X-Men: Days of Future Past Blu-ray Review

• 9th Nov 2014

Bryan Singer makes a return to the X-men universe and this time brings the franchise full circle in this seventh film so far. Both original cast of characters and their younger versions are brought together in a narrative that takes Logan (Hugh Jackman) back in time from an apocalyptic future into the body of his younger self in the early 70s in order to prevent an incident that will bring about the end of mankind.

To do this he needs to convince a disillusioned Charles Xavier (James McEvoy) to team up with former best friend Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender) in order to stop their other close acquaintance Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) from committing an act that will have serious consequences for them all.

It’s great to see Fox putting some stock back in the original cast members who have been absent from the screen since 2006’s The Last Stand. Although some get bigger roles than others – it’s great to see the likes of Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore and Ellen Page get a chance to shine on the screen once more.

The majority of the time and focus though is spent in the past. From that cast we mainly get time with Charles, Erik and Raven as logon does what he can. But there is also a nice role for Nicholas Hoult’s Beast and a new role for character Quicksilver who steals one of the films best set pieces with his fast speed.

The period setting and plot is a mix of hilarious call back to fashions along with questionable technology available at the time (The Sentinels for example are the most unlikely advancement).

7 films in now and there is barely any coherence left thanks to some lazy reimagining, careless plotting and character development. But this matters not anymore as audiences seem apt at accepting these alterations as the films come along. Singer has done a job here of potentially offering audiences the option of erasing certain content from memory altogether.

What does matter is that the cast sparkle on screen, the story is involving and it all culminates in one of the most satisfying endings to any blockbuster film this year. Simon Kinberg’s script plays to the dramatic strengths of all characters involved.

Although there will be a release next year which will house the extended cut of the film you’d can expect that there will be some fairly substantial extras for that release.  We suspect commentary and feature length documentary.

For this release there is still a fair amount of extras along with the theatrical edition of the film – largely made up of short featurettes – but mainly covering all bases from the old/new cast coming together to certain effects sequences, the sentinels.

There are also a few deleted scenes that come with optional commentary from the director, and a 5 minute gag reel which is the usual actors mugging between takes. There are also a few galleries (The Autopsy photos make for an interesting addition!) as well as the theatrical trailers.

Seven films in and the franchise has never been at a greater height before.

 

 

Steven Hurst