X-MEN: FIRST CLASS (Rated PG-13)

That the original “Star Wars,” released in 1977, was one of the best action adventure movies of all time is nearly indisputable. The prequels that came later, well not so much.

“The Phantom Menace” and “Attack of the Clones” are, to be charitable, forgettable. Few would even likely recall the name of the actor who played Anakin Skywalker before he became Darth Vader.

Why do I bring this up, you ask? Simply to illustrate that prequels are often inferior to the real thing. Yet, “X-Men: First Class” stands, on its merits, as a forceful argument to the contrary.

Without any doubt, “X-Men: First Class” is so far superior as a prequel to the “X-Men” franchise that I would only consider viewing the sequels once again out of a vague sense of curiosity.

For a comic book series that had become increasingly tedious, “X-Men: First Class” is a refreshing boost of adrenaline, injecting much needed vitality into a bland exercise of superpower heroics.

I only fear that the brilliance of this newest “X-Men” may be wasted on a younger generation largely ignorant of Cold War history and the frightening relevance of the Cuban Missile Crisis.

It’s possible to imagine that some of the dolts walking among us may come to think that nuclear Armageddon was averted solely due to the manipulations of the mutants with superpowers.

For those who know history, you may have figured that the setting of “X-Men: First Class” is circa 1962, when tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union are at a fever pitch.

A brief prelude set during World War II introduces a young Erik Lensherr as a concentration camp internee subjected to brutal treatment by the Nazi camp doctor (Kevin Bacon).

Meanwhile, a young Charles Xavier befriends a young Raven when she breaks into his suburban New York mansion in search of food. The lonely Charles adopts her as the sibling he’s never had.

Moving forward to the 1960s, Xavier (James McAvoy), the future Professor X, is completing his doctorate at Oxford and uses his brilliant academic observations and telepathic powers to court the ladies.

When not tweaking her brother Charles, Raven (Jennifer Lawrence), struggles to find her place in the world, as her shape-shifting tendency to turn into blue-skinned mutant Mystique is off-putting to mankind.

Bent on revenge, the adult Erik (Michael Fassbender) hunts down old Nazis in Argentina. An explosive scene at a pub frequented by ex-pat Germans demonstrates the extent of Erik’s pent-up rage, whose power to bend metal puts him on track to become Magneto.

The former Nazi doctor turns up as villainous mogul Sebastian Shaw, whose partner in crime is the sexy Emma Frost (January Jones, who looks really hot in white lace underwear and garters).

Like one of those larger-than-life James Bond villains in search of world domination, Shaw’s evil scheme is to start World War III as the result of a showdown in the Caribbean seas.

Plucky CIA agent Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne), after going undercover in her lingerie at a Vegas strip club, argues with her oblivious superiors that it is necessary to recruit Xavier and other mutants.

Working with another offbeat CIA agent (Oliver Platt), Moira brings Erik and Xavier together in a concerted effort to pursue the malevolent Sebastian Shaw.

A remote CIA facility becomes a training camp for all kinds of mutants, including a sonic screamer, a fire breather, a storm-tosser, an adaptive chameleon and a human fly.

The CIA-trained mutants get the chance to put their full talents on display, but unfortunately learn that they must fight a group of bad mutants who have been seduced by Shaw’s spiel of a dominant race soon to take world power.

“X-Men: First Class” is at its best for the formative character development of Xavier and Erik leading up to the adversarial relationship that is inevitable to come between Professor X and Magneto.

Insofar as this prequel has much to do with conjuring the psychological underpinnings of the mutants’ developing awareness, there is still an extremely effective focus on the sheer energy of their nifty physical talents.

On an emotional and effects-laden basis, the ultimate showdown during the Cuban Missile Crisis is undeniably thrilling. The resultant mayhem is well orchestrated by director Matthew Vaughn.

“X-Men: First Class,” a really great blockbuster thriller, has a terrific overall cast, made all the better by Kevin Bacon’s deliciously twisted arch-villain.

DVD RELEASE UPDATE

USA Network’s top-rated shows “Burn Notice” and “White Collar” come to DVD, for their seasons 4 and 2 respectively, at the very same time, leading to double thrills for those who love action-packed series.

“Burn Notice Season 4,” which pairs master-spy Michael Westen with Jesse Porter, another burned spy, puts these guys in plenty of dangerous situations, assisted by their pals Sam and sexy Fiona.

“Burn Notice Season 4” contains never-before-seen bonus footages such as “Sam Axe’s Guide to Ladies and Libations,” “Burn Notice Roasts White Collar,” and “White Collar Roasts Burn Notice.”

Meanwhile, “White Collar Season 2” continues the exploits of sophisticated conman Neal Caffrey as he teams up with FBI Agent Peter Burke to investigate an intriguing array of crimes ranging from extortion to murder.

“White Collar Season 2” includes bonus footage on fan-favorite Mozzie, a gag reel, and the same “Roast” specials, just in case you don’t pick up “Burn Notice Season 4.”

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.