X-Men: First Class (2011)

In 1962, the United States government enlists the help of Mutants with superhuman abilities to stop a malicious dictator who is determined to start world war III.

Director:

Matthew Vaughn

Writers:

Ashley Miller (screenplay), Zack Stentz (screenplay),

Stars:

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Kevin Bacon

5 wins & 17 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
James McAvoy	...	Charles Xavier (24 Years)
Laurence Belcher	...	Charles Xavier (12 Years)
Michael Fassbender	...	Erik Lensherr
Bill Milner	...	Young Erik
Kevin Bacon	...	Sebastian Shaw
Rose Byrne	...	Moira MacTaggert
Jennifer Lawrence	...	Raven / Mystique
Beth Goddard	...	Mrs. Xavier
Morgan Lily	...	Young Raven (10 yrs)
Oliver Platt	...	Man in Black Suit
Álex González	...	Janos Quested / Riptide
Jason Flemyng	...	Azazel
Zoë Kravitz	...	Angel Salvadore
January Jones	...	Emma Frost
Nicholas Hoult	...	Hank / Beast

Storyline

Before Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr took the names Professor X and Magneto, they were two young men discovering their powers for the first time. Before they were archenemies, they were closest of friends, working together, with other Mutants (some familiar, some new), to stop the greatest threat the world has ever known. In the process, a rift between them opened, which began the eternal war between Magneto's Brotherhood and Professor X's X-MEN.

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Plot Keywords:

mutant | professor | poland | nuclear war | x men | 

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Taglines:

The story begins

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action and violence, some sexual content including brief partial nudity and language

Details

Official Sites:

20th Century Fox [fr] 20th Century Fox [jp]

Country:

USA

Language:

English German French Spanish Russian

Release Date:

3 June 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

X-Men: Primera generación

Filming Locations:

Englefield House, Theale, Reading, Berkshire, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$160,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$55,101,604 (USA) (3 June 2011)

Gross:

$146,405,371 (USA) (23 September 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Marvel Entertainment, Dune Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

132 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Azazel is the modern Hebrew word for "hell", which corresponds with the character's devilish nature.

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Goofs

The bra styles that Emma Frost wears are not 1960s styles, they are modern styles worn today. Also, the boots that Angel wears are not 1960s style boots.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Charles Xavier: Mother. What are you... I thought you were a burglar.
Mrs. Xavier: I didn't mean to scare you, darling. I was just getting a snack. Go back to bed. What's the matter? Go on, back to bed.I, I'll make you a hot chocolate.
Charles Xavier: Who are you? And what have you done with my mother?
Charles Xavier: [telepathically in her mind] My mother has never set foot in this kitchen in her life. And she certainly never made me a hot chocolate, unless you count ordering the maid to do it.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

Part of the closing credits take place in a sequence of X-symbols, chromosomes and DNA strands (reminiscent of the opening credits to Dr. No).

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Connections

Referenced in Bum Reviews: X-Men: First Class (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Hippy Hippy Shake"
Written by Chan Romero (as Robert Lee Romero)
Performed by Chan Romero
Courtesy of Del-Fi/Rhino Entertainment Group
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing

User Reviews

Grand-Scale Storytelling Mixed With Superb Action

Fox can breath easy again because I think it's safe to say the even the extreme fanboys will be putting down their pitchforks and torches and smile after seeing this amazing film. I know for a fact that general audiences are going to love this movie. I know some fans can be irrational and hold on to their hate because they expect certain things they read in their books but I can't seeing anyone being that irrational when faced with a result that delivers what First Class manages to deliver. It honestly is a genre-defining movie on a level with any comic based film that has come before it. Everything in this movie is exceedingly better than what Fox delivered in their last two efforts with this franchise. Going back to the beginning and re-hiring the guy that brought us those films was a splendid idea. The acting here is superb and the dialogue is rich. Every character feels absolutely believable no matter what abilities they have on display. No cartoonish villains or cheese in sight, every side of the issue is presented by people who believe they are the ones who are in the right and the underlying message of tolerance and bigotry only add to the depth of this film. If not a genre-defining movie than maybe it redefines the comic book genre. It restores the sense of epic adventure and grand-scale storytelling that we saw in X2. In fact, it perfectly complements that great film and probably surpasses it.

This film is to X2 what Godfather 2 was to the Godfather. Seriously, First Class is an exceptional "flashback" look that links the best of the X-Men trilogy to the past. Instead of DeNiro playing young Vito Corleone we get James McAvoy as young Charles Xavier. Marlon Brando and Patrick Stewart made their respective characters popular but both were more fleshed out by incredible younger talent. I'm not placing the X-Men film itself on a par with the Godfather but both have become legendary in their particular genre. I am, however, saying McAvoy has a bright future as a complex and talented actor. Just like the young cast of Godfather 2 was legendary, the young cast of First Class has many great days and projects ahead of them.

Love this entire cast but Michael Fassbender delivers the best performance with an amazing presence and command of the screen. Everyone was extraordinary. What many expected indeed happens. By that I mean every scene that Fassbender and McAvoy are in together absolutely sing. It won't surprise anyone to know that Kevin Bacon, Oliver Platt and Jennifer Lawrence are superb in supporting roles but Nicholas Hoult did stunning work as the Beast and deserves some love as well. January Jones and Rose Byrne are hot as can be but aren't just simple eye candy. Sure, the story is compelling and the action is amazing but the performances elevate this movie far above a common summer flick.

Movie of the year so far...