The adventure is made up of two stories, one set in the near past and the other in the near future, featuring the challenged Superheroes which moviegoers have come to know since the first X-Men movie in 2000.
In ‘X-Men – Days of Future Past’ – the seventh in the series - Wolverine, played by Hugh Jackman is sent back in time to change a happening of war from 1973. This is done through a mind meld of sorts, and brings us into Star Trek territory. Interesting, considering Patrick Stewart’s seven years and four movies playing Capt. Picard of Star Trek: The Next Generation’. Stewart had to do some mind melding in his time on his hit tv series.
The Shakespearean actors, Stewart and Ian McKellan, return to their roles of the older Charles Xavier and Magneto
The younger Magneto is played by Michael Fassbender, and the younger Xavier by James McAvoy, as they did in the previous movie, ‘X-Men: First Class’. It’s interesting to watch McKellan/Fassbender and Stewart/McAvoy portraying the same characters at different periods of their lives.
An amazing story of travels, adventure, danger, and special effects ensue with Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) playing a central part. An epic battle to save the future in the past takes place, and the intensity of the storyline and production, makes the movie seem much longer. But that is not a criticism.
The story goes along at a fast pace, with no boredom. If there is any criticism, it is that there is too much going on, and you need a fast paced brain to work it all out. However it’s worth the viewing, once or even twice over.
The sets are massive, especially a scene featuring US President Richard Nixon.
The latest X-Men story is an experience to savour. It’s the best of the series to date, and a rare treat, a special effects sci-fi movie, with an engrossing storyline.
David Flynn
