About Me
Archive for June 2014
My semester break has ended and, as of now, I'm in my second week of studies. Before the hectic life of assignments start, I'd like to finally end my movie frenzy with one more review. Frankly, the frenzy sort of ended when I started playing Watch Dogs! Hahahah! Okay--I'm getting over excited again. The films I've watched were awesome and I didn't planned to review all of them. The priorities were the movies on 2014's must watch list and with a few titles that taught me so much. I've covered The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Godzilla 2014 (Both of which I watched during the sem break), now it's time to review the main event film of the list.
Relationships
Perhaps, you may have noticed that the poster above isn't in English. Well, I couldn't find an English Poster that really justifies what Days of future Past is all about. It wasn't just about young Charles Xavier and his older self meeting each other. Heck, it wasn't even about Wolverine. It was about the relationships of all characters. Regrettably, I started watching the film from a different point of view; expecting the same exhilarating action analogies that Godzilla gave me. It wasn't until an emotional scene of young Charles with Logan that made me realize my folly. So, from there, I finally enjoyed it with it's offerings. In this installment, Wolverine is finally enjoyable and engaging as I was never fond of his bad ass style from previous films. Anti heroes aren't welcomed as much as justice seeking heroes to me. Days of future past presented Wolverine as an observer; merely watching and guiding as much as he can with the young mutants. He's no longer has that final pun or hit. Young Erik Lehnsherr, whom was my favorite in First Class, was again presented as the violent side of the mutant debate. This time, he was more firm in his beliefs; a lone hunter. It's interesting to see Magneto act alone as he is often portrayed as a boss villain who orders his minions around. Mystique's character centered around the word choice. Although she is seen more violent in this one (As compered to First Class), Raven Darkholme was always put in a situation where she can choose and it played an important part in the final scene. She was in the middle of the debate between Charles and Erik. Finally, my favorite in this installment was Charles Xavier whom was portrayed as a fallen preacher. Again, I've always have a soft spot of this kind of character as I can relate to them more (Haha, perasan!). The professor was emotionally broken after what Erik, Raven and society had done to him. Yes, some say that he chose the right path but yet when you compare him to Erik, you can't help but to understand why people tend to go to the dark side. It seems easier. That's for you to decide.
Mutant and Proud!
Of course, the very substance that kept the story everlasting was the debate of social norms. Again, the scenes of Professor Xavier and Magneto were always critical and emotional. Peter Dinklage as Bolivar Trasks was ingenious. The creator of the mutant hunting Sentinals could easily be portrayed as a one dimensional villain. But giving Peter Dinklage's presence, you can't help but to notice his physical struggle as well. It wasn't as preachy as I've stated it but it was just enough to make you aware. Truly, the actor is breaking the boundaries of acting with his success as a dwarf. Also, I can't help but feel like there's no definitive villain. Finally! This curiosity has been in my mind for awhile. Can you have a good superhero movie if the villains are human as possible? I guess, you can. Yes, Magneto was the villain but I felt for Erik. When he decided to trash the whole city, I face-palmed and said:
"What the hell are you doing, Erik!?"
"Oh my god, you're an asshole!"
Hahaha...I had fun.
Time Travelling
Yes, another genre that's bloody difficult to play around with. Of course, when this film was announced, I can't help but to expect that Days of Future Past would just be a giant reset button. And it was! But in a good way. I didn't realize as I was watching but after reading a few reviews, tons of audience pointed out the continuity issues. What do I think? I'm not bothered by it. However, constructively speaking, such things should have been considered and I'm sure director Bryan Singer put a good thought in it. Also, the scenes of the future seems almost--and I mean ALMOST--boring due to it's role as an exposition of the story. It led to pretty loud and repetitive action with the sentinals. However, the reflection of Michael Fassbender and Ian Mckellen during the action scene was so poetic. All of that violence Erik had done. It took an apocalypse to make him realize his folly.
Verdict
I still regret watching it in a different perspective earlier. If not, I'd probably cry in the theater. Days of future past did not disappoint! If only there's toys for the characters. Why isn't Hasbro or Mattel buying rights from Fox, damn it! I need a Magneto toy! haha! This emotional superhero flick earns a solid 4/5 for justifying that the X-Men are a family of great individuals!
