Apocalypse James McAvoy is Professor Charles Xavier!

[Star Traveller]

I read one review saying actually everybody are phoning in, and he used surprisingly for James. But alas, that one is just some nonsense.

James's performance in this movie is very good, Charles in this movie is charming, funny, caring and brave. I love this Charles so much I want to fight for him and I want to hug him. And he is drop dead gorgeous in this one
Critics tend to leave him out of review maybe because other people has more interesting arc or more/less desired performance to praise/attack, plus they probably just assume that he would be great as usual so no need to bring him up.

I just saw the film yesterday and do not understand the very bad reviews (of course, some things could have been made better and perhaps this is not the very best X-men film, but, imho, they have done well with keeping a balance between old stuff and introducing new characters).

With regard to McAvoy/Xavier I can only underline the above quote, he portrays Charles as a really sweet and gentle character (or as described by you above), but also very firm in his beliefs/ideals (the right mixture). I found his scenes very enjoyable and the film in general as well. And, yes, he is (as always, this is in the eye of the beholder ).

I would really like to comment on more stuff (pros and cons), but will rather do so in another thread.

Btw: I saw the film with a friend who almost does not know anything of the X-men films, but enjoyed the film, too.

 

[yaellen]

Btw: I saw the film with a friend who almost does not know anything of the X-men films, but enjoyed the film, too.

Me too, my friend has never watched a single X-men movie (oops my bad, she watched DP with me), but she thoroughly enjoys this movie.

 

[Loganbabe]

James was fantastic. I enjoyed the film a lot - it's not my favorite, but still enjoyed it - and he was the highlight for me. Maybe one day critics will start paying attention to his always flawless performances...

 

[Herolee10]

I really hope that this is the case where I need to see it in order to see the film in a different, but from everything that I've heard, it seems like Charles's significance is thrown out the window in favor of Mystique and Jean.

 

[yaellen]

I really hope that this is the case where I need to see it in order to see the film in a different, but from everything that I've heard, it seems like Charles's significance is thrown out the window in favor of Mystique and Jean.

Mystique is not so central a part as the marketing suggested, Jean's importance is understandable

Spoiler

for her you know what ability

. But as the critics goes, they seldom pay attention to more subtle parts. Just watch it and form your own idea.

This movie is more or less an origin movie to X-men the core team so all "old" characters are not the main focus (except Magneto with a not well written but nicely performed back story). It is truly an ensemble cast movie.

 

[EnDz0n3]

McAvoy on Live with Kelly:

[YT]fE_mL1iOI4Q[/YT]

 

[yaellen]

McAvoy on Live with Kelly:

[YT]fE_mL1iOI4Q[/YT]

A better link:
[YT]oKpP2WKMGbc[/YT]

 

[Weather Witch]

Charles also had one of my favorite scenes in the movie.

Spoiler

"Thank you for letting me in. You want what I have? You want to feel what I feel? Welcome to my world. You're in my house now." The last part especially with the special effects as well. Amazing.

 

[kevork89]

Really great interview.

 

[yaellen]

James attending WSJ Cafe. This is also a great interview reflecting his thoughts on many topics.
http://www.wsj.com/video/x-men-apocalypse-star-james-mcavoy/61650198-EAD6-4E64-9CE6-C4EC07ACBA40.html

 

[Tg11]

McAvoy is just perfect as Xavier especially loved it when his hair came off...Xavier should always be bald

 

[The Caped Knight]

I was very impressed to see McAvoy really become the bald Prof X. his mental fight with Apocalypse was awesome. I enjoyed the ending between Charles and Erik when they reenact the dialogue of X2 that Stewart & McKellen discuss in the plastic prison. The baton has officially been past and you can see that they've come full circle as Professor Xavier & Magneto since first class.

 

[The Guard]

If James McAvoy could just never leave this franchise, that would be great.

Loved his performance in this movie. He played his moments of compassion and emotional vulnerability perfectly. The first scene with Jean was very well done. Just an all around fantastic performance. I loved that the meat of his character arc was about Charles not wallowing in pain but seeking redemption, not only for himself, but for others, and righting past wrongs. Hope indeed. I loved his final lines to Apocalypse.

 

[LostSon88]

This was his most Patrick Stewart-y version of Professor X.

He was great.

 

[webhead731]

When he was flirting/stumbling over his words with Moira when they meet again, I kept imagining Patrick Stewart doing the same scene saying the same things and it was killing me lol.

 

[kevork89]

The moment I felt really woah and I thought I was watching Patrick Stewart on screen was when

Spoiler

He was telling Jean to let go. Just the way he said it the way he shouted sounded exactly like Patrick.

 

[Flint Marko]

I said this before, but I think it bears repeating: McAvoy should go down as one of the all-time great casting decisions alongside Jackman, RDJ, and Christopher Reeve. Obviously I love Fasbender as well, the guy gives it his all in every role, but McAvoy doesn't get anywhere near the amount of praise he deserves. He has such an effortless charm, and it's been a joy to watch him evolve over these three movies. There were numerous moments in Apocalypse where I was convinced I was looking at a younger Patrick Stewart. Here's to hoping he sticks around to lead this new team.

 

[Sithborg]

And he clearly loves the character, as he was pretty excited to get his head shaved. I do love that he was on video chat with Patrick Stewart when he did it.

 

[Flint Marko]

And he clearly loves the character, as he was pretty excited to get his head shaved. I do love that he was on video chat with Patrick Stewart when he did it.

That's awesome, I didn't know that. Makes me love him even more.

 

[The Guard]

The moment I felt really woah and I thought I was watching Patrick Stewart on screen was when

Spoiler

He was telling Jean to let go. Just the way he said it the way he shouted sounded exactly like Patrick.

That's no accident. He's talked about studying Stewart's speech patterns and mannerisms.

 

[JP]

Give me 6 more movies with McAvoy, please.

 

[Loganbabe]

I said this before, but I think it bears repeating: McAvoy should go down as one of the all-time great casting decisions alongside Jackman, RDJ, and Christopher Reeve. Obviously I love Fasbender as well, the guy gives it his all in every role, but McAvoy doesn't get anywhere near the amount of praise he deserves. He has such an effortless charm, and it's been a joy to watch him evolve over these three movies. There were numerous moments in Apocalypse where I was convinced I was looking at a younger Patrick Stewart. Here's to hoping he sticks around to lead this new team.

Couldn't agree more, especially with the part in bold. I do believe that critics take him for granted because he makes acting such an effortless task. Of course there's a lot of technique behind it - the guy is a classically trained actor - but James is one of those people who was born an actor. He has such pleasure in telling stories (just see ONE of his interviews - even when talking about silly things like his wardrobe in XMA, he has such artistic flair and fun) and his charm is so natural, as is his sincerity. I just love to see him acting as much as I love seeing him talking - about anything, like a host from a talk show said.

At this point I'm convinced he'll never get the recognition he deserves for X-Men, but then that can be said about his career in general. I guess most people don't know that he can go from a faun in Narnia to a violent, drugged cop in Filth - maybe they don't notice it's the same actor. Because he doesn't have a "type", he isn't easily recognized. His versatility, ironically, maybe works against him.

I loved all the Charles Xavier scenes in XMA, and just wanted more. From being an enamoured puppy when he sees Moira to his fight with Apocalypse, it was a pleasure to watch. All hail Professor. t:

 

[kevork89]

James is probably my favourite actor out there. He's just so damn talented and brings something amazing and unique to each role. I love him as Charles I don't ever want to see him leave hahaha. He's brilliant and his emotional scenes are always so captivating. The bit where he says Raven as she's being choked by Apocalypse is amazing. But I mean nothing gets me emotional like DoFP when he is crying to his older self. And when he's trying to convince Raven to come home in cerebro.

He's so talented and holds this series up.

 

[marvelrobbins]

Mcavoy Is probally the FC star who is the most likely to return.and to be frank he is only one needed.

 

[dontpanic42]

I said this before, but I think it bears repeating: McAvoy should go down as one of the all-time great casting decisions alongside Jackman, RDJ, and Christopher Reeve. Obviously I love Fasbender as well, the guy gives it his all in every role, but McAvoy doesn't get anywhere near the amount of praise he deserves. He has such an effortless charm, and it's been a joy to watch him evolve over these three movies. There were numerous moments in Apocalypse where I was convinced I was looking at a younger Patrick Stewart. Here's to hoping he sticks around to lead this new team.

I couldn't have said this any better. James was amazing in the film.