The Problem...or Problems with X-Men: Days of Future Past

Allow me to set the scene. It was the year 2000. Vladimir Putin was just elected President of Russia, Elian Gonzalez was returned to Cuba, and we were treated to Bryan Singer's first X-Men movie. It's undeniable that the first X-Men film was a success, critically and financially, and ushered in a new wave of Superhero films we are still riding today. Eleven years and two sequels later, the franchise was in need of a revival. Enter Matthew Vaughn's X-Men: First Class which served as a semi-sequel/semi-reboot; going back to tell the story of Professor X and Magneto's first meeting.




Now, here's where this post will lose most people...I hated the first three X-Men films. Yes, that includes both of Bryan Singer's undertakings. I felt that the character development was virtually non-existent which left me not caring, at best, and usually outright hating these characters. Their decision to use Wolverine as the centerpiece for the trilogy was a wasted opportunity to give us a Hogwarts-meets-mutants experience. Instead, we spent three movies with Logan, who is STILL a very unlikable character. And don't even get me started on the possibilities that could have been had with the Phoenix story-line had they just taken some more time with it!

So when I watched First Class, needless to say I was refreshed! An X-Men with no Wolverine. A deeper look at Magneto's motivations and Xavier's attempts to save him. And a surprise bad-ass villain by Kevin Bacon! Not to mention a rag-tag group of young mutants learning about their powers and how best to use them. It was really a great film!

Logically then, when I heard the sequel was green lit, I readied my popcorn in anticipation...until I heard what it was going to be about. Apparently, X-Men: Days of Future Past serves as a sequel to First Class AND X-Men 3: The Last Stand. As such, it will be bringing all of the major players from First Class AS WELL as those from the original trilogy including Patrick Stuart, Ian Mckellen, Anna Paquin, Ellen Page, Shawn Ashmore, Halle Barry and yes, Hugh Jackman as Wolverine. If that list seemed really long, double it (taking into account the First Class alumni) and that's your cast for Days of Future Past. A little crowded, no?

Now, proponents of the film will tell you that Bryan Singer (who is back to direct) has a master plan to use this film to tie together the previous three films and First Class into a coherent timeline. I'm not sold on that just yet. But even if he does, I don't want that! I want to live in a world where those three movies didn't exist. I want to go forward with the First Class story and explore NEW territory instead of retreading the very flawed past. And for God's sake, I want to live in a world where X-Men doesn't mean Wolverine.