X-Men: Apocalypse will have you brimming with mixed feelings about the movie. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that it is Bryan Singer’s most mediocre Marvel attempt ever. Kind of a mixed baggage actually, has so many flaws and yet so many thrilling scenes to keep you riveted.
X-MEN: APOCALYPSE ATTIRE
En Sabah Nur is here. But no one takes him seriously. Is it the attire? Is it the other-worldliness? Or is it the fact that he gets scorned at so many times that people laugh at him? Or it could probably be the panache Oscar Isaac was missing? In the comical world Apocalypse is a complete badass, who makes death his servant. Even the animated series is trickling down with his inhumane acts. Here, not so much.
SPOILERS X AHEAD:
The good thing about the movie is that it is really dark. Death is a quickie affair and Singer doesn’t stop singing with it throughout the flick. What he tries gorgeously this time to bring in the front-line is the spotlight Summers deserves and Tye Sheridan aces Scott to perfection. He gets a proper screen time unlike prequels with a really powerful laser shot that will give you happy feels for him.
The high point of X-Men Apocalypse is Peter Maximoff hands down. He brings in a few laughs as he coolly sways around in bullet time to set things right. Watch out for that awesome bit!
Michael Fassbender is still the pillar holding this X-Men timeline together. With his extraordinary acting prowess he makes Magneto one of the most revered characters ever. You can’t help but feel sorry for the fate he ends up with every single time when he tries to do good. James McAvoy still does a great Charles. We finally get to see Alex Summers in action, but sadly it was ephemeral.
DOWNSIDES OF X-MEN: APOCALYPSE
I didn’t like the fact that Singer decided to go with a theatrical resounding voice for Apocalypse whenever he would try to jackhammer a point. Also, Apocalypse isn’t really psychotic, not at all terrifying to look at, and it would seem hanging out with him wouldn’t be a problem. His regalia quite odd and the flair we expected in him badly missing.
That Wolverine bit in the X-Men: Apocalypse will definitely give you the jitters, but Jean trying to pacify the animal seemed so forced that you wonder where the subtlety is. We could have lived without it Bryan! At times the movie flings into uncalled corners where you can pinpoint the incongruity and the missing gravity. Characters don’t spend time grieving or even wonder-struck at what’s happening. We can blame editing for that.
OTHER MCU CHARACTERS IN X-MEN: APOCALYPSE
We see Jubilee here and finally some Sentinels that will fill you up with the animated series’ nostalgic vibes. Blob cameo was a pleasant wink. Eventually we get a glimpse at what’s coming in Wolverine 3 which makes MCU imminence a delectable treat. Wink at Mister Sinister!
But you still overlook it all since it is a comic after all. Things are supposed to hole that way. All in all it was really entertaining.
There is no better way to put it as Jean, who says,
“At least we can all agree the third one is always the worst”.
I am not going to debate on that. She just proves the point, as if Bryan knew midway that X-Men: Apocalypse was going to end up in shambles, and tries to justify the movie with that sneer.
All in all, X-Men: Apocalypse is nothing but a one time forgetful watch.
X-Men: Apocalypse
Pros
- Michael Fassbender stays the crux of the tale
- Quicksilver is sheer delight
- Scott Summers gets a proper screen time
- Watch out for the unpredictable Jean moment
- Wolverine was a pleasant surprise
Cons
- Lacks proper gravity
- Bryan Singer loses his subtlety
- Apocalypse depiction lacked flair
