"X-men First Class" review and illustration by Chris

To get this out of the way, "First Class" makes little effort to be part of the continuity established by the first four X-men movies, but that’s one of its strengths. If you remove "X-men Origins" and "X3" from the timeline (and honestly, who would blame you?) you can maintain some continuity through the series, but it's best just to ignore what you've seen before and enjoy this adventure solo.

This movie is nothing like the comic books either, especially compared to the "X-men: First Class" series. They take character traits, powers and appearance and put them in a timeline that doesn’t exactly make sense. If, like the continuity, you can set that aside and consider this its own universe, you'll see that all the changes have made this a much more accessible film.

The story focuses on the friendship of Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) and Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender). Both desire happiness and acceptance for mutants, but in drastically different forms, and their rivaling opinions drive the story and make it difficult to decide which one is right. Their relationship alone would have been enough to build a solid movie, but side characters like Raven (Jennifer Lawrence) shine on their own as well. Although a childhood friend of Charles, Raven finds a like mind in Erik, who causes her to rethink her beliefs. Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) fills the role of villain almost to the point of overflowing. His plans manipulate humans on the global scale and an ability to absorb energy makes him almost invincible. He's the villain that you love to hate, making him the perfect counterpart for Erik who is struggling to not become a villain himself.

The other mutants are all great additions as well, despite being a little less hashed-out. None of the battles would be as exciting without them, and what battles there are. Whether it's one on one or one versus an army, each fight is brilliantly choreographed and easy to follow. None of the characters are so powerful that the fights are a breeze. Their struggles keep them feeling like, truly, the first class of x-men trying to figure it all out. The power of each character is unique and the visuals are spectacular. Whether it's red energy blasts from Havok or the stunning diamond form of Emma Frost, each has a personal flare that grabs the eye.

"X-men first class" isn't without its flaws. During a few zooms and reveals there is a weird visual warping at the edge of the shot. It's brief and doesn't ruin anything, but it is noticeable and doesn't feel intentional. There are many cameo shots, such as a glimpse at a young Storm and the cameo of Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), that are great for the fans but aren't necessary to the film. They just add to its already extensive length. These moments could have been removed for the sake of time to keep the movie more self-contained.

Despite its inaccuracy and lack of continuity, "X-men First Class" is a grand adventure that you should experience. Anyone who's seen the films or read the comics won't be surprised by the plot twists, but everything is told in a fresh way that makes it worth the time. This is a super super hero movie that sets a high bar.

Four "X genes" out of Five!

Written by Chris
Edited by Aaron

"Kung Fu Panda 2" review by Chris Testa

The original "Kung Fu Panda" introduced us to Po (Jack Black), a martial arts obsessed Panda who wants to kick some butt himself. By the end of that movie he's become a legendary martial arts master, and is loved by all. The only way to make a successful sequel to such a grand movie is to raise the bar on the action and story.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" addresses an unanswered question from the first movie: how can a Panda be the son of a Goose? Po searches for the answer while battling Lord Shen (Gary Oldman), a Peacock who's trying to destroy Kung Fu and rule china. Po's life takes a turn as memories of a dark past creep into his mind. The Furious Five join him on his journey, but aside from Tigress (Angelina Jolie), they are only there to make the action more intense. The story isn't anything special, but it creates a solid framework for the amazing battles and ridiculous humor.

DreamWorks Animation has out done itself with the animation in "Kung Fu Panda 2" and reminds us that DreamWorks isn't just about money popping sequels. They actually care about the final product. The movie starts with an enchanting Chinese shadow puppet show that tells the tale of Lord Shen's past. It adds a historical feel that really draws you into the character’s past. Although the voice actors tell the story, the CG animation gives each character unique personalities. Po displays his childish nature in his unique fighting style, and it becomes clear that he can only become a true master by finding inner peace and controlling his appetite. Po's flashbacks are told with 2D animation that sometimes makes you wish the whole movie was that way.

The battles start early and escalate as the journey continues. The final fight pits Po against a small army, and it shows that he has grown into a true kung fu master. This brings us to the movie’s only major problem: the final shot. When Po's story is concluded, it feels like this would be the perfect moment to say goodbye to the characters. But at the very last second, one shot is thrown in just to hint at the coming sequel. DreamWorks has already mentioned four more movies and a TV series in the works, but "Kung Fu Panda 2" concludes Po's story, and adding a final shot feels like a slap in the face to his entire journey.

"Kung Fu Panda 2" doesn't do anything with story we haven't seen, but the animation and humor make this a unique experience for the whole family. If you enjoyed the first movie or are a fan of martial arts films, this is a must see.

I give it a "Furious Four" out of Five