Days of Future Past Worst moments in 'X-men: First Class'

[c-saw]

Its an opinion. Not that hard to process that someone might think differently unless you are mentally challenged.

An opinion? Gee .... I thought it was a fact.

In 'my opinion' this is one of the most ridiculous complaints I've seen so far.

'Why did they make him yell for that long?"

What is he on a rage timer or something like that?

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

The truth is that this movie missed the mark in some aspects.

The closeup to Darwin when Shaw mentions Slavery. I understand that it is a nod to something the xmen represent, being oppressed for being something and it was shaw using that to connect to the young xmen to get to their side. However it was done a bit awkwardly and people didnt really get it. Some people tell me I didnt like how they put a black guy on screen and said slavery. I know thats not what was intended but thats how it seems to come across.

but for sure a problem for me was the fact that talking about things that are in the comic books like the costumes, codenames or even xavier mentioning being bald were like a joke. Just didnt play out well.

 

[kedrell]

Well to be honest, all the X-Men films have been pretty ham-fisted with their message mongering. Singer can't help it, I guess. Subtlety is not his strong suit.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

Well to be honest, all the X-Men films have been pretty ham-fisted with their message mongering. Singer can't help it, I guess.

That is extremely true. This movie has Singer-isms left right and center.

Now that we are on the subject, is there any significance to Shaw being carried out by Magneto in the crucifix position? I mean it could just be a coincidence right?

 

[X-Maniac]

Well to be honest, all the X-Men films have been pretty ham-fisted with their message mongering. Singer can't help it, I guess. Subtlety is not his strong suit.

The films have to rise above being just a comic book adventure.

I didn't leave Thor or Iron Man 2 thinking about the themes and meanings, because there weren't any...

Movies should have something to say.

 

[henzINNIT]

wow. Just when I thought I saw the most ridiculous complaints ... a challenger appears.

You call it out but he has a point. I wasn't feeling for the kid in that moment, I thought it was lame.

 

[c-saw]

You call it out but he has a point. I wasn't feeling for the kid in that moment, I thought it was lame.

Not feeling the kid is one thing but ... 'yelling out for too long'? Really?

 

[kedrell]

The films have to rise above being just a comic book adventure.

I didn't leave Thor or Iron Man 2 thinking about the themes and meanings, because there weren't any...

Movies should have something to say.

I didn't leave any X-Men movie thinking about themes or meanings either. The films were so unsubtle that I just couldn't care. And what's with this rise above just being a comic book adventure stuff? I hate that mentality. Some of the best films ever made are just popcorn movies, IMO. They knew what they were and hit what they aimed for. If a film wants to add subtext then fine, more power to them. But they shouldn't forget that these are just popcorn summer fun films that are here first and foremost to entertain. If they want to get their 'message' in, it has to sorta slip under the radar, not end up like a sledgehammer to the face. This is why I love the LOTR books and movies. They ALLOW you to apply many things about the story's message to come to your own conclusion. It's got a subtlety to it. You can choose to read nothing into it at all and just take it as a fun story if you want. And others do this as well, not just LOTR(that was just the most obvious example for me to use).

A film dealing with deep subjects IMO is not inherently better than a more shallow film. It's only better if it is made/executed better.

Deepness & messages/something to say doesn't = better.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

Not feeling the kid is one thing but ... 'yelling out for too long'? Really?

You may disagree but its not a ridiculous statement as you desperately want others to believe. The yelling went on for too long to the point it made a dramatic trauma scene look pretty silly and laughable. This movie was fine, but it is not free of criticism.

Moving on to more intelligent conversation: I think that this movie has depth indeed as Im curious as to what certain things meant or whatnot. However, the whole X-men is a symbol for slavery, gays, etc. is just overdone at this point. Singer slammed it to death in his movies and we see it here again. I think the Mutant and Proud line was just too blunt and unnessesary not to mention it was said multiple times. Even though the submarine scenes were fantastic, Singers movies and this one(much less though) seriously lack in the adventure aspect of the Xmen. A movie can be deep but also have a thrilling adventure feel at the same time, and they need to switch gears on the next one with a bit more adventure and less blunt social commentary. Xmen have 50+ years of history, Im sure there are other themes that can be used. I will say that at least Im glad we saw a team on team battle (aerial too!) for the first time in this movie.

 

[Blade X]

In no particular order.

1. Darwin's cliche and predictable "kill the black guy" death.

2. Angel being in the movie and going bad.

3. Shaw being a Nazi and some of his powers.

4. Magneto deciding to follow Shaw's path after what Shaw had done to his mother.

5. Azmodel (or however the hell you spell his name) being in the movie.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

You may disagree but its not a ridiculous statement as you desperately want others to believe. The yelling went on for too long to the point it made a dramatic trauma scene look pretty silly and laughable. This movie was fine, but it is not free of criticism.

Moving on to more intelligent conversation: I think that this movie has depth indeed as Im curious as to what certain things meant or whatnot. However, the whole X-men is a symbol for slavery, gays, etc. is just overdone at this point. Singer slammed it to death in his movies and we see it here again. I think the Mutant and Proud line was just too blunt and unnessesary not to mention it was said multiple times. Even though the submarine scenes were fantastic, Singers movies and this one(much less though) seriously lack in the adventure aspect of the Xmen. A movie can be deep but also have a thrilling adventure feel at the same time, and they need to switch gears on the next one with a bit more adventure and less blunt social commentary. Xmen have 50+ years of history, Im sure there are other themes that can be used. I will say that at least Im glad we saw a team on team battle (aerial too!) for the first time in this movie.

So the climaxes of X-Men and X-Men: The Last Stand never happened?

 

[X-Maniac]

I didn't leave any X-Men movie thinking about themes or meanings either. The films were so unsubtle that I just couldn't care. And what's with this rise above just being a comic book adventure stuff? I hate that mentality. Some of the best films ever made are just popcorn movies, IMO. They knew what they were and hit what they aimed for. If a film wants to add subtext then fine, more power to them. But they shouldn't forget that these are just popcorn summer fun films that are here first and foremost to entertain. If they want to get their 'message' in, it has to sorta slip under the radar, not end up like a sledgehammer to the face. This is why I love the LOTR books and movies. They ALLOW you to apply many things about the story's message to come to your own conclusion. It's got a subtlety to it. You can choose to read nothing into it at all and just take it as a fun story if you want. And others do this as well, not just LOTR(that was just the most obvious example for me to use).

A film dealing with deep subjects IMO is not inherently better than a more shallow film. It's only better if it is made/executed better.

Deepness & messages/something to say doesn't = better.

But the X-Men are about the same things in the comics as in the movies. Persecution, alienation, discrimination, tolerance. The comics have all that too with Sentinels, the Mutant Registration Act, Magneto's wartime origins. And also power, control, choice. The comics have that with Phoenix (and Magneto falls into that category too).

All this was the reason the X-Men comics began.

The films have done a good job of showing all that and not forgetting the kick-ass action, in my view. They can't be wall-to-wall noise and action, there has to be a story.

 

[c-saw]

You may disagree but its not a ridiculous statement as you desperately want others to believe. The yelling went on for too long to the point it made a dramatic trauma scene look pretty silly and laughable.

I don't want others to believe anything. At most I'd expect them to analyze this phrase for a second, actually think about it and then laugh at how ridiculous it is.

When a character suffers a heavy emotional trauma and yells in anger that's not supposed to last a few seconds. No sir. He'd yell until physical or mental exhaustion or until someone knocks him out.


What did you expect? Really...

- They're tearing my mother away from me.
- AAAHHHHHH * bends metal gate * AAAhHH

2 seconds later - I'm done, I'm cool


- They just shot my mother
- AAAHHHHHH * sends metal objects flying * AAAhHH

3 seconds later - pfew, that was it. I needed to let that out. I feel better now.


It lasted how much it needed to last since that's not exactly a moment you want to skip over or cut short.

I didn't talk about your other complaints because, even though I disagree with a lot of them, they either make sense or I see where they're coming from. This one on the other hand is completely and utterly stupid.

 

[kedrell]

But the X-Men are about the same things in the comics as in the movies. Persecution, alienation, discrimination, tolerance. The comics have all that too with Sentinels, the Mutant Registration Act, Magneto's wartime origins. And also power, control, choice. The comics have that with Phoenix (and Magneto falls into that category too).

All this was the reason the X-Men comics began.

The films have done a good job of showing all that and not forgetting the kick-ass action, in my view. They can't be wall-to-wall noise and action, there has to be a story.

I realize these themes come from the comics. And I am not saying they should lose them. Nor am I saying it has to be wall-to-wall noise & action. I AM SAYING that it needs to be done in a more subtle way. The X-Men films as a whole have never been subtle and I find it to be one of the biggest weaknesses of the series so far. They shouldn't assume that audiences are stupid and won't get it if they tone down the rhetoric.

 

[BMM]

Save for Bobby's "coming out" scene in X2, and some of the heavy-handedness of First Class, the themes of X-Men have been handled well. Lack of subtlety has never been much of an issue for the X-Men franchise. If anything, one of the consistent criticisms of the films is that they don't push things far enough, be it action or characterization. All this talk of themes and lack of subtlety, and these movies still haven't really shown much in the way of mutant persecution.

 

[ThanosOfTitans]

I realize these themes come from the comics. And I am not saying they should lose them. Nor am I saying it has to be wall-to-wall noise & action. I AM SAYING that it needs to be done in a more subtle way. The X-Men films as a whole have never been subtle and I find it to be one of the biggest weaknesses of the series so far. They shouldn't assume that audiences are stupid and won't get it if they tone down the rhetoric.

Yeah, I agree with this. It would be nice if certain themes were better executed with more tact and sophistication. I found myself cringing every now and then during my viewing of the film...sometimes execution and progression of key themes felt a little cumbersome and forced. (i.e., focusing on the black mutant with the mention of slavery...the audience at my viewing didn't respond well to it)

While new entries to the X-men movie verse are always welcome, I'm hoping the next effort is vastly improved. X2 is still the best X-men movie to date imo.

1) X2
2) X3
3) X-Men First Class
4) X1
.....
10) Origins: Wolverine

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

I don't want others to believe anything. At most I'd expect them to analyze this phrase for a second, actually think about it and then laugh at how ridiculous it is.

When a character suffers a heavy emotional trauma and yells in anger that's not supposed to last a few seconds. No sir. He'd yell until physical or mental exhaustion or until someone knocks him out.


What did you expect? Really...

- They're tearing my mother away from me.
- AAAHHHHHH * bends metal gate * AAAhHH

2 seconds later - I'm done, I'm cool


- They just shot my mother
- AAAHHHHHH * sends metal objects flying * AAAhHH

3 seconds later - pfew, that was it. I needed to let that out. I feel better now.


It lasted how much it needed to last since that's not exactly a moment you want to skip over or cut short.

I didn't talk about your other complaints because, even though I disagree with a lot of them, they either make sense or I see where they're coming from. This one on the other hand is completely and utterly stupid.

Brilliant. Since you felt the need to explain step by step the characters motivations I feel I may be wasting my time. Writting "really?" in mocking fashion yet again would have been a better argument.

You definitely want to cut short the screaming of a character that goes on for so long when it makes a dramatic scene a comedic scene. And thats what it did.

It is not a stupid comment on the movie just because you disagree with it. Lets get that clear. This is a worst moments thread after all, and that definitely was one.

The most powerful scene of the movie. The driving engine. The reason why Magneto becomes a troubled individual is reduced to a very goofy one. I feel Im wasting my time using reason so Ill let someone else do the talking:

Eric tries to obey Shaw while his mother gently urges him on. You know she wanted to go, “I can’t love you anymore if I’m dead, Eric. Save mommy like a good boy or she’ll be very disappointed in you!”
Needless to say, Shaw shoots Eric’s mother … in the face. Ouch. Then Eric goes all Darth-Vader-at-the-end-of-Revenge-of-the-Sith on our asses by destroying the room and even killing the guards by smashing their helmets into their skulls, all while screaming “Neeeeeeeeeeiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnnn!” for like two minutes. Kid has some powerful lungs on him.

http://www.atheistgeeknews.com/review-x-men-first-class-2146.htm

That took me less than 10 seconds to find. Its obvious Im not the only one that thought that was goofy or at least noticed it. Its cool if you like that kind of stuff. To each his own I say.

 

[ThanosOfTitans]

Brilliant. Since you felt the need to explain step by step the characters motivations I feel I may be wasting my time. Writting "really?" in mocking fashion yet again would have been a better argument.

You definitely want to cut short the screaming of a character that goes on for so long when it makes a dramatic scene a comedic scene. And thats what it did.

It is not a stupid comment on the movie just because you disagree with it. Lets get that clear. This is a worst moments thread after all, and that definitely was one.

The most powerful scene of the movie. The driving engine. The reason why Magneto becomes a troubled individual is reduced to a very goofy one. I feel Im wasting my time using reason so Ill let someone else do the talking:



http://www.atheistgeeknews.com/review-x-men-first-class-2146.htm

That took me less than 10 seconds to find. Its obvious Im not the only one that thought that was goofy. Its cool if you like that kind of stuff. To each his own I say.

I'm going to have to second this. While I understand the intent, the scenes involving young Magneto were poorly executed.

I actually felt embarrassed for some reason while watching those scenes. It just felt so very wrong. I love the X-Men, so I can excuse it, but those scenes didn't really do a great job of setting the tone for the film.

 

[8Diagrams(WU)]

So the climaxes of X-Men and X-Men: The Last Stand never happened?

Youre right. Last Stand was as close as that got for sure. Ill give you that. The original Xmen was just individual fights happening separately. Im talking about actual team fights like it happens in the comics.

 

[danoyse]

Brilliant. Since you felt the need to explain step by step the characters motivations I feel I may be wasting my time. Writting "really?" in mocking fashion yet again would have been a better argument.

You definitely want to cut short the screaming of a character that goes on for so long when it makes a dramatic scene a comedic scene. And thats what it did.

I didn't find anything funny about that scene.

How does one expect a child to react to the execution of his mother? A murder that happened because he couldn't do what he was being asked to do to stop it.

 

[Mysteryman]

Brilliant. Since you felt the need to explain step by step the characters motivations I feel I may be wasting my time. Writting "really?" in mocking fashion yet again would have been a better argument.

You definitely want to cut short the screaming of a character that goes on for so long when it makes a dramatic scene a comedic scene. And thats what it did.

It is not a stupid comment on the movie just because you disagree with it. Lets get that clear. This is a worst moments thread after all, and that definitely was one.

The most powerful scene of the movie. The driving engine. The reason why Magneto becomes a troubled individual is reduced to a very goofy one. I feel Im wasting my time using reason so Ill let someone else do the talking:

http://www.atheistgeeknews.com/review-x-men-first-class-2146.htm

That took me less than 10 seconds to find. Its obvious Im not the only one that thought that was goofy or at least noticed it. Its cool if you like that kind of stuff. To each his own I say.

You know ,I really had not consciously thought about this when I watched the movie but maybe this is why I was later thinking I preferred the scene from X-Men(2000) better , it seemed more real somehow.

 

[ThanosOfTitans]

Yoy know ,I really had not consciously thought about this when I watched the movie but maybe this is why I was later thinking I preferred the scene from X-Men(2000) better , it seemed more real somehow.

Yeah, the scene from X1 was directed much better than the scene from XFC. The XFC scene was very campy/comedic. It was difficult for me to identify with young Magneto in XFC...I was too distracted by the prolonged screaming.

 

[X-Maniac]

I saw nothing wrong with that long scream.

Some might not like it, and that's fine, but it certainly wasn't 'comedic'. It was Erik vocalising his anger and power, it matched what he was doing.

Seems a bit fussy to go on about it but this is the nitpick thread, i guess...

 

[danoyse]

I saw nothing wrong with that long scream.

Some might not like it, and that's fine, but it certainly wasn't 'comedic'. It was Erik vocalising his anger and power, it matched what he was doing.

Seems a bit fussy to go on about it but this is the nitpick thread, i guess...

I agree. When I saw the movie the first time, I realized that moment was going to get nitpicked about.

 

[Nell2ThaIzzay]

I had no problem with that scene what so ever. In fact in my first viewing, that scene had my jaw dropped in absolute awe. I think it's a great scene.

Sure, the marching through the camp recreation from X-Men was done better the first time around, but I felt it served it's purpose - to bring us back to that original scene, not draw out the pure emotion of it. The marching scene was done already.

But when Schmidt had Erik and tried to get him to move the coin, I thought that was a brilliantly executed scene.