The X-Men are in trouble (plot wise) as all-adapting robots known as Sentinels have been exterminating mutants and anyone harboring genes even slightly capable of creating future mutants (aka the majority of humanity). A last resort band of mutants including Storm (Halle Berry), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Professor X (Patrick Stewart), Magneto (Ian McKellen), Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) and several others come together in search of a solution; realizing the apocalyptic situation all began back in 1973 when Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) assassinated Sentinel creator Bolivar Trask (Peter Dinklage) and was subsequently captured (thereby providing the genes necessary for making the Sentinels all-adapting). The group decides to use Pryde’s powers to send Wolverine’s mind back to his younger self so as to stop Mystique; informing Wolverine that he’ll need the assistance of younger Professor X and Magneto aka Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) to successfully complete the task…AND SAVE THE WORLD!!!
Not that I wish to start off with a negative criticism (as the film is surprisingly good), but it appears that while Days of Future Past works into the First Class universe, it has many inconsistencies with both the original trilogy and Wolverine spin offs. For example, how is it possible for old Professor X to still be alive!? If I’m not mistaken he got shattered into tiny little pieces by Jean Grey in X-Men: Last Stand. There’s not even an explanation as to why he’s back, it’s simply “Hey I’m still alive!...What, you thought I was dead? Naw, that was only a flesh wound.” And while I know at the very end of Last Stand they briefly hinted at Magneto getting his powers back, in Future Past (which appears to happen not too long after Last Stand) he’s suddenly back to full power with no explanation as to how that happened. I’m just going to assume the First Class series takes place in an alternate universe (similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and their alternate version Quicksilver) away from the original trilogy and The Wolverine (though Logan’s character development still exists from that film)… but enough about the film’s plot holes, how about we get to some of Future Past’s positive aspects!
What I disliked about First Class was just how many exposed idiot moments there were; enough head slapping moments to leave someone with a slight concussion. While there’re STILL idiot moments present in Days of Future Past, they’re much less numerous and more concealed; a lot of which is thanks to the weight placed upon character development and relationship. I don’t believe I even cared much for the relationships between Charles, Mystique or Erik in First Class; yet here I suddenly felt more connected and understanding towards their bonds, a lot of which is due to focus being balanced between plot and characters. First Class had on its plate a large slew of backgrounds and plot developments regarding how the X-Men were formed, along with introducing many different characters, incorporation of multiple historical events and development of multiple character bonds.
The main plot of Future Past is disclosed around the first ten minutes of the film and stays largely the same throughout. There’s more focus on specific characters rather than many (namely Professor X, Magneto, Mystique and Wolverine), some who have already received heavy development in earlier films; allowing even further progression into the various relationships between the main performers while keeping new or lesser-developed cast strictly to cameos or short scenes. I cared a lot more for the twisted friendship between Charles and Erik and the brother/sister bond of Mystique and Charles than I did when watching First Class. They even had time to develop Logan’s relationship with Professor X (both as a teacher and a student) all within the smooth flow of the plot.
Yet the biggest surprise was the (SEMI-SPOILER) twist that JFK was in fact a mutant himself! It’s a shame we don’t get more backstory on that situation because I would love to know more about that subplot! Despite certainly missing out on telling an awesome story, X-Men: Days of Future Past is one of the better films in the X-Men series. While not as stylized as The Wolverine, Future Past has character-driven action, sly humor, balanced character development, and at times dramatic depth both in plot and cast. The film (and its ending in particular) piqued by interest to see a sequel, which is apparently already in production. I can only hope that the next film will keep up the streak of recently enjoyable X-Men films.
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