Very simply put, this was a fun, fun movie, which did a great job in setting up the beginning of the X-Men, who Charles Xavier was, how Eric Lansherr becomes Magneto, what’s the deal with their friendship (and antagonism), as well as including some of the original characters, such as Mystique and Hank McCoy/Beast. Now, perhaps some diehard fans may have some issues with how they started, especially Mystique (though, there are tons of points to her beginnings), but, unlike a lot of prequels, this one truly ties things together in a way that makes sense, which is rather difficult, considering how many comics and cartoon episodes their have been. You won’t be disappointed.
The focus on the development of Charles, Magneto, Beast, and Mystique were wonderful. The attention to detail in a time set in the early 60’s was excellent, though some women may have an issue with the treatment of women as sex objects, like in Mad Men. A Hugh Jackman cameo was hilarious. The storyline was well done. Kevin Bacon as the Bad Guy was a nice point. He wasn’t overboard, just a guy trying to literally change the whole world with a nuclear war.
Some of the secondary characters, such as Emma Frost, were a little underdone, mostly as extras (and for cleavage). Can’t have everything. Though, we did get to meet Alex Summers, ie, Havoc, the father of Scott Summers, known as Cyclops.
Overall, where else is the X-Men franchise going to go? The Final Stand killed off Professor X, Jean Gray, Cyclops, turned Mystique into a non-mutant, saw Rogue, one of the other most interesting characters take The Cure (and, she was so young to start with, that they were never able to develop the character.) Kitty Pride? Works well in the comics, maybe not so well on the big screen. Same with Gambit. They’ve done Wolverine’s origins, who else is there? What else is there? They can probably get another movie prequel, maybe two, out of it. Storm? I can’t see a full movie. Nor Jean Grey. So, this is mostly it.
Giving it an A. Well worth the monetary expenditure for a nighttime showing.
