X-Men: First Class gets a classy and low-key teaser.

In contrast to the pomp and circumstance that made up the first teasers for Thor, Green Lantern, and Captain America, X-Men: First Class comes out looking like... a prestige picture? Well not really, but the mood is low-key and the goal is establishing the tone (somber and fearful) and the time (1960s). There is a distinct lack of razzle-dazzle in Matthew Vaugn's high-toned compositions, and the few 'money shots' (the floating ship at the end, the glimpse of young Nightcrawler) feel integrated into the story. I'd argue that the trailer will likely leave casual fans feeling a bit confused, especially those without a token grasp of world history, but this is obviously a piece for the hardcores, the ones who have already bought their tickets. On the surface, we're basically getting not a rip-roaring action-adventure, but a character-driven drama that doubles as an acting duel between James MacAvoy (young Professor Xavier) and Michael Fassbinder (young Magneto). Despite being an origin story, X-Men: First Class seems to have the most chance of the major comic book adaptations this summer of breaking out of the mold, of telling a genuinely original story within the comic book trappings. This one comes out June 3rd and, as always, we'll see...

Scott Mendelson