X-Men: First Class

Photo courtesy of laughing squid.com

I still remember the excitement and wonder brought about by the first X-men movie, where it seems characters (which I only get to watch as cartoons on TV) came to life.

The movie humanized the characters and their struggles, and has actually hit closer to home, as the struggles themselves and the events surrounding it, which were based loosely in real life, made it relatable and real.

Who did not, even at one point in their lives, experience some form of ostracism or discrimination, and vice-versa? Who did not fear the unknown at one point, which made us discriminate and shut others off, thinking they are freaks? Well, we still do. To that which we cannot explain, we still fear.

Photo courtesy of pajiba.com

Now, let’s talk about technology, movie magic. The visual effects can only be described as awesome. If this movie was made even just a few years back, it would’ve looked corny and would not have delivered as much as it did the year it was released. 

Considering there weren’t much fanfare generated to rake in sales (at least, from what I remembered... I might be wrong), I think the movie could have earned more.

Photo courtesy of the guardian.co.uk

It’s nice to see another franchise of the film however, X-men First Class, which is somewhat a prequel to the first movie. It was interesting how characters developed their powers and how the events of the time set the stage for what was about to be a long, arduous and costly struggle between humans and mutants. HOT mutants, I might add.

Mutants playing part in averting what could’ve been the Third World War by thwarting a nuclear face-off in Cuba, one of the most nerve-racking moments in history, sets the tone for the film. An interesting plot made only more so by the different characters set in the backdrop of a cool 60’s vibe makes for an entertaining and profound film.