I didn't think James McAvoy would work as Professor X. He plays the young Charles completely differently than I would have expected, and he's helped by the fact that the character has been written to be as glaringly not the same as the Charles from the previous films.
There was never any doubt about Michael Fassbender, though. That guy acted the living crap out of his characters in Inglourious Basterds and Prometheus. I simply expected him to come in and kick butt, and he did not disappoint. In fact, I didn't expect him to physically kick as much butt as he did, but he brought knees and elbows and the occasional punch to the table. The old Magneto would not lower himself to fisticuffs, but young Magneto doesn't shy away from such things.
Some of the characters seem to be a bit overpowered, but they are managed by a balanced enemy. Even though Kevin Bacon seems to have a power that is virtually unstoppable, the good guys have powers that can be used effectively against him - if they work as a team. The end solution for defeating Kevin is a bit of a letdown, as Professor X and Magneto team up in a very unlikely way and the Professor really should have done something differently to have been in line with the character.
Speaking of backstory, the one that we get for Magneto and the Professor really helps out. The dynamic between the characters is spicy, and it makes sense that they have their friendship and opposing viewpoints later in life.
Direction was great
Acting was superb
Effects were great
Story was very good
Dialog was good
4.0/5