Is X-Men: First Class Still the Best X-Men Film?

Exploring the Legacy of X-Men: First Class—The Best X-Men Movie Yet?

Does X-Men: First Class is still the best X-Men movie till date? The 2011 prequel directed by Matthew Vaughn created quite a buzz even after its release, but after a decade of superhero films, is it possible for that film to top the X-Men franchise?

Let’s dive into this work of art and find out if it is still worth the hype it received.

X Men: First Class Movie Poster
X Men: First Class Movie Poster

The Storytelling Masterpiece

X-Men: First Class took us back in 90s. In particular, it painted a narrative that explained the beginnings of the well-known team of mutants and their growth. This movie modelled towards the relationship between Charles Xavier (James McAvoy), Erik Lensher and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) with undertones of future conflicts in the X-Men franchise.

In its essence, it was more than just a superhero movie. It managed to tell a fair and square story about fellow countryman, betrayal and clashing worlds. The film had a strong emotional core ( the friendship between Charles and Erik) which heightened the stakes and made their broader battles many times more personal.

The screenplay is by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, Jane Goldman, and Vaughn. It was the inclusion of personal narratives of these writers that differentiated X-Men: First Class from the earlier releases in the series and even some action-based superhero films made in recent times.

Ashley Edward Miller (Left First) and Cast of X Men: First Class
Ashley Edward Miller (Left First) and Cast of X Men: First Class

The Cast: A Perfect Ensemble

One aspect that makes X-Men: First Class an impressive film is the casting choices. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender gave memorable representations of a younger version of Professor X and Magneto. The two made an excellent pair, with every interaction, they were stealing the limelight. McAvoy made Charles’ optimistic and youthfulness while Fassbender had an imposing, determined, and intense character in Erik.

Another actress that was impressive was Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. Younger than the fierce blue babe, Lawrence softened the character who is somewhat of the fierce and aloof shape shifter. She had her own battle to fight in the film where she tried to choose between Charles and his former friend Erik.

Nicholas Hoult (Beast), Rose Byrne (Moira MacTaggert), and Kevin Bacon (the evil Sebastian Shaw) are also notable in the supporting cast which took the movie a notch higher. These performances made X-Men: First Class, more of an ensemble performance than a few supporting characters to the leading characters.

Matthew Vaughn
Matthew Vaughn

Visuals and Direction: A Stylish Film

Matthew Vaughn’s direction took the x-men series to the next level. He introduced a whole different approach on First Class that set the film in the 1960s, which was a perfect time period for a cold war themed movie. Everything from the costumes to the set designs and to the cinematography gave the film its own unique look which made the film very interesting to watch.

X-Men: First Class had a budget of $160 million, grossing $353 million at the Box Office. It has an IMDb rating of 7.7, with an 86% Tomatometer score and an 87% Audience Score on Rotten Tomatoes.

X-Men: Days of Future Past Movie Poster
X-Men: Days of Future Past Movie Poster

The Legacy of X-Men: First Class

So the question is, Is any X-Men film better than X- Men: First Class? By now the X-Men has revolutionary history over period of time, several other movies in the extended franchise had came out including X-Men: Days of Future Past and Logan. These were great movies, sure, but First Class is cherished for some reasons.

To begin with, it revived the dying franchise, when it actually seemed to be on the path of eradication. The Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine left the audience so unimpressed that radical transformation was the only option left for the franchise. First Class proved to be that and even more.

[ Also Read: Wolverine Left Out of the ‘X-MEN’ Reboot: What This Means for Hugh Jackman’s Future! ]

Third, First Class was able to evoke memories of the older version of X Men while presenting something new about the universe. In this way, it was a prequel but did not overindulge in the backstory allowing new audiences with no prior knowledge about the previous edition of the films to still enjoy the movie.

Has Anything Surpassed It?

Everyone seems to think that X-Men: First Class is the best of the X-Mens, however other movies in the cliche have carried equal weight. For instance, logan show, very strongly, the last chapter of wolverine in an up-close, dirty state, while days of future past had an excellent time travel plot with both the old cast and the new cast.

Nevertheless, the factor that sets First Class apart from all the previous installments is how the personal story intertwined with the global implications of the events. It was not simply, yet another, superhero flick. It was a sophisticated study of different concepts, such as friendship, ideology, and how our choices shape us.

Conclusion: Is It Still the Best?

Ultimately, a considerable number of fans, including me, may still consider X-Men: First Class to be the best among all the X-Men films. The mix of engaging storytelling, interesting characters, and a new vision created about the X-Men universe raised expectations for the franchise.

Even though future films such as the saga on Logan or Days of the Future Past have effectively taken the competition to the next level, First Class is often revered for its audacity and impressive show.

What do you think about First Class? In your opinion, is X-Men: First Class still the greatest X-Men film, or did some other entry in this franchise dethroned it?

Write down your ideas in the comment section below, and let’s begin to discuss!

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