Yes, even in 'Footloose'. Fight me.

The only gripe I might have with this one is Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. I never had a thing for miss Lawrence and to me, she lacks the cool and conviction that Rebecca Romijn had in the role. I don't know exactly what it is, but there always seems to be something off about Lawrence as the character.

Maybe I am clutching at the 'nagging' straw here, but still. It is but a minor gripe.

There's not a lot of continuity with the already existing X-Men films so far, so liberties are taken somewhat, but it never truly matters. What matters is that this storyline, that takes place mainly during the Sixties, cleverly incorporates the Cuban missile crisis and ends in a daring finale that sets the tone and plot threads for the coming films.

I could go on for a much longer time, but suffice to say this one is a hoot to watch. It is fun, points the franchise in a bolder and fresher direction and more or less resets the timeline with a new perspective.

And Michael Fassbender. If he didn't exist already, they should have invented him. The man is brilliant.