X-Men: First Class (12A) *****

X-Men: First Class (12A) *****

Dir: Matthew Vaughn.

Starring: Michael Fassbender, James McAvoy, Jennifer Lawrence, Kevin Bacon.

The latest addition to the X-Men franchise - arguably the most successful of the Marvel adaptations - is clearly influenced by both the Origins style, as well as the original three films.

Set in the troubled Cold War era, First Class see's the rise and rise of Charles Xavier (McAvoy) and Magneto (Fassbender) as they come to terms with the emergence of mutants to the world, and fight Sebastian Shaw's (Bacon) efforts to start a nuclear war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The film brings together a series of wonderfully poignant story lines, from Magneto's mission of revenge against the people who tortured him during the holocaust, to the battles of Mystique (Lawrence) and Beast (Nicholas Hoult) to gain acceptance, both from humanity and, perhaps more importantly, themselves.

Happily, Marvel have carried on their streak of brilliant special effects (Thor's dodgy 3D not withstanding), with the brilliant prosthetics and make up for Lawrence's Mystique (and the appearance of young Mystique at the start of the film) to the CG of the most iconic scene of the film, with Magneto lifting a nuclear submarine out of the sea.

McAvoy and Fassbender's portrayal of Prof X and Magneto are both brilliant, showing the development of the depth of their relationship over such a short time through some very touching scenes, with the pairs' respect for each other felt throughout the franchise.

The second of the years' three Marvel films, and the 5th of the X-Men mini-franchise, I was so impressed by all of the levels and aspects this film brings together which make it a thoroughly enjoyable watch.