X - Men: Days of Future Past - Watch it simply for the Special Effects!

X - Men: Days of Future Past - Watch it simply for the Special Effects!

Cast:- Hugh Jackman - Logan/Wolverine, James McAvoy - Charles Xavier, Michael Fassbender - Erik Lehnsherr, Jennifer Lawrence - Raven/Mystique, Haile Berry - Storm, Nicholas Hoult - Hank/Beast, Anna Paquin - Rogue, Ellen Page - Kitty Pryde, Shawn Ashmore - Bobby/Iceman, Omar Shy - Bishop, Evan Peters - Peter/Quicksilver, Josh Helman - Maj Bill Stryker, Daniel Cudmore - Colossus, Bingbing Fan - Blink

& Crew:- Director - Stephen Norrington, S.P - Simon Kinberg, Story - Jane Goldman/Simon Kinberg, D.O.P - Newton Thomas Sigel, Edit - Michael Louis Hill/John Ottman, Music- John Ottman & More than over 100 Visual Effects/ Special Effects

Premise:- Sentinels, robots were  created for the purpose of hunting down mutants in 1973. 50 years later the Sentinels would also hunt humans who aid mutants. Charles Xavier asks Kitty Pryde is the only person who can send a person's consciousness into the past but just a few weeks because beyond that it could harm them. Hugh Jackman (Wolverine) volunteers to go back in time (as he is the only one who can self heal) to stop the Sentinels before they are able to adapt and deal with all mutant abilities. Charles explains that Mystique was responsible because when she learned about the idea of Sentinels she sought out Bolivar Trask the creator and kills him in the past. In the process Mystique is captured and her ability to change is studied somehow added to the Sentinels which enables them to adapt. Logan must go back in time meet the younger Charles and seek his help to stop Mystique but the younger Charles is on drugs at that time and forsakes him powers but is able to walk. Logan's mission is also to find Magneto.

Direction, story & Screenplay: - This film is an almost complete example of the usage of special effects and animation technology in todays films. Secondly for those who have grown up reading Marvel comics it simply brings it alive and in 3D right in front of you! and the atmos sound enhances the visuals to unbelievable heights. The one outstanding scene has to be seen to be believed by using motion capture technology the director has fused two time zones and speeds into one scene! Fantastic this scene alone is worth the 120 buck ticket i spent to watch this film. My advice don't bother about the content or masala which may go above the head of those who are not Marvel comic fans nor super hero stuff. Don't worry for once the special effects will take you on a special roller coaster ride which you will enjoy. I am pasting a link on the making of the scene i am particularly fond of in this film <http://www.fxguide.com/featured/future-threat-x-men-days-of-future-past/>

I am also giving you a link of the animation technique used in my film "THOOVAANAM" in the year 2007 <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8nqzMK5FdNk> however archaic it may appear today just to highlight the fantastic progress made in the field of special effects and animation. Hope you find it interesting!

Acting:- More Charisma than performance! 

D.O.P.:- Good work! But I have seen better work like in the film "The Dark Knight".

Edit:- The transition, effects and cuts done very well indeed! A treat for the students of Viscom.

Stunts: - Standard super hero stuff!

Music:- BG sore blends well with the premise!

TRIVIA:-Two of Peter Maximoff (Quicksilver)'s relations are implied but never outright stated in the film due to copyright issues. He first remarks to Magneto that his mom used to know someone that could manipulate metal - in the comics, Magneto is in fact Quicksilver's father. This is further implied when Peter's Mother sees Magneto on television and reacts with horror and recognition. A deleted scene also addressed that Peter has a sister - Wanda Maximoff, also known as Scarlet Witch.

Including his cameo in X-Men First Class(2011), this will be Hugh Jackman's seventh portrayal of Logan/Wolverine, raising his own record for the most times a comic book character has been played by the same actor in theatrical films. He will also be the only actor to appear in the entire X-Men film series.

According to Peter Dinklage, Bryan Singer picked him to play Boliver Trask because of his height: "With my dwarfism, I'm a bit of a mutant. I can't move metal or anything, but I thought of it as self-loathing. Deep down, Trask is quite sensitive about that aspect of himself."

Halle Berry's role as Storm had to be substantially reduced due to her pregnancy.

A life-size model of a 1973 Sentinel robot was constructed for filming.

Goof ups:-When Magneto levitates RFK Stadium, it seen with a baseball diamond and configuration. In 1973 RFK Stadium was not being used as a baseball venue as the Washington Senators had moved to Texas following the 1971 season.

When they are about to play chess, Charles's King and Queen are on the wrong starting squares.

When they are about to play chess, Charles's King and Queen are on the wrong starting squares.

Finally to sum it all up, a quote:- 

Left right & Centre: - It's a treat for Marvel Comic & Super Hero fans. For the rest it is sheer action packed entertainment!

Bottom Line: - We in India simply do not have the budget to make such films; at least for the present! So let's not end up making fun of ourselves  but stick to pure content which we excel in!

My Rating 2.5 Plus 1 for Sp Effects - Total - 3.5/5

Until next time,

Director Haricharan 

Chennai

18/06/2014