X-men: First Class [2011]

X-men; the mutant super heroes, revered and feared in equal measure, fighting a never ending battle with prejudice and ultimately, themselves. First Class takes us back, following on in the ever present need for a franchise prequel. A young Charles Xavier befriends an equally youthful Erik Lensherr embarking on a quest to locate and educate the undiscovered mutants of Earth. In addition, they collectively launch a curiously, highly developed and steadfast defence of the potentially warring US and Soviets, whom have been ignited into action via the
actions of Kevin Bacon (Sebastian Shaw), so often the appropriate face of the designated 'bad-guy'. With the many superhero movies on the 'big' and 'small/large' screens, it is very easy to get swamped with details, knit picking at characters, the way they look, their age (so often a wonder given that they are played by actors, older during the prequel than the original movies; Hugh Jackman for example), the director's interpretation of events and costume...the list goes on. And in exploring these facets one could inevitably whip comic-book fan-boys (and girls) into a frenzy of critique-critique. Nobody knows a comic book character and overall narrative better than they. There is an answer and opinion for everything, based on years of research, knowledge and passion; and quite right. With that in mind, I will on this occasion, refrain from any plot analysis, referring entirely to the parts I 'liked'.

Though not entirely entertained by this X-men outing, there was plenty for me to enjoy; the twenty-something emphatic film-watcher that finds enjoyment in almost (I say almost, knowing there will likely be exceptions) every movie he watches. With X-men: First Class there were a few stand out moments.

1/ Hugh Jackman - plays almost no part whatsoever in a pre-Wolverine X-men, but included perhaps to keep everyone happy and provide pub quizzes across the UK with a decent film/entertainment question for years to come. It is hard to believe, but has Hugh featured in every single X-men movie released since the modern day re-imaginings in the year 2000?! Taking up the role that has made him a Hollywood superstar and forced him into being in the best physical shape of his life, here he contributes a big fat: "Go fuck yourself." I mentioned in previous Marvel commentary that there appears this all-to-apparent shininess which ironically takes the glint away from these movies for a viewer such as myself. This brash, almost real piece of potty mouth script goes a long way towards dirtying the surface and thus (in my opinion) making this moving picture more appealing.

2/ Michael Fassbender - has had an interesting career to date and is someone I frequently enjoy watching on screen. There is something about the look he can give down the lens of a camera that is captivating and confusing at the same time; yet almost always appropriate for the character portrayed. Here he deftly contorts his chiselled features just enough to cut a mentally scarred and painfully angry boy in a powerful mutant-man's body. Most impressive still (as highlighted in Tarantino's: Inglorious Basterds) we see his ability to turn a phrase in another tongue. His German appears impeccable (though with a surname such as his, you would be forgiven to expect it), French-believable, English more than convincing; and when 'super-angry' (see the last 10 minutes) out comes his Irish accent, almost as though a freshly poured, ice cool Guinness has spilt and the battleships of men are solely to blame.

3/ Raven/Mystique - if Raven was masculine, a Greek statue of a being, parading around in a skin hugging, blue, textured body-suit, would he be as easy on the eye to the female onlookers as Rebecca Romijn and Jennifer Lawrence have proven for men? There continues to be little left to the imagination with this lapis lazuli, scaly skinned young woman, two nipples and a pubis short of total nudity. Strangely alluring, she works to hold attention and provide that little hint of sex expected in any big-budget blockbuster (perhaps more subtly dealt with than soft core efforts by the likes of Transformers).  

 Generally this film was fun and passed the time swiftly. It must be said that I think my better half (the one who usually likes films less than I) enjoyed the spectacle more, partly as it was a 'snoozy' Saturday night curled up on the sofa together, partly a continuing discovery of new interests with heightened appreciation for such delights as comic book narrative and heritage (she has just finished a book named 'The Amazing Adventures Of Cavalier And Clay', apparently on the very topic). For me, the special effects were somewhat below par, occasionally a minor distraction, while moments when acting styles and attempts to convey a particular sense visually caused a deep breathed, inner sigh of exasperation (see James two-fingers-to-the-temple McAvoy or the I'm-probably-going-to-wink-right-down-the-lens-of-the-camera, frat-boy swagger of some of the younger mutants).

It takes something truly awful for me to come away feeling perturbed and X-men: First Class managed to avoid frustrating me where X-men: Last Stand succeeded. Still, nothing in the franchise has matched the promise of the 2000 X-men offering (in my humble opinion, of course), but some good performances, plenty of laughs and loads of engaging action sequences to keep one interested. And Mystique of course.


3/5

Avengers Assemble [2012]

In light of the new Captain America movie, the second instalment of Marvel's ensemble and a Batman Vs Superman flick all arriving at our big screens in the coming months (or year), I thought it high time I got round to ticking off the first of the Avengers pictures from my proverbial list.

The superhero franchises have very much become the back bone of the western world's summer blockbuster box office battles (love a good alliteration). But with so many of them being re-made, re-booted, 'sequalled' and now merged, it has become increasingly more difficult to keep up with affairs and know which ones are worth spending my hard earned pocket money on. As a non-comic book fan growing up, I was still keenly aware of the heroes and heroines we all wished we could emulate and have never failed to feel the tingling adolescent excitement when one goes into overdrive and saves the world (or New York city as is often the case one way or another). I still remember the excitement when Tim Burton's Batman re-imagining swooped awkwardly about to defeat Jack Nicholson and Danny Devito. I remember too the awe filled hours watching Christopher Reeve remove his thick-rimmed spectacles and plank in suspended animation in front of early special effects green-screens (even reversing the direction of the Earth to turn back time!). Then, of course came the addition of digital special effects, bringing a whole new look and realm of visual possibility.

Without going through my own history of superhero films in any detail, there have been some hits and many more misses, leading to a state of utter indifference as to the build up, hype and anticipation of any new release. I did not enjoy Elektra. Nor did I enjoy Daredevil. I have a vague recollection of Billy Zane in purple spandex too, equally un-enjoyable. But I like to remain positive where possible. The development and introduction of the Marvel super-people has been handled quite well. Though some of the individual outings of the Avengers ensemble have been just above average, none have killed the interest, contributing to an intriguing coming together and a financial winner for those backing it.

Enough of the introductory blurb and onto the film itself. I did not enjoy the beginning. It was a necessary opening, laying the foundation for the story to unfold in a logical and cohesive manner. My problem with it was that it was too quickly hiding behind special effects and not nearly dark and sinister enough to enhance the intrigue and impact of the wrong-doings of the nemesis. Several agents of S.H.I.E.L.D were killed in an opening sequence that saw Loki (adopted brother of Thor) pass through a portal in order to steal a sparkly, electric blue cube; all of which happened quickly and sharply in a prologue to his master plan of ruling the Earth. Little seemed to be made of these multiple deaths. They happened in a flash; in a puff of smoke and crack of lightning and precious little more is made of it (aside from a mention in later dialogue).

For me, this whole event could have benefited from being darker. And perhaps this could be said of events throughout the movie; though my preference for a Christopher Nolan trilogy may have a great deal of influence on my point of view. It may be fair to say that this film achieving a 12 certificate (allowing it greater market appeal and further box office potential) affects the level of attention paid to its 'fantasy violence'. What I personally crave in a 'good Vs evil' movie, are polar opposites; a jarring violence and disregard for others versus absolute morality and the quest to oppose all that is wrong (something touched upon during The Dark Knight series). This is what I toil with each and every time I come to view such a movie.

In fairness, not all comic book inspired movies want to go down the darker path and I am by no means claiming it to be the wrong choice. Marvel in particular, seem to have opted for the special-effects-heavy route; sharp, clean, hyper-real settings upon which larger than life enemies clumsily stomp like an age-impaired, small version of a human being traversing from point A to point B through a pile of crispy brown fallen leaves on a park pathway. Shiny (but later scratched up) heroes who lead with charisma and finish with party pieces, saving the day, saving the people; but never without leaving muddy footprints embedded in the white carpet post thwarting of bad-guy wrong-doing.

Tom Hiddleston's Loki is a bit hit and miss for me. On the one hand he has a caramel covered voice perfectly juxtaposed with his mischievous plans, paired with the ideal psychotic glare-under-the-brow needed for any convincing foe. He is a typical Hollywood choice for such a role, geographically evil much in the same way as Jeremy Irons, Anthony Hopkins and Alan Rickman. On the other hand, the character himself doesn't carry the same sort of threat as other villains, despite his Godly status, big magic wand and horned head-piece like some kind of Western world, 'techy' tribal leader. A bad-guy from London's silicon roundabout playing dress-up. Loki comes across somewhat feeble in the circumstances. Unable to physically impose himself upon any of the Avengers. Captain America is not phased by him and he is, as we know from a previous film, absolutely no match for Thor. The reliance is heavily upon his crafty manipulation of egos and their reluctance to trust.

I like Tom Hiddleston and along with Robert Downey Jnr (Iron Man) they weld everything together. The character relationships do feel secondary to the impressive special effects, but Loki's threat loaded monologues and the macho banter between Iron Man and Thor are more than entertaining enough to fill the gaps in action sequences. Captain (as he is frequently referred) is a bit dreary, infrequently allowing his facial expression to veer far from 'cool but confused' with lips slightly parted (pilfered from Scarlett Johansson). Hawkeye and Black Widow feel largely on the periphery despite a fair collection of screen minutes for each, while Dr. Banner in his attempts to subdue his angry green monster, does far too well and is a bit too 'boy in the corner of the playground' amongst bigger personalities. It becomes clear he has good reason when it is evident he cannot control his bigger self; though inexplicably finds the ability to do so during the anticipated assemblage. Most confusing was that Spiderman had decided to take the day off from protecting the massive apple. Surely it did not escape his notice that a portal to another world was open above Tony Stark's phallic dwelling? Or perhaps he received a text on a subtly placed product stating that: "The Avengers have got this one bro".

It isn't a film a would hurry to watch again. No Batman. Plenty of entertainment, satisfying heroics and what can only be described as an all round romp. I can see why it has been popular.

4/5