X-men: First Class thinky thoughs and Charles art

[loobee]

So saw it the other night.... *SPOILERS*

And, thought it was brilliant. Like everyone I’m enamoured of Charles and Erik’s portrayals. Both James McAvoy and Micheal Fassbender excel as Charles and Erik respectively. The first making Charles a cheery good hearted man (prone to a bit of partying) put into a position where he has to learn to lead and show the way whilst Fassbender's Erik is a bristling presence of anger, power and determination. There was such trust and tenderness flowing between the two of them, their friendship was so effective that you really do feel bad for both of them when they part ways.

In fact, Erik's distrust of humanity is served well and it's almost his film in this respect as he struggles to be the man Charles believes he can be, before being the man (villain of the piece) Sebastian Shaw has made him. A line of his late in the film is particularly telling "I've been at the mercy of good men under orders before. Never again".

Like the other X films there were maybe too many characters. I would have loved for the First Class to have more character development time, it was a bit disappointing we didn't get to know them as well as we should. Esspecially as characters like Havok and Banshee are quiet the old timers of the comics compared to Angel and Darwin.

On the other hand, I'm glad that Mystique and Hank got quite a bit of screentime. It's their relationship and interactions with the lead pair that helps illustrate how people end up on either side of the equation. Just realised that Beast was played by Skins' Nicholas Hoult, no wonder I kept thinking I recognised him, doh!

I think the main failures, if I have to think of failures, were the villains - Emma Frost was damp and poorly acted, she lacked The White Queens of the comics biting wit and sarcasm, while Kevin Bacon just didn't pop for the big bad and made a very unconvincing Shaw. It just felt to me he was playing Kevin Bacon. Most of the baddies were just relegated to henchman, but then so were Sabretooth, Toad and Juggernaut, so it again doesn't bother me too much.

I’m not sure you can call it a true prequel to the other X films, because of some continuity gafs. Beast building Cerebro, when Charles said Erik helped him build it in X1 And Charles being seen to walk when they talk to Jean Greys parents. Speaking of which, I was surprised that that was included so early in this film. I was convinced that the filmmakers would save that, and Charles being confined to his wheelchair, for a future installments. I really thought Magneto would relent at the last moment and send the missiles out to sea where they couldn't do any damage. But it was such a lovingly realised film, from the wonderful 60’s vibe, to the bromance itself ♥

Any fic recs? I’m off to trawl for Michael Fassbender and McCavoy pictures so I can get the hang of drawing them :P If anyone has pics, don’t hesitate to share them.

I did have go at drawing Charles.

Preview:



This was a sketch to try and get the nuances of McAvoy’s face down. I always try to do semi realistic art until I get the hang of it, then simplify it to my normal style. Well I hope I can as I do get frustrated at my style being sort of realistic in a way, because it’s SO unforgiving if I don’t get the features right. I find it really hard to draw quickly because of that *sobs* Thought it would be cool to finish this sketch in a 60’s style pop art feel. Next, I hope I can do a Magneto to match, and then hopefully a proper scene with them both in it. I just hope I can get back to drawing Arthur and Eames again as I’m worried I’ll not post art to the R/A fest ;_;

Ohh, so much boring art talk XD

Comments

[cathalin.livejournal.com]

Oh, WOW.

I'm just in love with your art. This Charles is amazing! <333