My comic
book reading has taken something of a back seat lately, and even when I do it’s
rarely something new. I haven’t read
anything Marvel or DC in months, well nothing DC really, Marvel is another
matter. Despite the fact that I grew up
as a fan of Marvel Saturday morning cartoons I never really warmed to their
books, preferring the world and the characters of the DC Universe.
Whenever I
do read Marvel, however, the only titles I actually acre about are the X-Men
books. It might be because I enjoyed the
90’s cartoon series, it might be because of the great range and selection of
female characters they have on offer. Or
perhaps I, like many others, identitfy with the mutants and their plight due to
being part of a minority. Especially one
that is often at the centre of hate crime, political debate and media
attention.
Whatever the
reasoning I’m an X-Men fan, and like other X-Men fans and comic book readers in
general I eagerly looked forward to each new instalment of the mutant
franchise. I really enjoyed the first
two films, and even managed to find some things in the terrible third film I
actually liked. Kelsey Grammer as Beast
being the main one. ‘X-Men Origins:
Wolverine’ was so dire though that I thought that my beloved franchise had gone
and imploded like so many film series seem to inevitably do.
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| The X-Men fight for their lives like never before. |
Then ‘X-Men
First Class’ came out and blew me away.
Not only was their now a good X-Men film that explored the origins of
the franchise, it also gave us some brilliant characters that had not had the
chance to take centre stage before. Plus
it was just a damn good movie! I
challenge anyone to watch the scene where Magneto confronts a pair of former
Nazi’s in a south American bar without saying it’s a great scene.
So as soon
as ‘Days of Future Past’ was announced I was very, very excited. We were about to be given a film directed by
series legend Brian Singer. It was going
to be based upon one of the most famous comic book stories of all time. The cast from the original trilogy and First
Class would appear. Plus a whole load of
new characters such as Bishop and Blink appear.
This film was set up to be nothing short of amazing. And you know what? It delivered.
Opening with
an action sequence set in the nightmarish future timeline that not only showed
just how high the stakes were for our heroes but also gave the X-Men a chance
to really show off their powers in a way that the other films in the series
have only dreamed of.
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| Old favourites return to fight alongside new characters like Blink. |
With the
Sentinel controlled future firmly established the film shifts both tone and
style rather dramatically as we’re taken into the past and end up in the 1970’s. The film works brilliantly in this time
period, especially with Hugh Jackman bombing around in the 70’s style shirt and
wolverine hair. Jennifer Lawrence in
particular looks stunning in her period clothing, lighting up the screen
whenever she’s around.
What follows
is a fun romp through the past with enough comedy and heartbreak to feel
genuine and realistic without becoming a parody of itself or the time it’s set
in. Each cast member is given their own
moment to shine, not an easy feat with such a large cast of characters and
actors to juggle.
Despite
being a time travel film that could have very easily fallen into the ‘none of
it happened/counts’ trap that similar films have fallen into in the past, but
this time ‘Days of Future Past’ dodges that particular trap to deliver a well
thought out and emotionally driven piece that gives the audience a satisfying
conclusion. With some surprise character
appearances and some knowing nods the conclusion of the film not only sets an
exciting stage for 2016’s ‘X-Men Apocalypse’ but gives a sweet farewell to the
original trilogy cast that fans will love.
Amy.
