X-Men: First Class. With Two Degrees of Kevin Bacon

Because this movie stars Kevin Bacon, who I haven't seen in a long time, I will be reviewing this with "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon".

But first, a short review. First Class takes us back to the sixties, when Charles Xavier had a full head of hair. As far as prequels go, this was executed quite nicely. This was directed by Matthew Vaughn, the one who helmed the film Kick-Ass. The film has a certain darkness to it, but not as dark as Batman Begins or The Dark Knight. That's a different kind of dark. Let's just say this one doesn't try to be all comic book-campy like the Spiderman flicks. I didn't even notice Stan Lee anywhere in the film. Either he was well-hidden, or he didn't make a cameo at all. Oh, and I also love how the training montage pays homage to Ang Lee's Hulk. A lot of people didn't like that. I did, though. But I am quite ashamed to admit it.

Now, let's go to Kevin Bacon. If you're unfamiliar with "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon", it's a game that's really fun to play. Basically, you have to connect Kevin Bacon to any other actor by six degrees. It's kind of difficult to explain, but here's how we play it.

"Can we just get this over with?"

So let's pretend that Kevin Bacon DID NOT star in X-Men: First Class. The challenge is to connect any actor in First Class to Kevin Bacon through common films. I can connect them using only two degrees. It goes something like this:

Professor X

James McAvoy

James McAvoy is quite believable as Professor X, despite looking nothing like Patrick Stewart.

• James McAvoy starred in Band of Brothers (2001), produced by Tom Hanks;
• Tom Hanks starred in Apollo 13 (1995) with Kevin Bacon.

Magneto

Michael Fassbender

Michael Fassbender captured the angst, rage, and pure awesomeness of Magneto. He also nailed that part where he went into a state between rage and serenity. Whatever that means.

• Michael Fassbender starred in Band of Brothers (2001), produced by Tom Hanks;
• Tom Hanks starred in Apollo 13 (1995) with Kevin Bacon.

Moira MacTaggert

Rose Byrne

Mmm... Rose Byrne. Rose Byrne is so pretty. Although she kind of looks older than her actual age. But she is still so damn pretty. Mmm... Rose Byrne.

• Rose Byrne starred in Troy (2004) with Brad Pitt;
• Brad Pitt starred in Sleepers (1996) with Kevin Bacon.

Azazel

Jason Flemyng

Jason Flemyng is a really talented actor, but sadly his roles usually require him to don a lot of make-up. And what is he supposed to be in this film? A red Nightcrawler? Oh, wait. Azazel is actually Nightcrawler's biological father. Sorry!

• Jason Flemyng starred in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) with Brad Pitt;
• Brad Pitt starred in Sleepers (1996) with Kevin Bacon.

Emma Frost

January Jones

Yes, Emma Frost is kind of cute. But she doesn't get too much screen time in this movie. I don't think she can act though. May be just another pretty face.

• January Jones starred in Anger Management (2003) with Jack Nicholson;
• Jack Nicholson starred in A Few Good Men (1992) with Kevin Bacon.

Beast

Nicholas Hoult

Who the hell is Nicholas Hoult? And why is Beast's feet like that? That's totally gross. I remember Beast as having normal feet with the dexterity of hands. But in this movie, it's just... it's just totally gross.

• Nicholas Hoult starred in A Single Man (2009) with Colin Firth;
• Colin Firth starred in Where the Truth Lies (2005) with Kevin Bacon.

Mystique

Jennifer Lawrence

She doesn't look as hot here as she did at the last Oscars. Her cheeks here are too big for her face. Yes, she's kind of cute. But her acting was meh. I hope she pulls off Katniss Everdeen well in The Hunger Games next year.

• Jennifer Lawrence stars in House at the End of the Street (2012) with Elisabeth Shue;
• Elisabeth Shue starred in Hollow Man (2000) with Kevin Bacon.

Havok

Lucas Till

What's so special about Lucas Till again? I thought he was that guy in Eragon. Oh well.

• Lucas Till starred in Blue Mountain State (2010) with Denise Richards;
• Denise Richards starred in Wild Things (1998) with Kevin Bacon.

Banshee

Caleb Landry Jones

What's so special about Caleb Landry Jones again? I thought he was that guy who played Ron Weasley in Harry Potter. Oh well.

• Caleb Landry Jones starred in No Country For Old Men (2007) with Tommy Lee Jones; 
• Tommy Lee Jones starred in JFK (1991) with Kevin Bacon.

Angel

Zoë Kravitz

She's Lenny Kravitz's daughter. She's cute. But she looks hideous when spitting those fireballs. And also, why on earth would you name someone with insect wings "Angel"? Aren't angels supposed to have feathered wings?

• Zoë Kravitz starred in Beware the Gonzo (2010) with Danny Mastrogiorgio;
• Danny Mastrogiorgio starred in Sleepers (1996) with Kevin Bacon.

This is getting tiring. I'll do one last.

The Director

Matthew Vaughn

I salute you, good sir, for your filmmaking skills. You know how to pace your action. However, your stunts could use some work, because some wire stunts look really fake.

• Matthew Vaughn directed Stardust (2007), which also starred Robert De Niro;
• Robert De Niro starred in Sleepers (1996) with Kevin Bacon.

That's it. I'm done. The fact that Kevin Bacon was in this movie puts everyone on the list within one degree from him. No challenge there. If you want to try and connect other celebrities, just ask The Oracle of Bacon.


X-Men: First Class. USA. 2011.


Rating: Seven and a half out of ten.
Rose Byrne's mere presence: Seven out of ten.



*some info from IMDb, and Wikipedia
pics from IMDb, Coventry Telegraph, The Wrap, and YouTube



You may also want to read other X-Men reviews such as X-Men Origins: Wolverine.