X-Men: Apocalypse

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     X-Men: Apocalypse is the third installment in the X-Men prequel trilogy and the ninth installment in the overall X-Men movie universe headed up by Fox studios (assuming we pretend the new Fantastic Four launch didn’t happen, as Fox seems to be trying to do). Directed by comic book movie legend Bryan Singer and written by Simon Kinberg, Apocalypse serves as a just-ok conclusion to the story of the prequel X-Men. In a series that has distinguished itself with grounded characters and complex moral themes, Apocalypse provides the explosions but runs short on the other stuff.

SPOILER-FREE REVIEW

     X-Men: Apocalypse introduces the ancient villain Apocalypse (played by The Force Awakens alum Oscar Isaac), who provides the namesake of the film. Thanks to his ability to acquire other mutants’ abilities, Apocalypse is practically invincible. Due to some unexpected conflict, however, he’s sealed in a tomb underneath Cairo for centuries—until he awakens in the 80s. When he resurfaces, he expects to rule the world as he did in centuries past, and it’s up to Professor X’s (James McAvoy) X-Men to stop him. But the plot thickens; the X-Men must also face four powerful mutants who have allied themselves with Apocalypse, one of whom is familiar face Magneto/Erik Lehnsherr (Michael Fassbender), before they can take down the demi-god.

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     Arguably the best thing this film has going for it, like its predecessors, is its star-studded cast. Apocalypse reunites Professor X, Magneto, Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence), Beast (Nicholas Hault), Havok (Lucas Till), and Moira MacTaggert (Rose Byrne) as the core characters of the prequel trilogy. It also welcomes back fan favorites Quicksilver (Evan Peters) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Rounding out the newcomers are Sophie Turner as Jean Grey, Tye Sheridan as Cyclops, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Nightcrawler, Olivia Munn as Psylocke, Alexandra Shipp as Storm, and Ben Hardy as Angel.

     X-Men boasts some cool action sequences and some CGI splendor. Seeing the whole ensemble at odds is fun, and at several points the script offers up some surprises and subverts audience expectations. It also provides a number of really interesting character moments—about which I’ll go into detail in the spoiler section.

     The problem isn’t exactly what the movie did; the problem is more what the movie didn’t. It’s a perfectly fine superhero ensemble film: it checks all the boxes, packs a punch, delivers some heartwarming humor, and has a talented team of people behind it. Despite all that, in contrast to the best offerings of Fox’s superhero competitors and even the standard set by its own recent predecessors… it seems lackluster.

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     Yes, it has a star-studded cast, but for a two-and-a-half-hour movie, it doesn’t really seem like they do much at all. The best members of the cast are relegated to periphery roles and only a few compelling scenes. And yes, there’s cool action scenes, but they’re actually fairly few and far between. When they do happen, they don’t carry the emotional weight of Marvel studio’s top comic book movies. And while we’re on spectacle—this movie sports some really awful CGI at times. Like, not sure how this made it past Fox execs bad. X-Men Origins: Wolverine Wolverine-claws bad.

     Interestingly enough, Fox and company just doesn’t seem committed to fleshing out the prequel universe they’ve invested in—they’d rather set up the new X-Men that will undoubtedly carry the studio forward. Mystique, Professor X, Beast, and Magneto all take second stage to the new guys, despite the fact that they are clearly the ones the trilogy is supposed to be about (and, coincidentally, the ones I care about as someone who has watched those relationships for the last several years). And though you might be excited that the movie takes place in the 80s, you probably shouldn’t be. That setting could be used to elevate and distinguish the story, but instead it’s basically ignored. It makes almost zero difference in anything except, occasionally, costuming. Not to mention the fact that the main cast has inexplicably failed to age over the course of 20 years from X-Men: First Class.

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     It’s not all bad, though; Quicksilver shines again as a laugh-out-loud addition to the action. His integration isn’t shoe-horned, either; it makes sense and allows Evan Peters time to let his character show off. Hilarity ensues. There’s plenty of humor in the film: some of it works and some doesn’t, but when it works it works well. Oscar Isaac as Apocalypse delivers some really interesting (and often creepy) moments. He steals most of the scenes he’s in.

     Overall, X-Men: Apocalypse is a decent entry into superhero canon and will likely earn its place at the box office for the next few weeks. It’s not the best or most original thing ever, and for those invested in the prequel trilogy or the cinematic heights of Days of Future Past, it may disappoint. But for those looking for a good time at the movies and a supernatural battle with an engaging villain, Apocalypse will do the trick.

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SPOILERY DELICIOUSNESS

     My only really strong disagreement with this movie is the inclusion of Wolverine. Yes, he’s basically a must-have as a marketable character for the series, but he really plays no important role in this movie. It would have been easier and more mature storytelling to leave him out altogether. And his inclusion potentially offers yet another complication to the X-Men series’ troubled continuity rather than resolving any issues—but Fox has made it clear that they prefer indulging themselves rather than making continuity a priority. It wouldn’t be so egregious if he didn’t just come and go so quickly, but unfortunately, he does. If it was something really cool or exceptional, I’d be down, but he just comes out and slices some people up viciously. Nothing we haven’t seen before, and it lasts just long enough to count as an appearance in the movie. A cash-in we don’t need.

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     All that being said, there are some really cool things in Apocalypse. The arrival of the phoenix is not only impressive, but also works as a course-correction of sorts for the series. It heralds a new attempt at source faithfulness for the X-verse, which will be welcome to fans. I do think it’s appearance was fairly predictable for those in tune with Jean Grey’s character, and I wish it had been included in its own movie rather than the last of the prequel trilogy, but hey. Cyclops being bullied in the bathroom was a good introduction to the character, and Magneto’s family (and the subsequent loss thereof) were both excellent moments.

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      Apocalypse, importantly, has some of the most stunning scenes (despite his somewhat ridiculous appearance). Isaac is just plain creepy in the role, so when Apocalypse gets around to executing his powers, you know to be scared. Two scenes stand out. The opening scene in ancient Egypt is really exciting and engaging—an interesting opening to the film. The scene with the nukes is the other: it demonstrates Apocalypse’s unbridled power, his ability to circumvent other mutants’ powers, and the screenwriter’s capability to surprise the audience. Honorable mention: Apocalypse saying “All is revealed,” just before his destruction at the hands of the phoenix force. Nice touch.

photo courtesy of newyorker.com

     The opening credits, to me, stands out as one of the more notable parts of the movie. The transition from ancient Egypt to the 80s is definitely ambitious, even if it ends up coming off as a bit cheesy by the time it’s over. With the stirring X-Men theme in the background, it works well enough.

     I brought up the 80s earlier: The one major time the movie actually intersects with the 80s is when the characters go to see Return of the Jedi. It’s a cute moment and it allows the writer to give a little wink to audiences about the failings of X-Men: The Last Stand. It may turn from self-referential and funny to self-deprecating and prophetic, depending on your opinion of the movie as a whole.

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      Lastly, a word about that post-credits scene. Who is Essex Corp? It’s a reference to X-Men character Mr. Sinister, also known as Nathaniel Essex, who will apparently be involved in the X-verse in years to come. As for the vial of Wolverine’s blood, it’s anybody’s guess—but popular opinion seems to be that it’s a hint at the creation of a female Wolverine, an event which happens in the comics, apparently. Whatever it means, one thing is sure: Fox has plans for the X-men.