When I was a tot, I loved comic books. Frankly, as an adult I still occasionally indulge, although it seems more classy to call them graphic novels. Comic book movies, on the other hand, are not always such winners. Now don’t get me wrong, I will watch them and sometimes even get geeked out about them. Nonetheless, it is true that they often just fall flat, are cheesy, have terrible CGI, and terrible acting. I would venture to guess the reason comic book films are often terrible is that the studios know they will generate money. People will watch them. Period. So, who cares if it is a pile?
The X-Men series has had its share of hits and misses. The latest installment works. The movie is entertaining. The story is compelling. The characters develop and grow. The CGI, for the most part, works. It is not earth shattering or mind bending, but it works.
Magneto and Xavier’s relational development was the key to the success of the movie. I got into the tale, it really drew me in. James McAvoy as Xavier and Michael Fassbender as Magneto did a great job. They really added depth to the characters and sold the various relationships they engaged in. They helped to drive the story. Sure, you know where things are heading, but seeing the development between the two was worth the trip.
The development of the various mutants’ powers was also pretty sweet. The scenes were fun and engaging. I thought they were well developed and pretty cool visually.
The integration of historical fact with the comic book story line was well done, if at times a little farcical.
The CGI was well done. But, the integration of modern actors with the archival footage did not work. The footage looked really grainy. The shots of downtown Vegas and Red Squarewere terribly integrated. Couldn’t someone restore the footage? The concept was cool, but the execution was bad. Similarly, the use of miniatures did not always work, the scenes harkened a high end Godzilla movie. The background maps in the various war rooms were particularly funny. They looked exactly like a Risk board. I could not take those scenes seriously. Similarly, when Xavier is able to access Shaw’s plans, the scenes were just cheesy.
Kevin Bacon as Shaw was a flop. Not so bad he ruined the film, but just mediocre enough that it was a drag. It is unclear if it was all Bacon or the character, but it just did not work. Some of his lines in the film were plain hokey. It was as if he was drifting around waiting to give one liners. Plus, I am not sure what made him want to create a super race of mutants. Seriously, what was his motivation? He was a Nazi, but that does not seem to drive him. He is cruel and vindictive, but we never know why. Magneto has motivation; Shaw has none that I could discern.
At times, I also felt the movie contrived interactions. Raven/Mystique is spurned by Xavier in her true form and this eventually leads her to joins up with Magneto. But, why would Xavier reject her true appearance? He accepts her when they first interact. He dedicates his life to helping mutants enhance themselves. He tells Beast not to hide his big feet so he can maximize his powers. The whole thing was completely out of character. Beast’s rejection would have been sufficient to motivate Mystique. Xavier hitting on other women could have done the same. But, Xavier thinking she is unattractive in her natural form is way out there and makes no sense.
Speaking of things that really did not seem to fit, the mutant human relationship was never developed. We only really see one interaction where humans mock mutants. I mean, yes, it is obvious they are different. But, this is the crux of Magneto’s movement. I just never saw it. Frankly, there was more mutant on mutant hating — Beast, for example, is constantly mocked for either not being mutant enough or for having big feet.
At the end of the day the film is entertaining, the characters are compelling, and the movie works. I will not rush out to see it again, but I had a good time.
PARSI VERDICT: Not worth mutation, but certainly worth a gander.
See what the other half thinks: Haus’s Review.
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