X MEN: FIRST CLASS

RYAN: One of my favorite feelings in the world: elation when walking out of the theater after seeing a thoroughly enjoyable movie.

CAROLINE: Surely you’re not talking about the new X-Men movie.

RYAN: I certainly am and don’t call me Shirley.

CAROLINE: You really just went there? [laughs’ Tell me why I should regret missing it.

RYAN: Well for starters, it’s from one of my favorite directors, Matthew Vaughn, who did Kick-Ass last year and Stardust in 2007, one of my favorite films of all time.

CAROLINE: Oh he is a good one.

RYAN: I didn’t really love or particularly hate the previous X-Men films but for some reason this one just hit such a hardcore home run. From the story to the effects, the casting; all of it, everything was great.

CAROLINE: How was James McAvoy?

RYAN: He’s very good. The whole cast is. And it’s so great to see Kevin Bacon back in action.

CAROLINE: There’s also January Jones, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender.

RYAN: All completely fantastic. I normally dislike Jennifer Lawrence but didn’t mind her in this and Fassbender is definitely one to watch. As if out of nowhere, he’s popping up in everything lately. And Rose Byrne seems to be making a very comfortable transition into movies.

CAROLINE: She really is. So this is the prequel to the other X-Men movies.

RYAN: Yes and it’s cool seeing some of them as kids and how the main characters came to be and own their powers. And there are even some very special cameos that I don’t want to ruin for anyone but are really brill.

CAROLINE: That’s exciting. And no 3D for this one?

RYAN: Well it’s a good thing since the effect is underwhelming in most movies. I was glad this one wasn’t there for the two moments you might notice it.

CAROLINE: Yeah I’m pretty over 3D.

RYAN: And it’s long but not a problem.

CAROLINE: That’s rare.

— BOTTOM LINE —

RYAN: It’s a gripping story that in some ways parallels the path of Harry Potter, which is universal love conquering evil and also avenging wrong. I was swept into this film from the first frame and completely enjoyed it. It’s def worth seeing on the big screen asap.

— RATING —