X:Men: Days Of Future Past

...I feel as if I have the odd distinction of being both a newcomer and a grizzled veteran of the X-Men film franchise. When the original X-Men film came out in 2000, I REALLY wanted to see it in theaters. For reasons that are currently foggy, it never came to pass. I had seen X2 when the DVD first came out and had even purchased the first two films in a set, but neither one really resonated for some reason. In the mid-2000's while in college, I went through a period of mostly watching Criterion films alongside the most exploitative Euro-horror I could unearth. It wasn't until Hellboy II: The Golden Army that I came back around on the comic book films.

Since re-watching the original X-Men about four years ago, I have seen and fervently own the entire canon of X-Men related films on Bluray. I eagerly anticipated X-Men First Class in theaters, was sufficiently floored with it's mature, multi-layered approach and have watched it multiple times with the same level of excitement. I have also watched X3: The Last Stand and questioned what exactly people dislike about it. Continuity issues and a bit of camp aside, I found The Last Stand to be quite underrated. Point being, I am a huge fanatic of the X-Men and their respective film franchise, nowhere close to being burnt out.

X-Men: Days Of Future Past...a very high level of anticipation was afoot for me with this one. X-Men First Class, in my opinion, is one of those films that elevates itself in many ways. It is a rock solid comic book story while also being a top notch science fiction and political thriller. In my mind, it is the high watermark of the series. With Days Of Future Past, it was meant to be both a sequel to First Class as well as the film to tie the entire collection together into one giant package. My lone concern was the exit of Matthew Vaughn in the director's chair. While I enjoy the other X-Men films, Matthew Vaughn has a different sensibility that made First Class stand out.

I won't go into any major plot points and spoilers in the interest of those wanting to see Days Of Future Past. That said, go see Days Of Future Past. Do it now. It is truly that good. While I have read (and may continue to read) the ways in which Days Of Future Past fails to completely reset the continuity of the X-Men film universe, no amount of minor discrepancies can curtail how incredibly this film was handled.

Uniting the entire film universe into one massive film, Days Of Future Past blends both the science-fiction roots of the early entries with tenets of a solid political thriller as a backdrop. Whereas First Class took place during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Days Of Future Past picks up at the tail end of the Vietnam conflict. In addition to dealing with the mess of the real world ordeal, the whole of humanity is facing the perceived growing threat of humans evolved. It weaves the comic book universe with the tense atmosphere of uncertainty of the 1970's.

Once again, Michael Fassbender and James McAvoy are pitch perfect as Erik Lehnsherr and Charles Xavier. They ended First Class less as mortal enemies than victims of a dissolved friendship rooted in a conflict in belief. Right away, this is a departure from the drawing board elements of hero versus villain. At the outset of Days Of Future Past, they are brought back together through necessity due to the common cause of survival. No matter how close or distant the two men are physically or philosophically, they refer to one another as "old friend". Clearly, there is always a sense of loss between the two, having regret over their inability to find common ground.

Back and forth through time, the X-Men are tasked with changing the past to save the future. The mutant race are highly fractured on both ends and working feverishly to fix both ends of the space-time continuum. Even amidst the high octane action sequences, there is a fantastic story sewn throughout. It is difficult enough for these disparate personalities to exist on one plane and here, the feelings of mistrust permeate throughout.

It felt like keeping all of the plates spinning was a monumental task during every inch of Days Of Future Past. I am elated to report that the plates spin with pristine success. Never did anything feel shoehorned in to keep the story progressing. Every action felt as if there was a consequence and when it all reached its apex, resolution was achieved without being absolute. There was enough gray area throughout to keep the current next level this franchise has raised itself to intact while being fully arranged for the recently announced Apocalypse.

In my eyes, this franchise has being solidly established and is very safe going forward. While I would be bowled over to see the X-Men back in Marvel's hands for the much-desired Avengers meeting, I am very content with what is currently being delivered. As the founding father of the contemporary comic book film franchise, the X-Men have grown and evolved as their individual characters do in the books. If you have seen the prior films, Days Of Future Past will more than satisfy one's palette. If one is going in blind, you will find much to like here. Either way, go see Days Of Future Past. Do it now.