X-Men: First Class

I do realize that some people here on the vine are extremely loyal to the original source material and to canon, and obviously as people know, this movie isn't really loyal to the original comics. But I believe that you have to evaluate the movie as a movie, and not a comic book, while still appreciating the comic book characters, easter eggs and references.  
 
Now as I live in the UK, the movie came out today (1st June 2011) over here I realize it's not coming out for a little while in other countries (opening on the 3rd in America). So I'm keeping this review spoiler free... 

The Good 

The movie's plot line cleverly interwines the existing of mutants with real historical events, i.e. the Holocaust and the Cuban Missile Crisis (and as a history student I appreciate this a whole lot!), and the roles mutants had to play in these events. This combination of History and Mutants is handled extremely well and really adds to the sense of history to the film.  
 
Also, if you're thrown off by all the various clips and images that have been released, thinking they have spoiled the film, then fear not because the clips are extremely watered down and edited, appearing much shorter than they actually are. Obviously, a lot of people have a lot of issues with canon and certain characters that appear in the film, but I say just as long as the execution of the film is good and I'm entertained, then I don't really have a problem. It's so exciting to see characters like Havok, Banshee and Angel Salvadore on the big screen, being introduced to a new generation of fans who would never usually know who they were! I welcome a film which brings my favourite characters to life, even if the origins are different to the comics which I read and love. 
 

One of the strongest features of the film is Michael Fassbender as Magneto. He is awesome. He really portrays Magneto to a T, he is exactly what I imagine Magento to be. His path for vengeance is one of the best aspects of the movie, in-particular the scene in the bar in Argentina. He's cold, but charismatic, and one of the highlights of the film is his relationship with Xavier, played by an awesome James McAvoy.   However, as an avid X fan, one of the best aspects of the X World as a whole, movie or comic, is the discovery of new mutant students and their powers. Everyone loves a scene where a character reveals their powers, and theres plenty of that. Banshee is funny and his flying scenes provide some great action and entertainment. Plus Havok provides the cool role of powerful douche who you still like. Angel, is mighty sexy and provides some impressive visuals with her wings and fight scenes. Kevin Bacon is great as a villain and his power is displayed in a new, interesting way. 
 
A huge strength of the film is its visual effects. This add tremendously to the action scenes, especially in the missile scenes plus when when one of the characters uses their powers, especially Riptide, Shaw, Azazel, Angel and Frost.

 
Plus the ending is super exciting, it really made me want another film.

The Bad 

I really tried not to let my geek side effect my enjoyment, but I am picky about a few things... 

First, if your looking for some Irish/Scottish action in the film then you'll be disappointed, both Banshee and Moira are not from their original countries. In fact, Moira is an American CIA agent, little odd. But I suppose this is necessary for the plot, not the American part, the CIA part. Also I understand that changes have to be made for a movie, especially if it's American, when the 2 main characters are speaking with British accents, Americans need to relate to the film somehow. Another strange aspect is the change in Shaw's history. He's a ermm Nazi kind of. While this does serve to the films plot and Magneto's want for revenge, it just seemed a bit odd to me. Also, Azazel and Riptide, barely get any dialogue and they fit the role of wordless henchmen. However, this is what I want from Henchmen, I want them to have cool fight scenes and effects, not be Shakespeare's, and that's exactly what you get, but some character development/back story would of been nice. However these were only a minor, picky, things. My major gripe with the film was....Emma Frost.
 
If your expecting a great, bitchy, Frost. Think again. The character, visually, is Emma, spot on. But her dialogue is bland, Emma is essentially a pretty henchman in the movie. She has the, what I call, 'The Sienna Miller Effect', meaning she's there to look pretty, not to serve any real purpose. In fact, Emma doesn't have all that much to say at all, she's just kinda there to be a telepath to stop Charles. She doesn't have any of the snappy, bitchy dialogue which makes Emma who she is. While that may be my geek side talking, from a movie goer point of view... I would still think exactly the same. She's just kinda...blah. But from a male perspective...she's hot....
 
The Verdict 
While I obviously had some minor issues with the film, it serves up some great entertainment, fight scenes and dialogue. It's a worthy addition to the X franchise, (MUCH better than the X3 and Origins) it isn't overloaded with characters or villains, and serves up a great introduction to, hopefully, a new X franchise. The strength of this film lies in its effects, it's cast and script. Go see this film if you love X-Men or films in general. Great action, great dialogue, great film.