2011 Rewind: X-Men: First Class


It's hard to believe, but 2011 was 15 years ago. Over the next few weeks I'm going to be looking at some stand out films from 2011 that are turning 15 in 2026. Today, it's the best of the X-Men.

Professor Charles Xavier: Listen to me very carefully, my friend: killing Shaw will not bring you peace.
Erik Lehnsherr: Peace was never an option.

X-Men: First Class
Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kevin Bacon
Director: Matthew Vaughn
About: I have been a fan of the X-Men since I was a boy. It started with the animated series, but I was there opening day in 2000 when the first live-action film debuted. Eleven years later, we got a prequel. It's also the best of the X-Men films, and one of my favorite films of all time. It is an origin story, yes, but it's squarely focused on Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr, and their unlikely and powerful friendship. It's those ideas and the back-and-forth between McAvoy and Fassbender that I love the most. This is, simply put, a brilliant film. As it celebrates 15 years, I encourage you to dive back in and appreciate that brilliance.

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