Let me start by saying that X-Men: Days of Future Past brings together arguably the biggest star cast we have seen in a long time. Though only a few of them get to do substantial work with their characters but I am not complaining. Why would I? How often do we get to see James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, with Patric Stewart & Ian McKellen? Add to that Jennifer Lawrence & Ellen Page, Top all that up with Hugh Jackman and Peter Dinklage. Wow! With a cast like that, one needs to do just a little more to make people scream. This film does a lot more.
The film takes no time in getting down to business and starts right away filling the screen with mutants both old and new. You see Blink who makes portals to move around (reminded me of Portal, the amazing game from Valve), Colossus, Kitty, Ice Man etc. The first fight sequence itself gives you a glimpse of what to expect from the rest of the film, and let me tell you what follows is spectacular.
The action sequences are top notch and extremely well choreographed. A few scenes mix humor with action which is actually signature for all Marvel Studio films (this film has Marvel characters but has not been made under Marvel Studios, read more here: Marvel Redefines Synergies). The highest point of the film comes thanks to the introduction of a new kick-ass mutant called Quick Silver. As the name suggests, Quick Silver is very fast and [SPOILER ALERT BEGINS] interestingly he is the son of Magneto. This fact is not revealed in this film, only a small hint is dropped to suggest the same. [SPOILER ALERT ENDS] The scene takes place in slow motion and shows the speed at which Quick Silver sees the world around him. The background score complements the scene really well and the entire sequence leaves you laughing and awestruck at the same time. It deserves all the claps it got during the screening. The narrative is interesting for most part though I would have loved a little more detail and background on the current time/present day happenings.
James McAvoy & Michael Fassbender are superb once again as younger versions of Prof. X & Magneto. As always Hugh Jackman lives and breathes like Wolverine and I can’t imagine what it will be like after this as this could very well be Jackman’s last outing as Wolverine. Lets hope he sticks around for the next sequel in 2016. Jennifer Lawrence as Raven/Mystique is totally in her elements and Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) is breath taking as the central negative character but it is his future creations The Sentinels that are so much worse, inducing fear of life even in the most powerful mutants.
I would have really liked to see more of Ellen Page & Ian McKellen but as I mentioned before the film does not delve into the present day details and so these brilliant people do not get to show their class. The climax of the film is a little underplayed for my liking. I would have loved an all out smash & bang but the film settles for something safe on this front. It also resets the X-Men world in very interesting ways which can serve as fountainhead for new stories for next several years.
Overall, the X-Men: Days of Future Past is probably the best X-Men installment that we have seen and it surely is not a film that you would like to miss. A word of caution for the people who have not seen some of the previous films in the franchise. It would be a little difficult to link the events with past films which is not essential but it does elevate the experience. Having said that the film still has the potential to keep your attention throughout the 2 hrs even if it is your first X-Men film.
Rating: 4/5
P.S. The 3D version of the film offers absolutely nothing so i would suggest watching this one in 2D. Also, stick around for the end credits scene at the very end! You will be rewarded with a bonus first look at the next movie’s villain. And, if you are an X-Men fan, you know it is gonna be one hell of a ride!