X-Men: First Class
Honestly, I was never a fan of the X-Men movies. Big ensemble cast with A-List characters from the X-Men comics... Besides Prof X and Magneto, you've got Jean Grey, Wolverine, Sabertooth, Cyclops, Storm, Mystique and Rogue. It reminded me of the classic X-Men cartoons. That show was great by the way. But for movies, you need time to develop the characters, which I feel was lacking in the movies. Plus, 2 out of 3 of the original X-Men trilogy were Wolverine-centric. Even "The Last Stand" and "Wolverine Origins" was kind of bad.
"First Class" works because the characters are given enough time to develop and you know the filmmakers have given thoughts to how much screen time is needed for a character. The chemistry between James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, both played by Charles and Erik, is the anchor point of the movie and it feels very different from the original X-Men movies. And watching how the young uncertain mutants mature into their own is definitely a treat.
The movie moves along at a fast pace but it still captures the charm and the essence of it. Never was there a dull moment for me. Thank you Matthew Vaughn and Jane Goldman.
I don't know how America in the 60s' look like but the production design is a visual feast for my eyes. I absolutely loved the color palate they used for different scenes to depict the time period in the 60's. From the warm colour theme used in the beginning for the high-end sleazy bars to the CIA holding rooms, the Sebastian's submarine interiors, Charles' cobblestone and wood mansion... It's so darn good.
Last Words: Best X-Men movie ever.
The Hangover Part II
Stu, Phil and Alan are back. Or better known as "The Wolfpack". And also coming back for the sequel is their friend/enemy, Chow, the crazy naked asian who jumped on them and whacked the shit out of them with a crowbar in the first one.
Basically, Part II is simply a rehash of the same plot-points used in the first film and the real reason why people are still flocking cinemas to watch the sequel is because of the interactions between the 3 leads. Granted, the situations are more outrageous and disgusting, and to add, the films follows the same formula of using the shock values to make audience laugh and groan.
But the dialogue was lacking the snappy sarcasm and funny lines. Come on, "You're literally too stupid to insult." line from Stu and Mike Tyson's cameo are just freaking hilarious. And they're only some of the best things about the first film.
Overall, it could've been better, but I still enjoyed quite a lot it.
Last Words: Stu's songs are what makes these movies good.
