Fox’s X-Men once again took the world by storm this past weekend, with big box office numbers and glowing reviews. The ‘inbetweequal’ as it is called, X-Men: Days of Future Past, is once again directed by franchise starter Bryan Singer, who utilizes both generations of X-Men casts. With Hugh Jackman returning as Wolverine for the seventh time, other stars Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Halle Berry, Peter Dinklage, and Jennifer Lawrence round out the principal cast. Does the film stand up against all the hype? Hit the jump to find out!
In short, X-Men: Days of Future Past is wonderful. Simply wonderful.
The movie sits at a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and it deserves it. Bryan Singer proves, even more so than in X2, that he knows how to direct an X-Men film. Unlike both X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men: Origins- Wolverine, both of which received a poor reception, Singer makes this movie a character piece. While the plot – Wolverine being sent back in time to avert an apocalyptic war caused by the mutant hunting robots called Sentinels – is complex and demanding, it only serves the characters, rather than the other way around.
Singer’s use of special effects isn’t overwhelming, further creating a sense of realism in the movie, and when effects are used, they are used with finesse. Mutants use dazzling powers throughout this entire 2 hour movie, and they do so beautifully. Fan Bingbing’s Blink’s use of creating portals is stunning, and Evan Peters’ few scenes as Quicksilver and the demonstration of his powers are without a doubt one of the highlights of the film. Singer knew what he was doing when he directed this film, and it shows. Not to mention he brings a certain level of nostalgia to the movie, what with bringing back the main theme from X2, as well as the goofy but enjoyable opening credit Cerebro sequence. It’ll make any fan happy.
The X-Men films all have had an all-star cast, but in this movie, it is almost overwhelming. In a good way. While not everyone’s favorite mutants have lead roles – most of the future Mutants including Storm, Iceman, etc. aren’t in a good chunk of the movie – they at least all have their moments, and everyone is completely spot on.
James McAvoy’s Xavier was the stand out, to me. He was absolutely brilliant, and Xavier’s broken, drug addicted story arc was a refreshing, thrilling place to take the character. Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique is pivotal in this movie, and she doesn’t disappoint. Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, and Hugh Jackman all bring excellent performances, with all three very comfortable – and rightly so – in their roles. Peter Dinklage as mad scientist Bolivar Trask is subtly great, and Michael Fassbender returns as a young Magneto in what is probably his most intimidating character arc yet. Ellen Page’s Kitty Pride, I feel, is not getting enough praise for her role in the film. While she’s not in it much, she brought such a seriousness to her role, and to the war these X-Men are fighting, that I felt set the tone for the entire movie. And as I mentioned before, Evan Peters’ take as Quicksilver was drop dead comedic, and a surprising highlight. I look forward to seeing him more in X-Men: Apocalypse. Also, while I won’t reveal any spoilers, there are certain cameos throughout this movie that are both game-changing and epic.
To sum up, go see this movie. I’ve seen it three times, and am planning on going again. It’s smart, funny, incredibly epic, full of nostalgia, and leaves you with such a great ending that almost makes certain mishaps taken by past X-Men movies acceptable. Bryan Singer returns to this universe in high form, and I for one am very excited for X-Men: Apocalypse.
Also, I doubt I have to say this but I will nevertheless- don’t leave during the end credits.
I give X-Men: Days of Future Past five out of five metal bikinis.
Reviewed By: Ryan for Roqoo Depot.
