X-Men: First Class

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (2011) - June 3, 2011
An above-average summer blockbuster about the beginnings of the X-Men, focusing mostly on the relationship between Professor X and Magneto, and their disparate views on how mutants should interact with society at large.  Featuring a really good balance between the action and the character stuff, the film is requisitely exciting without ever feeling overstuffed.  James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender both give very strong performances, and the way their characters interact and ultimately choose their sides feels quite organic (Magneto's turn to the dark side feels a lot more natural than, say, Anakin's in the prequels).  It's also very well directed by Matthew Vaughn, who has a sure hand with both the action and the drama.  There are some great scenes here, with a scene where Fassbender confronts a couple of Nazis in Argentina being a clear highlight.  And indeed, Fassbender's intense, magnetic performance (no pun intended) is definitely a confirmation that the man has what it takes to carry a film.  ***1/2