365 Days. 365 Films.

I was never a huge fan of X-Men; I never read the comics and I’ve not seen the whole trilogy, but from what I remember about the first film, I loved it. This 60′s set prequel shows the birth of some of the characters we know and love, and some we don’t, but the basis of this film is how the mutants came to be known as The X-Men.

James McAvoy is Professor X and Michael Fassbender is Magneto, both of whom are focal points of this film in how they became to be friends and then enemies. From my shallow knowledge of the saga, they play their parts well and without too much reference to their predecessors, they take on the roles whole-heartedly and without reference. The film gives a few nods to the trilogy as well as the original TV series which should keep Marvel fans amused, but for those who don’t know anything about the characters or plot, the action sequences should keep you on your feet too.

There is not as much action in the film as one would have liked, and some of the special effects and CGI seemed about five years old too, but the characterization of the X-Men, particularly those we know, brings more meaning to the first three X-Men films – which is the whole idea of a prequel. I love the idea behind The X-Men, but unfortunately cannot credit the director of this film for that, but what they can take credit for is the superbly handled action sequences. Vaughn, along with three other screenwriters, wrote this film, and they can certainly be credited for the direction of the plot, as well as that of the characters.

With a basic knowledge of the saga I did enjoy this film, apart from the odd, obvious mistakes about the characters, for example Erik (a.k.a. Magneto) is initially a German as a young boy in this film, whether this is incorrect or not I don’t know, but surely it should be incorrect that as soon as he starts speaking English, not only is he fluent, but he has an American accent. I know it’s not the most realistic film but this annoyed me slightly. Other than one or two other hiccups in the film it’s a fresh approach to X-Men and should keep anyone amused throughout whatever they know of the originals.