X-Men: Apocalypse [M]

Thousands of years ago the first mutant, an exceptionally powerful one, was stopped before he could transfer his consciousness into a new body. Now he has awoken into the modern world where humans and technology rule and mutants live in fear and hiding. Gathering four supporters, he plans a day of ‘cleansing’ that will eradicate the human barrier and leave surviving mutants to live a life of power and peace. With the entire world at stake, it falls to Charles Xavier, Hank, Raven, and a few of Charles’ students to take up the mantle and become X-Men. 

There’s nothing quite like an apocalypse movie is there, especially one where the end of the world is caused by the kick-arse powers of mutants. 

Whilst it hasn’t hit wonders on the critical end of the spectrum, X-Men: Apocalypse does hold fast to the genre contract that the franchise has with its viewers and delivers a pretty great movie experience both in terms of visual effects and story. 

First of all, the computer wizardry is pretty masterful with the already cool powers of Magento, Storm, Quicksilver, and such all getting bumped up a notch or three. The execution of the apocalypse is actually quite breathtaking and brutal to watch: all these recognisable and historic landmarks being dissected and raised from the ground is horrible, but captivating and you can’t tear your eyes away. 

Our villain Apocalypse is pretty badass too with a teasing look of compassion and almost love which then is quickly replaced with cruel intentions. When his eyes glaze over, you know everyone’s in for it and you’re grateful that you’re not one of the characters in the movie. 

Second of all, there is a lot more going on in terms of story. Whilst the central story is all X-Men stopping the apocalypse, there are so many smaller stories that make up the intertwining root system of the first X-Men trilogy. Chiefly, these are origin stories of some of Xavier’s first students: Storm, Jean, and Cyclops, but what’s really nice about the film is that it doesn’t overload us with exposition as to each of them. 

We are given these characters and the film trusts that we know who they are (or will become) and doesn’t try to tie them all to the first movies in any annoying, cumbersome, and obvious way, which I really like. It means writers are thinking of their audiences when they decide not to spell everything out for us and leave us to come to our own conclusions. Though admittedly, the whole Phoenix glimpse was a bit clichéd and ham-fisted and really could have been done without. 

The third thing that’s good about this movie is that it regains some of that humorous banter that so delightfully infused the first trilogy. Though it’s not as funny this time around, there are characters and moments where a little of comedy is stuck in and it goes a long way. 

The performances are all fine and solid, though admittedly there is not much room for huge bouts of great acting in between all the action and special effects so there’s no real room for comment on that front. Though I will say that Sophie Turner is more likeable as poor Sansa Stark. 

Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters, Josh Helman, Tye Sheridan, Lucas Till, Kodi Smith-McPhee, Ben Hardy, Alexandra Shipp, Lana Condor, and an appearance from Hugh Jackman, X-Men: Apocalypse is a good film filled with action, origins, drama, and comedy. It delivers the expected experience of an X-Men film and you can’t really ask for more than that.