Bryan Singer should have never left the X-men franchise. Not only did it quickly spiral downhill after he left, but Singer went on to set back any attempts at re-launching a Superman franchise with a movie that was less than super was. So, two franchises suffered because of that choice. Well, the good news is not only Bryan Singer back directing X-men, but X-Men Days of Future Past is easily the best movie in the franchise. It not only tells a compelling story, it has some great character moments, and includes the cast of the original trilogy together with the cast from First Class. It also – thanks to that magical element that fixes everything known as time travel – fixes some of the mistakes of the past films while providing a clean(er) slate for the franchise going forward. That’s a lot to accomplish in one movie, and Days of Future Past does it with aplomb.

While it’s very cool to see the likes of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen and others from the original cast return to the big screen (along with some very cool cameos from the original films), it’s the cast from First Class that gets the most screen time, which is fine because they’re more than capable of carrying the film. The interaction between James McAvoy’s young Professor X and Michael Fassbender’s young Magneto is riveting to watch, while Jennifer Lawrence’s Mystique adds some unique elements of unpredictability (just whose side is she on?) to the proceedings. Moreover, while there are plenty of newcomers to the mutant ranks in this film, it’s Quicksilver that steals the show. It’s somewhat ironic, really, considering the fervor over his look. Fans weren’t fans of his outfit, but he’s undoubtedly one of the best parts of the movie regardless of whether you like his appearance or not. And of course, Hugh Jackman is Wolverine, and this is probably one of his best movies to date.

As is often the case with X-men stories, there’s plenty going on in the subtext as well. One of the more fascinating moments, especially in light of some of the territory that Amazing Spider-Man 2 explored earlier this year, was when Professor X had to face the thing that was holding him back; fear of pain. Not just fear of his pain but fear of the pain of others. His great powers allow him to experience that pain in a way few others can, and that was a burden he wasn’t sure he wanted to bear. However, he came to learn that it’s that very ability, the ability to experience that pain and to experience it without breaking, that can fuel his power to previously unexplored levels. In fact, in order to save others, he needed to be willing to bear that pain. It was a poignant moment that got me thinking of one of the greatest heroic acts in all of history. Jesus Christ bore the pain of others, the pain of the entire world really, when he died on the cross. All our sin, all our punishment; he bore it all for us in order that he might save us. However, it was more than that, for by saving us from our own pain and punishment for our sins, he freed us and empowered us to not only overcome the pain of our own lives but to help others find freedom as well. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ is The Heroic Act that has continued to resonate throughout all of history; and it’s still making a difference today.

X-Men-Days-of-Future-Past--640x323The difference in X-Men Days of Future Past, however, is definitely the writing.

Despite being a complicated time-travel plot, things are kept clear and concise throughout. There’s nary a bit of confusion over what’s happening or why. More than that, however, the script makes room for some wonderful character moments, filled with smart and often funny dialogue. All of that is balanced with fantastic action sequences and it’s all painted against a backdrop of the colorful seventies. To top it all off, the film is loaded with quick cameos and fun references for die-hard fans. Days of Future Past is the high water mark for the X-men franchise in just about every conceivable way, and interestingly enough, announces to Disney that they don’t necessarily have the corner on the market when it comes to great Marvel movies.