'X-Men: Apocalypse' delivers just the right amount of mutant power to make you fall in love all over again with Professor Xavier and his students, but the most disappointing element is the flat and lack-lustre Apocalypse himself.
The beginning offers promise, seemingly following in 'X-Men Days Of Future’s Past’s big blockbuster footsteps, but not for too long. We are introduced to many exciting new mutants such as Nightcrawler and Cyclops. Mystique (Raven Darkholme) also returns, and she’s broodier and filled with more boredom than ever. What happened to the sassy, sarcastic and fearless warrior we had seen in the previous films?
On the other hand, let’s be happy that Magneto changed it up and finally decided to settle for a family, cute chickens, and husky-sung bedtime songs. You could hear the hearts breaking when both his daughter and wife were killed. Gasps escape, silence succumbs, and you watch in horror as he murders every policeman with his daughter’s necklace. You can’t help but try to ignore the twinge in your heart and the spontaneous piece of dust that happened to fly into your eye right at that moment. Remember the destruction he caused and the lives that were lost due to his carelessness and power?
The cataclysmic failure throughout this movie however, lies with the one mutant, the most powerful of all – Apocalypse. Oscar Isaac tries to bring evil into Apocalypse, but falls flat. The supposed bringer of terror and giver of death, is no more than a lazy CEO of sorts. He sits in his purple bubble and travels around collecting powerful mutants, giving them the chance to be one of his Four Horsemen – who do all his dirty work. Smart move, really.
When the battle between good and evil commences in Egypt, there are montages of random efforts of destruction around the world thanks to Magneto. But why? What is the point of destroying – in Apocalypse’s words, “cleansing” – the world? There is never any tell tale sign as to what Apocalypse’s problem is with the century he’s awoken in; he just believes the world is controlled by the weak. Does that really warrant global devastation?
Considering Magneto is acting on his pain and grief, it’s no wonder he is trying to destroy the world around him, the world that's never on his side. He has more of a reason (albeit bad) to be ticked off than Apocalypse who's attempting to become a God again.
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When Apocalypse starts to pummel Charles’ mind through the connection they share, Jean – finally, after too many frustrating blank stares – steps up. Unleashing all that she has, which is so exhilarating you want to fist pump.
The real star of the show is Quicksilver. He instantly becomes the much-needed comedic relief, which is a nice break from the doom and gloom.
It is interesting to note 'X-Men: Apocalypse' was moved from an MA rating to an M. It definitely has the violence (Wolverine’s epic scene, anyone?) and even the language to get it past the mark. But it also limits the potential audience, and in turn loses money. A sure-fire no go.
Leaving this film, you’ll be wishing for your own mutant power and feeling satisfied the good guys prevailed. But also a bit empty the most formidable foe turned out to be not so formidable after all.
★★★☆☆
'X-Men: Apocalypse' is in cinemas now.
