This is easily my favorite so far. *X-Men: First Class* proved to be a genuinely enjoyable experience; I was entertained from beginning to end, and nothing really detracted from that enjoyment, with the music and performances being especially noteworthy. While it does feel like the initial portion is more compelling than the conclusion, everything remains quite pleasant to watch. James McAvoy delivers a strong performance as Charles Xavier, and Michael Fassbender is fantastic portraying Erik Lehnsherr. I also appreciated seeing Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, and Kevin Bacon on screen. The score deserves recognition too; at times it evoked comparisons to the remarkable theme music from the television series *The Crown*. I had noticed a downward trend in the previous four installments, but this film thankfully gets the franchise back on track—and surpasses expectations. I’m curious to see what comes next. Next up: *The Wolverine*! *viewing in release order*

Source on TMDB