X-Men: First Class

X-Men: First Class while at first look First Class seems to be a prequel related to the original trilogy, however after seeing First Class it is truly a film that stands not only on its own, but is really not even truly tied to the original trilogy. Just like it states in the first trailer for this movie it tells of the story of Professor X and Magneto when they were simply known as Charles and Erik. Being brought together as they both begin to understand their own powers they become friends who while fighting for mutant rights begin to see the vast differences in the roads they believe they should go down for the rights of all mutants. First Class was very interesting to see the origins of some of the mutants that we have never known how they came about to be.

While it was definitely not the same to not have Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan in the roles of Professor X and Magneto, James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender perform admirably in the roles. McAvoy and Fassbender come across as being very believable as the younger versions of the roles that Stewart and McKellan have played so strongly. The surprise for me that I thought I would probably never see in a comic/superhero movie was that of Kevin Bacon in it. Kevin Bacon plays the villainous role of Sebastian Shaw and is truly hateable throughout the movie. The supporting cast was strong enough for the movie but it is truly carried by Bacon, McAvoy and Fassbender. The part of the movie that I would have liked to see more of was to receive more of a back story on the origins of the bad mutants and how they came about, the backstorys for all the other main characters were very poignant and gave a great understanding of each mutant.

While most summer blockbusters are more action based then story, First Class focuses on telling the story with a little action. Matthew Vaughn's directing is strong as his pacing makes the movie continue forward which can especially be difficult in a summer blockbuster when action is so greatly expected. Because of this desire for such action when they actually try to tell the story it becomes completely bogged down. Yet it is important to remember that while the action is not exactly explosive it is still superb and one of the coolest scenes of all is when Erik pulls the submarine out of the water and suspends it. The makeup effects in the movie are also pretty amazing. I am sure it took a lot of time every day for the actors to sit and be put in so much makeup. With the makeup my personal favorite is that of Azazel, now part of this feeling for him being a favorite from this movie may simply be that I have always been partial to Nightcrawler and Azazel is his father.

X-Men: First Class is a strong reboot film. While there are some obvious differences from the X-Men storyline, at least more of these were differences that I was able to easily overlook because of the strength of the acting and carrying on between the different characters. Kevin Bacon was obviously the biggest surprise in this movie. The back story particularly for Charles and Erik really were very interesting and gave the movie exactly what you might expect. Also there is a cameo within the movie that while it is only seconds long it is enjoyable to see. I am giving X-Men: First Class three buckets of popcorn out of five. This is definitely a film worth watching and is one that will probably be added to the DVD collection in the future.

-The Movie Man

Captain America: The First Avenger

Captain America was probably my most anticipated movie of the summer for me. Having that thought process with a movie is always dangerous in that it just may not meet that high anticipation. Captain America though managed to meet these expectations for me and really has made me excited for the Avengers movie next summer. Captain America ends up being a fun origin story that does a great job of not only delivering a strong story but as well meets the requisites that we all expect in a summer blockbuster movie especially that of great special effects and in your face action.

Chris Evans in the role of Steve Rogers/Captain America ended up being very fitting for the role. While at the beginning I was not sure if he would fit into the role of Captain America especially since he had been a super hero previously. Evans though did a great job at really portraying the power, strength and confidence that we would expect in a super hero that is the embodiment of America. The scene that shows this is when Tommy Lee Jones' character does not believe Rogers to be the right candidate to undergo the transformation. In trying to prove his point he tosses a grenade into the line of the candidates, without hesitation Rogers jumps onto the grenade and tells everyone else to get out of the way. Yet in any super hero movie, no matter how good the acting is by the super hero it is all for naught if there is not an equally strong villain, and Hugo Weaving does not disappoint. Portraying Red Skull, Weaving is not only powerful on screen, but you truly believe that his undergoing of the transformation truly did amplify his evil characteristics and you believe him to be quite insane. The supporting cast from Stanley Tucci, Samuel L. Jackson to Tommy Lee Jones all give strong performances to really help support up the main conflict that builds throughout between Captain America and Red Skull.

The special effects in Captain America are precisely what is expected in a summer blockbuster. The effect to alter Chris Evans to make him look like such a short and weak person throughout the early beginnings of the film is one example of strong effects. While originally they were going to place his head on a double that was smaller and shorter they felt this did not fit properly and so instead they used CGI to create the body of Steve Rogers. This CGI was exactly what was needed for the movie and while you know that it is not a natural view the CGI is not really noticeable. The other effect was that of the makeup used to create the look of Red Skull. The makeup ends up really being a strong point for the intimidation and general evil feeling that we receive from looking at Red Skull. The look of Red Skull could have truly come off looking childish/cartoonish or even campy, luckily they do not get caught in this trap. After all the individual films for the Avenger I think that Red Skull has been my favorite villain simply because of his look.

The theme of the film is simple and interesting enough to make you stick to your seat. It's storyline is simple yet classic and does exactly what was asked to do in establishing it's lead character as an iconic superhero. Throughout the movie you get one-liners here and there that make the audience laugh. Likewise, the music throughout the film fit perfectly for not only the time period but the genre of a comic book super hero movie. Not to mention the film gives us great action, explosions and some pretty fun fighting sequences. While the final fight sequence is a little anti-climatic there is one sequence in the middle part of the movie is truly fun and gives a great fight between Red Skull and Captain America.

Captain America: The First Avenger is a fun movie that although even a little campy it fits perfectly for the character of Captain America as well as that of the WWII era. With Captain America being a super soldier and even the rah-rah aspect of who Captain America is, parts of it could almost pass off as being an actual recruitment video. Red Skull is a great villain and is currently my favorite villain to date in the Avenger universe. I will let any one know in case they have not heard but after all the credits there is a quick sneak peek look at next years The Avengers movie. I am giving Captain America: The First Avenger three and three-fourths buckets of popcorn out of five. This movie was well worth the price of admission and is definitely worth watching on a movie theater screen. While I did not see it on an IMAX screen if you have the opportunity to see it on an IMAX I would definitely jump on it.

-The Movie Man

Cowboys & Aliens

Cowboys & Aliens is a western that delivers all the action and fun that one would definitely expect from a western movie. Of course the unique aspect of this western is the thrown in villains of aliens. While initially I was unsure about what I would think of a western with a science fiction twist, but the aspect of this movie having Harrison Ford and Daniel Craig made me not disregard this movie from the first teaser trailer. While I am not familiar with the comic book that Cowboys & Aliens is based on but the film provides us exactly what the title suggests. While this movie does not provide anything that is mind blowing, it provides Sci-Fi action with western violence.

Cowboys & Aliens is nothing but to entertain you. The only thing that is unique here is the Western & Sci-Fi collaboration. The film is just your typical Western movie but instead of Indians or some sadistic bandit, the aliens are the antagonist of the film. The aliens are pretty intriguing but we don't see them that much until the third act. It's disappointing if you are expecting too much aliens. Yet for me they did not overkill the aliens to us which really made them seem more mysterious. The only things we see them do are ride their ships, stab people, shoot with their weapons, and jump scare the audiences. It's also your typical alien invasion film.

Daniel Craig in the role of Jake Lonergan is stupendous. It is definitely a strong aspect of a film and shows Craig's skills acting with his ability to command the screen with the fact that he is on the screen a lot but has relatively few lines. And with those few lines he gives a pretty good American accent. Harrison Ford plays the old grumpy man to perfection. Although Ford in his last few roles has played the old grumpy man makes one wonder how much acting he is actually doing. Olivia Wilde commands the screen herself and really does a great job at not being overshadowed by the veteran actors.

Jon Favreau's directing is precisely what is to be expected of the Iron man director. He surely knows how to make the action sequences exciting, with some great explosions. It is easy to recognize the CGI effects were done by Industrial Light & Magic, since the aliens look just like any monster in a J.J. Abrams film. The score for this movie follows exactly what is expected in a western movie.

The best part of the movie: The fights mean something. You care what happens to Lonerman, Dolarhyde, Elle, Doc, and Emmett. When characters die, the persons close to them emote. The characters who die are characters you grow attached to. You want their deaths avenged. You are made known in none-uncertain-terms that the situation is dire. And that's what makes Cowboys & Aliens a very strong movie.

Cowboys & Aliens is a fun Sci-Fi/Western that definitely met my expectations. Ford, Craig and Wilde give strong performances, with a strong supporting cast. Cowboys & Aliens provides the action, explosion and fun that audiences want and expect in summer movie blockbusters. I am giving Cowboys & Aliens three and a half buckets of popcorn out of five. This is definitely a movie that allows you to simply enjoy being at the movies and not have to worry about the stresses of everyday life. This is a movie that I found to be well worth the price of admission.

-The Movie Man