X-Men: First Class

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Cast & Crew

James McAvoy
Charles Xavier

Michael Fassbender
Erik Lehnsherr

Rose Byrne
Moira MacTaggert

Jennifer Lawrence
Raven, Mystique

January Jones
Emma Frost

Nicholas Hoult
Hank, Beast

Oliver Platt
Man in Black Suit

Jason Flemyng
Azazel

Lucas Till
Alex Summers, Havok

Edi Gathegi
Armando Munoz, Darwin

Matthew Vaughn
Director

Ashley Edward Miller
Screenwriter

Zack Stentz
Screenwriter

Jane Goldman
Screenwriter

Matthew Vaughn
Screenwriter

Bryan Singer
Producer

Lauren Shuler Donner
Producer

Simon Kinberg
Producer

Gregory Goodman
Producer

Stan Lee
Executive Producer

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News & Interviews for X-Men: First Class

Critic Reviews for X-Men: First Class

Audience Reviews for X-Men: First Class

• Mar 09, 2017

  With Matthew Vaughn at the helm, X-Men: First Class is a classy, fun time that brings the best out of it's strong cast. The action scenes and dialogue pop with a ferocity, and breaths life into a incredibly engaging storyline.
  Matthew M Super Reviewer
• Mar 03, 2017

  There are a lot of great things about First Class, but I think the one that sticks out to me the most (even after years and tons of viewings) is that it works as both a reboot and prequel. Even though the continuity has since been mingled with even more, this film did such a great job of resetting the universe without tarnishing what came before. In large part, the strengths of the film lie with Matthew Vaughn's direction. Up to this point, I liked most of the X-Men films, but even the people who have loved the series would say that there wasn't much "fun" to be had. The original X-Men trilogy took itself very seriously and rightfully so. But there's something to be said for a mutant story that poses similar thought provoking questions and themes like before, while also making a fun adventure out of it. Vaughn does a wonderful job balancing the two. Setting an X-Men film in the 1960's meant having to recast all of the recurring characters. Luckily, casting was something 20th Century Fox had no problem with. I don't think we could have dreamed of a better pairing to take over the roles of Professor X and Magneto than James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. Perhaps, some would say that the two of them have outdone their counterparts, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan (I, myself being one of those people). Much like the film itself, McAvoy and Fassbender put their own spin on the characters, but bring enough similarity in their performance to understand the connective tissue between the pairs. Something the new trilogy of X-Men films does incredibly well is use the decade the films are set in to enhance the overall story they were going for. First Class is set in the 60's, and uses the Cuban Missile Crisis as the film's climatic sequence. But it uses it in a way that doesn't exploit that event, instead, gives a reason for there to be tension between Charles & Erik. This film and Days of Future Past nail the relationship between those two more so than any X-Men film to date. Going back to the fun stuff though, the rest of the mutants are made up of mostly throw away heroes and villains. No one was really asking for characters like Azazel, Riptide, Angel Salvadore, Havoc, Darwin, Banshee, or even more Mystique. But even as much as these characters could have felt like throwaway characters, Vaughn managed to build them into the story in a creative way. Everyone has their own arc and moment to shine. In fact, my favorite part of the film involves Charles & Erik recruiting, and subsequently training everyone. It's classic superhero stuff. Overall, First Class makes good with its new cast and setting. Matthew Vaughn transitioned what was originally planned as a Magneto origin story into a wonderfully balanced comic-book adaptation. One that nails the characters motivations and mindsets in a refreshing but respectful and realistic way. +Charles & Erik +Recruiting & Training +Score +Vaughn's directing +Setting adds to the story 9.4/10
  

  Thomas D Super Reviewer
• Oct 02, 2016

  whilst not stepping back up to the dizzy heights of x-men 1 or 2 or even reaching the somewhat solid level of the last stand, it is a must see for all x-fans! james mcavoy and michael fassbender make it worth your time. some mild comedy moments also make it worth the while.
  Sanity Assassin ! Super Reviewer
• May 17, 2016

  As a prequel, 'X-Men: First Class' is a well deserved and welcome return to form for the X-Men franchise. Matthew Vaughn's sleek and stylish direction helps give the franchise the boost, as did the well polished and compellingly written script. One thing that's always kept X-Men separate from other superhero film franchises was the well understandable and compelling character and plot motivations of the characters and factions. Even after two very lackluster entries prior to this film's release, it's standing ovation as a film as is it's incredibly gifted cast of ensemble characters are equally engaging as they are fascinating. On top of that it's this film's cast that almost gives the original X-Men film a run for it's money, as does all certain consistent qualities this franchise has kept up to this point, including it's elaborate sense of scale, production budget and visually impressive special effects. I don't have much else to comment on the fact this film restored my faith in the X-Men film series, and it's quality still live up to in this day and age.
  Luke E Super Reviewer

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