I thought it was really good, only second to X2 for my favorite in the series. The performances were all great, and I like how they resolved or connected some of the elements in the universe.
For example how Stryker works for Trask, and learns about mutants from him, and then finds Wolverine in the end. Then I also like how they explain Xavier's depression, and that he's only able to walk through use of that serum (but can't use his powers).
Once again they did an effective job of using them as a backdrop of history, although saying JFK was a mutant was kind of lame.
The future scenes were good for the most part, although initially it was kind of confusing, without explaining what was happening. I much preferred the look of the future sentinels, as they were more like Vindicator from the comics. Also it was kind of lame how Magneto was so easily able to control them in the past. Kind of a cop out really that Trask didn't even consider that.
Loved Quicksilver too, but it was disappointing when they just leave him behind for no particular reason. Hopefully he shows up in future movies, but I could see how too much of him could be a bad thing.
They sort of downplay Wolverine in this movie, which I didn't mind. It's a shame we didn't get to see his real claws, or see him tear up a few sentinels. But at least they explained why he was the one chosen to be sent back.
There are a few problems I have though. There weren't really any major action set pieces. Not like I need that many, but there could have been a mutant battle, or something other than the sentinels decimating the future X-Men. X2 didn't have a ton of action in it either, but the Nightcrawler in the Whitehouse and Wolverine vs. Deathstrike were stellar. Then I also don't like how Jean and Scott just randomly show up at the end. I realize that Wolverine going back "changed" the future, but it was too convenient for me without further explanation.
Overall they did a great job of cramming in so much material into 140 minutes. All the major players got the proper amount of screentime, and fans of any of the characters shouldn't be too disappointed.
Definitely looking forward to Age of Apocalypse, but which cast will they use for future movies? People still love the original cast, but Fassbender, McAvoy, and Lawrence are such huge stars that it's hard to envision them not being used in future movies. I wouldn't mind at all if they were split into two different universes, and that a new movie comes out every year. Heck they could even make movies of "future" X-Men as there is so much territory full of rich characters they could potentially explore.
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