Directed By: Bryan Singer
Written By: Simon Kinberg
Story By: Simon Kinberg, Dan Harris, Bryan Singer & Michael Dougherty
Cinematography By: Newton Thomas Sigel
Editor: Michael Louis Hill & John Ottoman
Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Rose Byrne, Jennifer Lawrence, Oscar Issac, Sophie Turner, Nicholas Hault, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Evan Peters, Olivia Munn, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ben Hardy, Lucas Till, Josh Helman, Ally Sheedy
Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a God. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto, to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven with the help of Professor X must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction. Now I will admit to being somewhat informed when it comes to comic books especially marvel comic storyline of the 8o's and 99's again bit an expert but I do remember reading certain storylines. Now I am able to let somethings go in translation to the big screen, but this film licks and chooses and almost massacres them. For seemingly no reason. Though throughout this review I will try to keep it centered as much can on the film and filmmaking as I can. Now I will admit to being somewhat skeptical of this film series at large, but was willing to go with what they threw at the audience as long as it was entertaining. This film had more problems then usual.
I can also admit that this film is less of a review and just a list of wisecracks and problems I had with the film as I tried to live tweet the film, but ended up having most of them be too long.
X-MEN: AGE OF APOCALYPSE proves that sometimes appeal is all a matter of lighting.
Some of the lighting is harsh and makes you look at certain actors in a different way.
I realize with big productions certain Facets and information gets lost or skipped over but here are some glaring ones here.
This film seems confused or confusing for fans of the comic book and those who only know of it through the films. So it makes sense to none of them. I can look at it both ways and still find it confusing. As I know that the last film set-up for a different future but it seems the filmmakers are taking too many liberties again with that thought process.
As the film Feels similar to Robert Rodriguez movie sequels where the history and characters are a bit skewed from the last time we saw them. Even their back stories also.
Which can work when done in fun doses like Rogriguez does. I suspect sometimes only to make his stories work better. Though when try to be serious it just makes you throw all credibility out the door. Like reading a sci-fi novel and given no explanations during or after reading it. Especially when it comes to the vocabulary and It's almost like the writers of this film skimmed the original story and took cliff notes versions of the previous films characters and events. Then just made it up as they went along.
As they seem to pick and choose what to keep and what to forget. Maybe it's a matter of who was available. if you try to follow it, the story there are tons of plot holes that make no sense.
The film We know is an event film of sorts. So it tries to make everything so bombastic and bigger than it needs to be leaving it to feel like everything is operatic all the time.
We get that these films like to rewrite history and kind of make us see each characters origins. But why always teenagers it is it adult actors who just still look like teenagers.
Worse even with the changes it is still predictable. Nothing actually surprises. Even if they have to follow a known storyline this film is so filled with cliches that it never gets the audience excited enough to worry or even care too much.
The film has Great special effects, but that seems to be expected.
Cyclops character hanged so quickly on a whim. Not only in looks but in personality. One minute he is angry and naive. Then all of a sudden he is a hotshot. We know eventually he becomes a leader and is molded into one. Though here he just seems to jump right into it without being that strong. Nor are his powers realize not meant to kill anyone in the beginning, but even when needed they seem more like they will stub rather then destroy or kill.
The film Seems more like X-Men the next generation. With more allusions to the X-Men: FIRST CLASS as introducing new characters and educating them. Who all seem to be teenagers.
One scene that stands out is the ANGEL transformation scene graphic like a lite version of the same type of scene in AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON. Painful yet impressive. As he was always a mutant who never seemed that dangerous until his change. Though luckily in the film it shows him as a most formidable fighter even before his eventual transformation. Though when it comes to his character Must ask yourself is it really with all that pain so you can be more defensive. Which only makes sense In films and comic books as more of a form of defense.
Does Storm have powers before she meets apocalypse? as we never see her use them like we do with most of his other apostles and in the beginning he tells her that he can make anyone powerful or strengthen their powers.
Wasn’t Psylocke A doctor in X-Men: The Last Stand. Did the recession hit her that hard?
Bryan Singer describes Apocalypse as a mutant acting as a god, saying: "Apocalypse's from an ancient time and doesn't understand he's a mutant. He thinks of himself as more of a god. He's a hard man to break, it's why he thinks he's God. And the big giant ego of the god is that the world lacks order and respect/devotion to him. It needs to be culled, it needs to be wiped away and rebuilt."
Originally Apocalypse was to be a space entity as in the comics, but Bryan Singer found the religious aspect of the character more interesting and removed the space element from the film.
When it comes to the Magneto character. At this point is he glutton for punishment or is is just karma. As it always seems to be tragedy when it comes to his character. Which is meant to keep showing redemption and what can happen if you let hate and anger take over.
When it comes to the powers of apocalypse. Some of these tricks/effects seem right out of the movie LUCY. So Scarlett Johannsenn did it first and more Impressively... Again. As he seem omnipotent to a degree. So the film is essentially pulling a Melania trump.
Wow sequel humor in a sequel. Could be seen as lazy or an uncle joke that is turns into a cliche. As these films keep trying to slip in a knowing humor that breaks up the tone and doesn't feel natural. Especially not when in crisis.
Nice to see they kept the old set all the way back from the first X-men in the early 2000's in the magneto convincing scenes.
Watching this film I can't help but get the feeling that I am getting old. As when I was younger this is the type of film I would have loved and couldn't wait to see over and over again and now one just feels over it. --I hope in the future AVENGERS movie they don't do Thanos as bad as they did apocalypse who was an alien construct rather then an ancient Egyptian mutant one.
This is all arbitrary as we will see. Not to mention this is all in the appeal of the eye of the beholder. I enjoyed the first two films though this one is really reaching and seems like it should be more part of the original trilogy as it follows in X-MEN 3 territory just not as bad. What hurts more is that at least in the other series Bryan singer left here he is in charge so there is no excuse. Even if he impressed with the last film after Matthew Vaughn expertly handled the first film.
So the film basically has another different future yet again for the X-MEN. It's like a regular doctor who mixed with QUANTAM LEAP. as each film seems to have fun with a different decade.
Forgetting some of Quicksilver's own dynamics and physics. Though he is still the best aspect of the film or at least the only. These rules he and the filmmakers seem to remember sometimes.
Even though most of his scenes just seem to be longer versions of the breathtaking scenes in the last film. A mastery of effects where finally the humor fits in. They are still fun and impressive nonetheless
I wonder if as we know magneto is the father of Quicksilver and Scarlet witch in the comic books. Where as in the avengers film universe they are orphans. I wonder if as in the avengers they killed off quicksilver and let scarlet witch live. If that is why in the x-men movies quicksilver lives and Magneto's daughter who has powers but is never really named Scarlett witch dies. Is that a kind of revenge on the avengers movies since they started it and came first as a film putting the characters on screen.
Has WEAPON X, ever looked so corny but also been so welcome? Truthfully he is not needed but as this might be a finale film. It seems that they want to squeeze in as many appearances by different mutants. As he is the main star as well as this being the franchise that brought him to super stardom why wouldn't he at least appear. As these films Give credence with the wolverine solo films as to a continued history.
Then The film pulls a hulk hogan where all the chips are down and have mostly gotten there butts whipped. A comeback comes from out of nowhere? With no pain no pain.
I know it sounds like I am complaining a lot. The film is my that bad as it is just so disappointing. Not that I had high hopes. It's still not the worst film I have seen all year
Grade: D+
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