Jackass

Kinda old, and I've already mentioned it on a few other portals, but it seems that the discussion about Ryan Dunn's death is still dividing opinions everywhere. Personally, I have very little time and sympathy for anyone who is speeding while drunk, and has a passenger as well. Twice the legal limit, is what has been reported.

Yeah, I cannot stand anyone who drinks and drives. You do that, and you get hurt, you deserve every little cut and scratch and bruise and broken bone and shattered spine you get and more.

Jackass.

X-Men: First Class - Spoiler-Free Review

"I am going to watch this again."

Up until a few hours ago, only 300, The Dark Knight, Avatar and Inception have impressed me enough for that line to be uttered less than midway through a movie. Right now though, a fifth film has made its way into that list, and it is a first class one.

See what I did there? Ha!

My expectations for this film were absurdly high. That, of course, is a dangerous game to play with Marvel films. Look at the spectrum of movies that have been churned out. Two solid Iron Man films, an electric Thor, and incredible Hulk, the dull Blade, the less-than-Fantastic Four, to name a few. Don't even get me started on Spiderman 3. Of course, the X-Men franchise itself is something of an enigma. A good opening act, an amazing second, and a very disappointing third. This one, like the upcoming Spiderman film, is a reboot-cum-prequel, of course. The trailers - and thus the hype - for the latest Marvel offering have been buzzing around online for ages, with teasing spots and dramatic poses aplenty. And the end product does not disappoint.

An appreciative and informed audience at The Cathay made the experience that much more enjoyable, with gasps and applause and more than one "Ooohh..." at the right moments. There are more than a handful of such instances scattered throughout the film that will give the attentive fan an absolute geek-gasm. No spoilers, as promised, but "Fuck off!" garnered an immense response. Also keep your eyes and ears peeled for mentions and hints of many characters and events not alluded to in the trailers released.

Story-wise, this prequel traces the origins of the older members of the X-Men, as some might call the "Blue Team", though I believe that term isn't accurate in this film - not that it's specifically used, but the jumpsuits are pretty spiffy. Charles Xavier and Erik Lehnsherr are the main characters, of course, and the movie guides you through their transformation from adolescents to the icons we know and love. Alongside them are many recognizable members of the X-Men (and Brotherhood...) and other associated Marvel characters.

Before I go any further, I will addess the issue that some others have or will point out. Some of the characters are not entirely true to the comics (in various ways) and while it is a minor annoyance, I guess some of the changes were necessary. Not all of them though, which does annoy me.

I'd say the action sequences are quite spectacular. Not the Michael Bay formula of explosion and slow-motion women - though there are booms and boobs - but most, if not all of the fights play out fantastically well. Fans will remember the awesome opening of X-Men 2, and they will be rewarded with similar sequences here. Also always nice, of course, to see how each character uses their powers in their own unique way. Always a plus.

Not much more I can say except that if you're a fan of Marvel at all, this is definitely a must-watch. Then again, I caught it with a non-fan and she's alright with catching it again as well. Like I will do.

Best movie of the year so far? Quite possibly. Best Marvel movie ever? Quite possibly.

P.S. No after-credits scene, which actually pissed me off. I had my guess as to what it could/would be, but alas!