REVIEW: X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST

 If you are a regular reader of my movie reviews or you know me personally, you would know that I am a fan of comic book superheroes, especially those adapted into film. For nearly two decades, Hollywood movie studios have released many comic book film adaptations almost every year. Some have criticized these productive efforts, saying Hollywood studios are lacking churning out original ideas and depending too much on stories that have already been told. It is true, adapting already known materials can restrict original ideas to the public but for the movie studios, this would generate ‘guaranteed’ income from those who are familiar with the adapted material. Over the years, many writers, directors, and producers have tried to conceive stories that would interest fans and non-fans of comic book heroes. The evolution of creating and writing these stories over the years has ranged from being silly and corny, to being more mature and relatable.

This evolution is evident in the film adaptations of Marvel’s X-Men, a group of comic book superheroes with advance genetics and mutant powers. There have been six X-Men themed films released; X-Men (2000), X2 (2003), X-Men: The Last Stand (2006), and X-Men: First Class (2011). There were also spin-off films X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) and The Wolverine (2013). This is the seventh X-Men themed film and comes to cinemas titled X-Men: Days of Future Past.

Bryan Singer returns to the director’s chair to helm X-Men: Days of Future Past (From here on, I will shorten the title to DOFP). Singer previously directed the first two X-Men adaptations and was producer on X-Men: First Class. He co-wrote all three films. For DOFP, screenplay duties went to Simon Kinberg who wrote X-Men: The Last Stand and X-Men First Class. His co-writers from X-Men First:Class, Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman, are credited as story writers on DOFP. This film reunites almost all of the cast from previous films and introducing some new actors. The ensemble cast is a combination of the first three X-Men films and X-Men First Class. Actors returning from the first three films are Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Halle Berry, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, and Anna Paquin. Actors returning from X-Men First Class are James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, and Lucas Till. DOFP introduces Peter Dinklage, Evan Peters, Omar Sy, Fan Bingbing, and many others. Now, that is a pretty large and expensive cast.

Can the film withstand such a powerful ensemble cast or will the story drown amongst all of them? Do read on…

Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) travels back to the 70s and encounters danger

SYNOPSIS:

In the not too distant future, mutants from both the good and bad sides, are hunted down by government-sanctioned robots called The Sentinels. These robots are fully equipped to destroy all mutants who are helpless when attacked by them. The two opposite factions of the mutants which are led by Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto (Ian McKellen) decide to join forces to fight these robots. It is learnt from both leaders that Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) was indirectly responsible in convincing the government to sanction The Sentinels to a military scientist named Boliver Trask (Peter Dinklage). Their solution is to time travel to the past and stop these robots from ever being created. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is the only capable mutant that can travel through time and with the help of Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page), he is transported to the 1970s. From here on, he has to convince a younger Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and a younger Magneto (Michael Fassbender) to assist him in hunting down Mystique and prevent the creation of The Sentinels. Will they succeed in the race against time on their mission or will they jump at the chance of altering a different course for mutant and human history?

L-R: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Magneto (Michael Fassbender),
Professor X (James McAvoy), Quiksilver (Evan Peters)

SCRIPT:

Solid and organized. Despite the film’s plot centered on the concept of time travel, the script did not bore us with many details about it (as most movies with time travel storylines always do). The plot and character motifs are outlined pretty well. We know what exactly the characters are looking for and where the story heading. The story doesn’t sidetrack to other subplots. The entire plot is focused on a singular theme which is to prevent The Sentinels from being created. The dialogue is understandable and it does not overload with technical jargon. The story pretty much goes back and forth between the past and the future. We see two separate scenarios simultaneously, what is happening in the past is affecting the future. Alternating back and forth can be tiring to follow but for this film, it wasn’t. Both scenarios, past and present, was blend seamlessly into the film. There were some humour in the film but I felt there should be more. Characterization is not focused too much as it is assumed that the audience would know who the mutants are. DOFP is a stand-alone and does not have any continuity from previous film. However, I like the fact that many scenes paid tribute to moments from the previous films. Genius writing!

Professor X enters Cerebro accompanied by Wolverine and Hank McCoy a.k.a. The Beast (Nicholas Hoult)

ACTING:                                                                                                                                 

This is a tough one to review. DOFP has such a huge ensemble cast. The film is led primarily by Hugh Jackman as the success of the story’s mission hinges on him. Jackman has more screen time than the rest and he did well in his role. Sharing some screen time with Jackman is James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender. Both actors brought some different dimensions to their roles as younger versions of Professor Charles Xavier and Erik ‘Magneto’ Lensherr respectively. When I say different dimensions, it means showcasing another side of these characters which we didn’t see in the previous films. Oscar winner Jennifer Lawrence was excellent in her role but I felt she should have been featured more in the film. Peter Dinklage was alright as the new villain. Big name actors like Halle Berry, Shawn Ashmore, Anna Paquin, and Ellen Page were reduced to small supporting parts. However, Ellen Page’s role as Kitty Pryde was important to the plot.

Jennifer Lawrence as Raven Darkholmme in the 1970s

Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique in the 1970s

FILMING:

Director Bryan Singer does not have a particular style to his direction. He has directed films with great stories like The Usual Suspects (2005) and visual effects driven films like Jack the Giant Slayer (2013). Sometimes, his visual effects decisions from previous films are questionable where some were overdone and does not serve the story properly. Well, that’s my opinion. For DOFP, the visual effects are more stylistic than previous X-Men films especially when showcasing new characters. The production design also did a terrific job in setting the film in the 1970s, when most of the film’s story takes place. The cinematography also gave the 70s feel to it. The editing was fast and snappy, which brings me to the next topic regarding pacing.

Director Bryan Singer on set with Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)

PACING:

Surprisingly, DOFP had a very good pace from start to finish. The film begins very strongly as we are quickly thrust into the dilemma of the characters. It did not feel boring and it did not feel draggy. It builds up to a good climax at the end. The film’s duration is about 2 hours and 10 minutes and it did not feel long when I watched it. Now, that feeling is a strong sign of you watching a good movie.

Peter Dinklage as Boliver Trask, the main villain and antagonist to the mutants

TONE (MOOD):

Everyone mutant puts aside their differences to come together and try to save themselves from extinction by doing the impossible as a solution.

Chinese actress Fan Bingbing plays Blink. She is so pretty.

DOWNSIDE:

The film only establishes new characters but rarely touched on the old ones. This might be a problem for those who are unfamiliar with the X-Men characters.

Michael Fassbender as Erik Lensherr a.k.a. Magneto

UPSIDE:

The film has a very good script and story. It kept me locked to the screen and the story pulled me in deeper as the film progresses. The film kept me interested as often as possible from scene to scene. This is very rare for a comic book adaptation film.

When Professor Charles Xavier from the past (James McAvoy) meets his future self (Patrick Stewart)

OVERALL:

DOFP is a very good film adaptation of a comic book superhero. It focuses less on showcasing superpowers and more to developing story. It borrowed a lot of elements from previous X-Men films. If I tell you what they are, I might spoil it for you. The film felt like a ‘Best Of’ compilation album which musicians usually release. DOFP is now ranked number 3 behind The Avengers (2012) and top choice The Dark Knight (2008) as my personal favourite film adaptations of comic book superheroes. Stay tune to after all the end credits for an extra scene. 

RATING:

9.0 out of 10