"X-Men: Apocalypse" - Review

How the Emotional Apocalypse Is Necessary

I hold the X-Men films to a higher standard than most blockbuster entertainment. Not only did it help usher in the reality that great comic book movies could exist, but they have always been a more thoughtful and thematically risky alternative to the more light-hearted romps of traditional Marvel films, but not quite as dire as The Dark Knight films. They have always been intelligent enough to parallel real world social issues and to dig in deep with the main characters. First Class and Days of Future Past are ultimately ensemble based character studies, disguised as blockbuster entertainment. I consider those films to be recent examples of the very best of what the comic book genre can offer. Now we have Apocalypse, and while it may lack the cohesion and the emotional gravitas of past films, it is still a thoughtful and thrilling film that is not afraid to have a little fun mixed in with the apocalyptic shenanigans.

X-Men: Apocalypse picks up 10 years after Days of Future Past. The world has been introduced to the idea of mutants and is slowly making progress into becoming more accepting of them. Charles Xavier has created a safe haven for young mutants and prides in teaching them. Erik Lehnsherr has gone into hiding and is trying to lead a more "normal" life. Things get messy when an ancient being, thought to be the first mutant, suddenly wakes up from a many-year sleep. His name is Apocalypse and when he sees what the world looks like in 1983, he is pretty grumpy about it. Apocalypse decides to rally other disgruntled mutants to form his "four horsemen" to help him cleanse the world to start anew with mutants in power. All of our favorite characters, including young versions of characters we have met before, get caught up in the conflict and the battle for the fate of the world begins.

This film starts off incredibly well. Its first 20 minutes or so are slower, but full of intriguing character introductions and poignant character development. Michael Fassbender in particular gets a scene towards the beginning that is among some of the greatest and most heart-wrenching acting he has ever achieved. It is an incredible piece, but it is a shame that it ended up being the most emotional peak of the film. Act 1 culminates in an incredible Quicksilver sequence that is equal parts thrilling and hilarious that is worth the price of admission alone. However, the film starts to lose its focus once act 2 begins. Our characters become scattered after a significant event and the film becomes splintered as a result. In case you have not seen the trailers and do not want this surprise spoiled, I will not describe the circumstances that are responsible for the bulk of the big act 2 sequence. But I will say that it feels very forced. There was not really much reason for this section of the film whatsoever and it distracted from the main plot significantly. The sequence itself is fun and intense, but it feels like a side adventure that does not add too much of substance.

Things focus up a bit once we hit act 3, but by this point it has become more of a spectacle film, rather than one with an emphasis on characters and plot. There are still a handful of great moments featuring individual characters, but I did not feel as invested as I have been in the series in the past. Having a giant, explosive plot is not enough. We need the emotional substance to ground it all and give us something human to hang onto interspersed with all the larger than life craziness. Characters seemed to become plot devices rather than living and breathing people. The much hyped Psylocke, played by Olivia Munn, is a complete waste here. There is absolutely to her character except that she scowls a lot and can do flips with laser swords. This character development negligence is again made abundantly clear with our title villain. Oscar Isaac is a very capable actor and he lends a great deal of menace to this part, but it is completely on the surface. We never know anything about Apocalypse outside of a very basic goal. He is a catalyst for the plot, and that is about it. If we were given just a bit of backstory as to why he views the world the way he does, outside of him being a mean guy with super powers, the film would have been infinitely more involving. The films have always been at their best when they explore the dynamics and world views between Professor X and Magneto. They have always been set up to parallel true life figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcom X. Apocalypse represents the true extreme of the ideas these men stand for and that could have been incredibly fascinating to explore in contrast with past films. The film never gets that deep into its thematics disappointingly.

The themes this film tackles instead are a bit more broad and not as intricate as past films, but they are still incredibly interesting ideas. I love the idea that each film represents different stages in how the world embraces diversity. In First Class, differences are met with fear and exploitation before it turns into hostility. Days of Future Past shows that evolve into paranoia that is ultimately calmed when presented with the most human of compassion. Apocalypse is closer to how today's society treats the issue. As Jennifer Lawrence says early on, the fear and hate still exists. "They are just more polite about it." Xavier later ponders the fears he has of the "worst case scenario" that could happen toward the ones he loves. For Erick, these fears become very real and become an emotional apocalypse that he needs to overcome. With lines drawn between groups of people, a power dynamic is created. If one is not in the top spot, the other side will snatch it away. Both Days of Future Past and Apocalypse end up showing the extreme consequences that can come both sides becoming powerful over the other. It's this reality that paints melancholy over Professor X's words when he talks about his school. He is proud of it being a safe haven for those who are different, but he dreams of a day where his school can become a University and safe place for both human and mutant together. Maybe the coming of Apocalypse is what our characters needed to set their focus on a dream like that again. That dream is a far cry from the devastation that takes place later on in the film due to prejudices and lines being drawn between people, but it keeps a goal in mind after the fallout from an emotional apocalypse settles. These films are cautionary tales about how we have treated others in the past, so hopefully our world takes note of the very real fears that still exist among those who are secluded and discriminated against today.

X-Men: Apocalypse is full of interesting ideas and thrilling action set pieces but it eventually becomes lost in its scattershot plot threads and forgets to build up its characters in more meaningful ways. When this movie sings though, it truly sings. There are a handful of powerful scenes that are worth seeing the film for and as a whole, the movie is pretty damn good. It just lacks the inspired spark that would have put it on the exemplary level of the past two films. I still had one hell of a good time though and I hope you do too.

Note: When it comes to more "serious" superhero movies, X-Men: Apocalypse is significantly better than Batman v. Superman because it not only feels like a more complete and coherent film on its own, it is also a million times more fun. If Civil War is the best the genre offers, Apocalypse is a step below that.

Grade: B.

X-Men: Apocalypse is now playing in theaters everywhere.

Like superhero movies?? Check out my reviews for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice and Captain America: Civil War by following the links!