Review of Dark Phoenix (2019) by Brent_Marchant — 07 Jun 2019

Not a great "X-men" franchise offering, but certainly not as bad as what many critics and fans have been saying. This character-driven superhero tale is somewhat overwritten when it comes to exploring (and frequently misinterpreting) motivations, incorporating contemporary social issue symbolism, and getting in touch with feelings, so much so that it tends to drag in the first half.

The opening also gives surprisingly short shrift to the action-adventure elements, a shortcoming that's fortunately made up for at the back end. However, when it comes to the story's philosophical/metaphysical themes, the picture is spot-on, providing thoughtful viewing yet again in an unlikely context.

In all, this release may not match its predecessors, but it does share valuable insights worth pondering in a well-acted, beautifully photographed package.