Review: X-Men: Days of Future Past

One of my most anticipated films for the year, I can't help but feel as though I don't love it as much as I should. I've been thinking about it almost constantly since yesterday. 

This film is a direct sequel to the great X-Men:First Class from 2011, and in a way, X-Men: The Last Stand.  First Class was an origin story of sorts for the main characters of Professor X and Magneto. I remember when first seeing it, I loved it. Subsequent viewings have held up for this movie, and I think it is the best in the franchise (probably coupled with X2). Distinguishing which film is better between those two is a little difficult. Those both offer so much to the franchise, but are quite distinct from each other.

Anyways, back to DOFP. Let's start with story. In the year 2023, after the events of all the current X-Men films, we find that mutants are being exterminated by the Sentinels. The Sentinels were created by Boliver Trask, a man that created a program to help annihilate the Mutant race for the betterment of humanity. The elder X-Men decide that to change this current future, they must change a particular event in the past. The Wolverine is the man tasked with being sent back (his mind is sent back into his 1970's body) to try to affect a change that will hopefully help.

This is where the direct sequel portion to First Class picks up, with The Wolverine interacting with the younger Professor X and Magneto from 1973. This is all about the story I will touch on. 

Bryan Singer (director of X-Men and X2) is back onboard as director here. His appreciation for the world he created is definitely evident. The story is very well fleshed out, taking into consideration the events of First Class and the first 3 X-Men films. His eye for detail in production is excellent, with some exciting action set pieces, stunning cgi and performances from his actors that truly elevate this film from the lesser entries in the X-Men world. You probably pick holes, but you can in most time travel related films anyways.

However, unfortunately, perhaps under a weight of great expectation, I didn't have a feeling of 'I loved it!'. I did enjoy it though, and would say it was very good and of a high standard. My instant feeling upon finishing the film was that I wanted to watch it again. I felt as though there was a lot going on that I didn't soak in. It's because of this I am hesitant of how to rate this movie score wise. At this point I feel it is behind First Class and X2, but only just. I rate both of those at about a 4.5 out of 5. Those ratings have increased over time, and I feel this is natural when rating films. I want to say 3.5 for DOFP, but, I feel that is being too critical when comparing it to my love for the aforementioned. Hell, the fact I want to watch it again is testament to its potential greatness. 

Rating:

4 out of 5.