Review of X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) by Sam M — 25 Jul 2016

X-Men: Apocalypse (2016) benefits and suffers from exactly the same problems as Avengers: Age of Ultron: great core cast (James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Evan Peters, etc.) but way too many ingredients and way too many cooks in the kitchen with some glaring plot holes: why is it when Mystique mimics mutants such as Psylocke, she also has their powers (that doesn't make any sense to me); it's easy to conclude early on Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) will make all the difference in the climatic battle; and, the momentary cameo of Hugh Jackman's Wolverine feels like it was mandated by studio decree (while undercutting the ending of Days of Future Past).

It's a testament that the film is still watchable but half of these characters are extraneous. Jennifer Lawrence's Mystique serves no useful purpose in this film, Rose Byrne is completely wasted, and I could have done without the whole Scott Summers/Cyclops subplot.

Again, the best scene involves watching Quicksilver (Evan Peters) save everyone from his normal speed point of view while everyone else operates in slo-mo. However, the most powerful scene involves a simple but poignant conversation between McAvoy and Fassbender.

Not nearly as much fun as X-Men: Days of Future Past or even X-Men: First Class but X-Men: Apocalypse is still a somewhat amusing diversion for a couple of hours. Mark's Grade: C+.