9/10

This is the X Men film that fans of the comics deserve. I am still amazed 24 hours later at how much I really loved this film. Everything comes together perfectly in the newest X Men film directed by Bryan Singer. In this installment based on the graphic novels, the worlds of our mutants of the past and present collide. First of all, lets get it out of the way that there are some differences from the comics, but I don’t personally sweat on something like that. I have said before that if everything was 100% the same, there would be no surprises and no point to see the film. As long as the movie doesn’t completely ruin it’s origins, it’s all done in the brilliant world of creativity, and oh boy does the creativity reign supreme in this film. I am strongly debating if this film succeeds The Dark Knight in terms of my favorite comic book movie of all time. It really is that good. The story requires Wolverine to travel back in time to stop an event that eventually leads to the X-Men’s demise. That alone offers all of the opportunities in the world for some great on screen scenes between actors who have never worked together despite being a part of the same story. There are so many good performances that I don’t even know where to start. Hugh Jackman has proven that he can play Wolverine in his sleep at this point. I will never be able to imagine anyone else under the roll. He brings out the witty humor of Wolverine while not losing his intimidation factor. James Mcavoy adds a melancholy feel to Charles Xavier that he hasn’t quite felt in the on screen adaptations. He has lost so much, but he still believes there is a world out there worth saving. Jennifer Lawrence is really the screen stealer of this film. She flashes a dangerous side that Lawrence hasn’t quite gotten a chance to show in any film she has been in. Sexy and intelligent are the two traits that make Mystique the most dangerous weapon in this movie. Peter Dinklage brings a menacing genius to his scientist character that really makes you grit your teeth in hating him. Game of Thrones fans always brag about how great Dinklage is on the show, and I can promise you that you won’t be disappointed by his performance here. Evan Peters is absolutely my favorite thing about the movie as a young Quicksilver. He is so young and naïve, but his charisma comes out in spades as he is having the time of his life as this character. I yearned for more only minutes after he left the screen. Some other people have good time shining, but there are those who are left in the dust of supporting character. Halle Berry in particular as Storm is only given two lines, and you forget she exists until the final fight scene. I get that it’s a huge cast, but many characters are forgotten in this film. That is one of the only problems I had with the movie. Other than that, the 3D is useless. For one, outside of the opening, there is no reason to have it, and two, the cinematography of a future destroyed New York mixed with the 70’s flashbacks offer beautiful eye candy that doesn’t need 3D to enhance it. Singer really does his homework when it comes to the country’s fears and ideals during the Nixon administration. It’s even interesting that some famous events in U.S history are used to compliment X Men storylines. One thing that did surprise me about the film was that it doesn’t rely as much on fighting scenes compared to other X Men movies. There are some beautiful action and fight scenes in the movie, but this 2 hours and 10 minutes relies more on a well written script with great face to face confrontations to push it further. I like that. I like that it’s not like the other X Men films good and bad. The ending is something that I feel was written perfectly and would’ve been the best way to end this series. I already know they have plans on making a sequel, but I can’t see that one beating this in terms of offering something for a X Men reader to enjoy. There is an after credits scene that clearly shows the direction they are heading in with the time traveling aspect. I am fine with another X Men film, but I wish this was it. X Men : Days of Futures Past is the best film in the X Men franchise BY FAR. Singer elevates the action to delight the fans and newcomers but he delivers a fast-paced emotional storyline that blends in all of the previous films without confusing anyone. Certainly a first rate entertainment among the Marvel films to date. Well recommended, but leave the 3D on the shelf.