X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) ***
Yet more superhuman powers on show at the hands of futuristic franchise director Bryan Singer and a plethora of characters to indulge in for fans, X-Men: Apocalypse (3D) serves as the next episode in the story saga quite adequately. Even though it has perhaps the most simplistic plotline to date, it does pack a lot in. Some might argue too much.
The world’s first mutant En Sabah Nur or ‘Apocalypse’ (Oscar Isaac) who accommodates powers of subsequent mutants awakes from his tomb, set to put the Earth back to its basic state under his rule. He plans to do this with the help of four henchmen mutants – one of whom is a familiar face. It is up to Professor Charles Xavier’s (James McAvoy) students, present and past, to stop the Apocalypse.
Singer emerses us in the powerful world of the mutant once more – and that of the Professor’s mind that takes its biggest beating so far this time around. The director is always reliable for creating a grand spectacle, and fans will not be disappointed again in their creative master’s output – even though some of the earlier effect feel a tad under developed. That constant battle to live in harmony with the humans is also there.
The problem lies with the average plot. Although a promising villain, all Apocalyse appears to do is arrive, ‘pose’ and say something menacing, like some angst-y lead in a music band’s pop video. There never seems to be enough dramatic rage to really fear this character’s wrath and full potential. In fact that’s just it about the film; it lacks potential as a strong standalone. Indeed, there are the thrills of seeing the gang back together in one cause – well, a big thrill for fans of one particular character who does hop it as soon as he’s cause a bit of mayhem. This is where the films are strongest when the mutant crew stand side by side.
It could be said that Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) has too little to do in this, short of be the new recruits’ pin-up. However, she does leave the stage open for us to get to know the newer characters like powerful Jean Grey (Sophie Turner from Game of Thrones), endearing Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) and troubled Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), as well as enjoy more zany antics from resident comedy mutant Quicksilver (Evan Peters). And this film still has a lot of humour that nicely counterbalances the personal struggles of those new characters given the run-time to show their inner conflicts. As for the oldies, it is much more of the same to the point of character fatigue.
Apocalypse, though perfectly watchable, should feel like the beginning of the end (with more episodes to come) and invigorate the series. It really does feel like the emphasis lies firmly on the youthful new characters’ shoulders to keep things fresh as the mutants (oddballs) struggle to fit in with society again – something that the viewer will always empathise with and that the saga always gets right.
3/5 stars
By @FilmGazer
