X-Men: First Class Trailer—Breakdown & Analysis

The moment we've been waiting for is finally here. The first official trailer for X-Men: First Class finally premiered. People have pretty much been bashing the movie based on the very few images that have been released. With this official trailer, let's see if that will change. 
 
Let's break down this trailer to see what it finally tells us. 

== TEASER == 

 

BEFORE HE WAS PROFESSOR X 

The opening shot reassures us they haven't forsaken the X-Men's history. With a lot of the crazy stuff we've been hearing, they could have easily changed things completely and simply disregard where everyone is suppose to end up (like they do on TV's Smallville). Charles Xavier will end up in a wheelchair, just not right now. Cut to the shot of a Patrick Stewart-looking X-Men says that there just might be a connection to the previous X-Men films. 

When we first see James McAvoy as a younger Charles Xavier, it looks like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. We know that most of this footage will be mixed around. It appears he's standing sullen in a park but for some reason it makes me think he's in a cemetery, despite no visible tombstones. 
 

BEFORE HE WAS MAGNETO 

We know things won't end well between Magneto and Professor X. The first shot we see gives us an ominous view of Magneto's helmet and gloves. This is then followed with another reminder that there are other X-Men movies. More reassurance that maybe they are not going to simply wipe everything out. 
 

When we see Erik (before he became Magneto), he doesn't look like the most cheerful guy around. From the room he's in, I imagine this is during a discussion with Charles about the fate of mutantkind. This could be the beginning of the falling out between the two. 

After we see the Marvel logo (reminding us that this is based on Marvel characters even though Marvel Studios is not putting it out).
  
For those unaware, John F. Kennedy's speech informs us that this is taking place during the 60s around the time of the Bay of Pigs. Then we get a look at what I imagine is the Xavier Institute (I can't recall how it looked in the previous X-films since it's been a while since I've watched those).

         

During the speech, Charles and Moira watch with the First Class standing behind him. We see Erik, Havok, Mystique, Beast (?) and one other (is that Sean Cassidy, aka Banshee?). JFK's speech talks about the possible nuclear attack from Russia. What we can get from this is they are not only concerned with events directly involving mutants but we're also seeing their reaction to events that could have an impact on the world.  
 
Anthony Petten asked, via Twitter, why Erik was holding a gun in those two shots. Since he and some of the boys are wearing sweats and they're at a school, I say they were doing some track and field. Maybe the gun is a starter's pistol.

Yesterday we saw an image of Magento standing in a weird looking room. This shot of Emma Frost shows her in that same room. Because she is being observed we have to wonder why she is apparently being held in custody. Previous images have shown January Jones with James McAvoy so it hasn't been clear if this Emma will be good or bad. Sebastian Shaw and the Hellfire Club will come into the movie so we'll have to wait and see what Emma's motivations are.
  

When we see Angel Salvadore, it's a little creepy. She appears to be in a Gentlemen's Club setting and clearly has her shirt off. Who is it that is getting this private show behind the red curtains? It's Charles and Erik, doing a little male bonding. What creeps me out over this is I think of her as a teenage girl. I could be wrong about the situation here and her age in the movie (why not since she wouldn't have even been born in the 60s in the comics) but it seems weird thinking about Charles and Erik hanging out like this, sitting on a bed. Maybe they're just going undercover to try to infiltrate the Hellfire Club, right?

Next we get a look at several of the mutants. The first, I think is Hank McCoy (who shows up later as Beast). Then we see Havok followed by Darwin. Finally we see Mystique lying in bed transforming into her familiar form from the previous X-Men films. Why is Mystique lying in bed, apparently with no clothes under the sheets? If you know your X-Men history and the fact that a certain teleporting character is in the movie (and shows up later here), you might have an idea. I really hope we won't be seeing Nightcrawler's conception. 

Back in December we saw some images leaked online of a crashed Blackbird. Based on the speech and the threat of a nuclear attack, it appears that the X-Men are taking matters into their own hand. As the Blackbird flies over some battleships, the hatch opens, revealing Charles and Erik, dressed in the yellow and blues. 

"Are you ready for this?" 
"Let's find out." 
 
It's great to see Charles and Erik ready to make a last stand against what they see as a big threat. Erik wearing yellow and blue is weird and makes you wonder where this scene takes place in the movie? How much of the story of the fallout are we getting? We know Erik will change into Magneto before it's over. Those ships they're flying over don't really appreciate that they might be trying to help. Either that or it's the enemy firing upon them. This most likely is what causes the Blackbird to crash. 
 

If that was indeed Hank McCoy earlier, things get pretty hairy for him by this point in the movie. He appears to be piloting the Blackbird and obviously, has turned blue and furry. Let's hope he has what it takes to pilot the jet.

After a whole bunch of missiles targeting the Blackbird and a shot of Charles swimming for shore, we see Erik using his powers in what I assume is Cuba. When a guard approaches him, Erik uses his powers to make the guard stab himself in the gut. This doesn't seem like the type of behavior Charles would condone. There has to be a reason Erik is here alone. Why doesn't he have on his yellow and blue jacket? Does this scene take place at a different point from when they were on the jet? Did Erik grab some other poor guards jacket to provide a disguise (why go on a mission wearing a bright yellow jacket?)? Because Erik and Charles are friends throughout the movie, we have to assume that Erik wouldn't necessarily be so quick to kill. Is Charles being held somewhere or is there another reason for Erik to resort to violence so quickly?  

Now we see some growing pains. The problem with most trailers is they don't show us everything sequentially. Here's that kid again and it does indeed appear that this is Hank McCoy. The needle he was holding earlier could have been the serum that caused him to further mutate into his blue and furry self. It doesn't look like it feels too great. I would imagine the transformation is sort of like what we see in werewolf movies where the bones actually transform during the change.

Kevin Bacon makes his appearance as Sebastian Shaw. Taking more liberties with the characters, Emma is seen transforming into her diamond form, something she isn't able to do until much later in her life. 
 
The big question is, if they're trying to tie this movie to the previous ones, what does Emma's appearance here mean for her appearance in X-Men Origins: Wolverine? 

Now we see Havok using his powers to do some serious blasting. I know we need to let go of the change in continuity but I still find it odd for Alex Summers to be part of the X-Men team before his older brother Scott (Cyclops).

    

Charles is seen in with an early version of Cerebro. It's far from as sleek and sexy as the previous movies (and that tiny glimpse at the beginning). It's nice to see the old computers and equipment in the background to ensure it has a 60s feel to it (reminds me a little of LOST). When he first activates it, it's not a pleasant experience. Charles has most likely been using his powers for a while but not at this level. Opening his mind like this to the world is probably like touching your skin after you get a scrape. There's that feeling of rawness until you get used to it.

This can't be good news. Azazel, the father of Nightcrawler, is hanging out with Sebastian Shaw. When he grabs this poor man's hand in a gesture to help him up, he teleports him away. The red puff of smoke is reminiscent of Nightcrawler's teleportation in X2. Later he's seen dealing with some armed guards in a way similar to Nightcrawler's attack in the White House. 

We know this is going to happen. Erik is going to go form being a BFF with Charles into the red-helmet-wearing Magneto. And there's that room again. Is someone standing in front of him. 

Erik shows he's not messing around. Right before this, Charles tells him, "Killing will not bring you peace." 
Erik's reply was, "Peace was never an option." We can also see that the battle ships here are waving Russian flags. 
 
The trailer does show us quite a bit but (thankfully) there are still loads of questions. I may have some doubts over certain aspects of the direction they've chosen with this but bottom line, I liked it. I enjoyed the music used to pump up the scenes. There clearly will be enough action to keep us on the edge of our seats. Who we don't see is Oliver Platt as The Man In Black.
 
Okay, now it's time to tell me, what did I miss? Was there anything shown that surprised or impressed you. There's been a lot of negativity before this trailer landed, do you still feel the same or has this turned things around for you? 
 
And of course, here's the trailer again if you haven't seen it or want to see it one more time.