X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014)

Director: Bryan Singer

Writer: Simon Kinberg (Screenplay) Jane Goldman, Simon Kinberg, Matthew Vaughn (Story)

Starring:

• Hugh Jackman (Real Steel, Logan, The Wolverine)
• James McAvoy (Glass, IT Chapter Two)
• Michael Fassbender (Dark Phoenix, Alien Covinent)
• Jennifer Lawrence (Red Sparrow, X-Men, Hunger Games)
• Halle Berry
• Nicholas Hoult
• Anna Paquin
• Ellen Page (inception)
• Peter Dinklage (I Care A Lot)
• Shawn Ashmore (Acts of Violence)
• Omar Sy
• Evan Peters
• Ian McKellen
• Patrick Stewart (The Wilde Wedding, Logan)
• Daniel Cudmore
• Angela Galuppo (Cleo, Racetime)

Plot: Sentinels, robots that were created for the purpose of hunting down mutants were released in 1973. 50 Years later the Sentinels would also hunt humans who aid mutants. Charles Xavier (Stewart) and his X-Men try their best to deal with the Sentinels but they are able to adapt and deal with all mutant abilities. Charles decides to go back in time and change things. He asks Kitty Pryde (Page) who can send a person’s consciousness into the person’s past to send him but she can only send someone back a few weeks because if she sends someone back further it could harm them. Logan (Jackman) decides to go back himself because he might be able to withstand it. Charles tells him that it’s Mystique (Lawrence) who’s responsible because when she learned about eh Sentinels she sought out Bollivar Trask (Dinklage) the man who created them and killed him. She would be caught and studied and her ability to change was somehow added to the Sentinels which is why they can adapt. Logan must go to the younger Charles (McAvoy) and ask him to help; problem is that he was despondent at that time and without his powers because he took a drug which allows him to walk but takes away his powers. Logan is also told to find Magneto (Fassbender).

Verdict: X-Men Meets Terminator

Story: First off let’s look at how the balance between two different time zones works, the 1970s world is created well and using plenty of references from the previous films, while the modern world is very dark, full of death. These two meet well and without confusing bounce between very easily. The whole let’s stop the government from creating something to stop mutants for seemingly no reason feels done before but how it is executed works well. What plays out like just another X-Men film ups the stakes again from previous instalments and builds on the smarter story telling of ‘X-Men: First Class’ using the characters from the original trilogy, in what must be the first reboot reunion cast film. The story is very enjoyable and easy to follow and using time travel can sometimes get confusing this doesn’t let that happen as we learn more about the origins of other mutants including Mystique, Quicksilver and Beast. (8/10)

Actor Reviews

Hugh Jackman: Wolverine with his healing ability he goes back in time, well his mind at least, he knows about certain mutant abilities the others in the past are unaware of and gets to enjoy the fun that involved him mocking the people that helped him in the future. Good performance from Hugh but wouldn’t expect anything less from him. (9/10)

James McAvoy: Charles Xavier struggling to deal with the pain from the finale of the previous film, he has sacrificed his powers to walk, but lost his fight to save other mutants struggling. Logan helps restore his faith and fight for what is right. Good performance from James showing the struggle a man has between his own personally wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. (8/10)

Michael Fassbender: Erik Lehnsher locked up for assignation of JFK we are left to wonder if he has changed his ways since the last encounter in Cuba, he soon shows his true colours and will do anything to get the upper hand in the war with humans. Good performance from Michael who gets to let loose after all his serious roles. (8/10)

Jennifer Lawrence: Mystique the shape shifting mutant who can become anyone and has caused the effects that have created the dark future. She is still torn between Charles and Erik fights and we are left to guess what side she will pick. Good performance from Jennifer showing she really is the golden girl of Hollywood right now. (8/10)

Nicolas Hoult: Beast the only mutant who has stayed loyal to Charles who spends his time looking after his estate while treating him for his pain. Beast shows his colours when he is tested and puts everything into fighting for what is right. Good performance from Nicolas showing he is a rising force in Hollywood. (8/10)

Ellen Page: Kitty Pryde uses her ability to send Logan mind back in time. Only a small role that is a big part, as she spends the whole film holding Logan’s mind in time. (7/10)

Peter Dinklage: Doctor Bolivar Trask the creator of the Sentinels who wants to unleash them to stop mutants, but his true motive is never really explained. Good performance from Peter who is always great in everything. (8/10)

Evan Peters: Quicksilver a young mutant with super speed, he has been using his powers for his own personal gain but when a chance to break Erik out comes up he jumps at the chance to help. Good performance who basically steals the scenes he is in even though he is only in a few. (9/10)

Patrick Stewart: Profession Xavier the older version of the man who has come up with the plan to send someone back in time to stop what has been happening. Good supporting role as most of the story looks at his older self. (7/10)

Ian McKellen: Magneto like Patrick Stewart this is the older version of the character who has joined forces with his old enemy to stop their demise by the Sentinels. Good supporting role where we finally sees his good side. (7/10)

Director Review: Bryan Singer – Good direction to balance both time eras into one story without confusing and keeping the same level of seriousness and light humour bought into the series by Matthew Vaughn. (8/10)

Action: Great action be it in either time eras that also keep up the dark tone being shown by comic book films. (9/10)

Sci-Fi: The mixing of time eras is well executed and helps the story unfold to the next level. (9/10)

Superhero: Brilliant superhero film that uses many of people’s favourites throughout the film even if it is just a small cameo, blink and you may miss one or two. (10/10)

Settings: Each setting builds the story up, the modern dark destructed cities from the war and the past settings are recreated with good authenticity. (9/10)
Special Effects: Great effects used throughout but there are a couple of clear blue screen back drops involving Mystique. (8/10)

Suggestion: This is one to be watching it is full of action, both dark and easy to watch along with some very good humour moments and nods to previous films. (Watch)

Best Part: Quicksilver during the prison escape.

Worst Part: The obvious time travel issues.

Action Scene Of The Film: The modern time final attack

Funniest Scene: Logan’s first meeting with young Charles.

Kill Of The Film: Most of the modern ones.

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: Yes one is planned.

Post Credits Scene: Yes

Similar Too: Terminator

Oscar Chances: Unlikely

Box Office: $351,386,660 (So Far)

Budget: $200 Million

Runtime: 2 Hours 11 Minutes.

Tagline: His Past, Our Future

Overall: Logan the New Terminator Sent Back to Stop a Future Apocalypse

Rating