Holy cow. X-Men: First Class is actually good!
Some background: I never got into superhero comics. Everything I know about the X-Men I’ve
learned from going to the movies.
Consequently, my last exposure to the X-Men universe was through the
odious Wolverine. When I went in to this one, my
expectations were low.
Here’s the setup: it’s the Kennedy Administration. A dude with groovy brain powers
recruits a coldblooded revenge killer to join Team Good. As one may imagine, things do not work
out as groovy brain guy might have preferred.
The film hangs a pretty good story on that frame, helped
along by fun period work, seamless effects, well-directed action set pieces,
and the revelation that the amazing young actress from Winter’s Bone looks great naked.
The consensus among my filmgoing friends is that X-Men: First Class is average, at
best. I don’t get it. I had more fun at this film than any
other superhero film released this year.
