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Thursday, April 18, 2024
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HOLLYWOOD X-MEN: FIRST CLASS
EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: ***1/2
Americans, in the absence of their own ancient mythology unlike the Indians,
Chinese or Europeans, have developed a national mythology of a different kind
where instead of gods and goddesses, they have their Anakin Skywalker, Darth
Vader and Superman. X-Men - First Class, with its near perfect
script, apt direction and some breathtaking visual effects, firmly enforces
another mythological universe to this - those of the mutants.
Much before Professor X (James McAvoy) and Magneto (Michael Fassbender) fought
at the opposite end of the fragile war and peace with inferior humans, they were
best of friends, fighting for the good of humanity and mutants alike, in a world
that did not know mutants existed.
When a powerful mutant threatens the world, the two working together develop a
difference of perspective that will pit them against each other.
The film`s focus is on Erik Lensherr or Magneto, beginning with the same scene
that the first X-Men opened to in a concentration camp. It moves
through his hatred of the man that killed his father.
The character of Charles, almost Gandhi-like with his infinite love and belief
in humanity, takes second fiddle. And that`s all right. After all hatred makes
for a better subject than love especially in a film with dark undertones like
X-Men.
Director Matthew Vaughn and his writers do an apt job in articulating the mutant
universe, their fear and their need to belong. The metaphor is the insecurity of
every geek or everyone different desperately trying to belong in a world hostile
to them.
While Professor X chooses the path of love, Magneto chooses that of hatred, thus
pitting them against each other in an eternal war.
The film thus navigates the many shades between black and white expertly,
reaching in the end a point where both Magneto and Professor X, though being at
the same end of spectrum with similar intentions, are nonetheless divided by the
choices they make.
It is just like the rest of us find ourselves in life and the position we take
and follow, which ultimately define us.
Magneto is also a perfect choice, and the good writing ensures that in the end
he is made a tragic hero, on the lines of Prometheus of Greek mythology with the
same angst, love and rebelliousness.
The main drawback of the film is that it is a little awkward and caricatures
many situations in an attempt to be true to the other X-Men films.
It also draws heavily from Zack Snyder`s underrated masterpiece
Watchmen and though it refuses to go dense into the human, and
mutant condition, it is a commendable effort.
Though the audience can predict the end, aware as they are of the other
X-Men movies, yet a good scriptwriting (consider handling so many
characters and infusing life in them through good characterising) ensures that
the entertainment and novelty values are not lost.
The casting is also almost spotless and all the actors revel in bringing out the
angst and sublimity of their emotions.
X-Men: First Class in the scope of its story and its deft handling
thus not just becomes the confirmation of a well-established franchise but the
birth of a new one as well. Same when you consider an American mythology.
