The next instalment of the quasi reboot featuring X-Men: First Class and then Days of Future Past is X-Men: Apocalypse. With the film featuring most of the same cast of the aforementioned titles, Bryan Singer (himself on his 4th X feature) is now a veteran of the uniformed costumed mutants and seems to be responsible for the more engrossing efforts of the franchise. On this attempt he manages to clip the bar of the high standard set for himself.
The film kicks off winding back a few millennia with an exhilarating visual smorgasbord in ancient Egypt. The promethean mutant En Sabah Nur AKA Apocalypse AKA creepy blue Oscar Isaac has initiated a ritual to transfer his consciousness into another reluctant mutant sacrifice. He is accompanied by his four ‘horsemen’ entourage of mutants. Mid-transition he becomes the victim of a terrorist plot perpetrated by the enslaved human populace. Through the action of his minions his life is saved, however he is rendered unconscious and dormant beneath his imploded pyramid.
Then it’s modern day Egypt and CIA operative Moira (Rose Byrne) stalks a group of suspicious men into an enclave beneath the surface. The small group, through a ritualistic chant, resurrect Apocalypse. Immediately he recruits four followers, amongst whom is the street smart and spunky Storm (Alexandra Shipp) and the misanthropic and grieving Magneto (the excellent Michael Fassbender). Proceeding to kidnap Professor Xavier (James McAvoy), Apocalypse begins to enact a scheme to destroy the Earth and begin a reign of ultra facism. All that stands between him is a group of mostly adolescent untested and leaderless mutants.
Watching Singer’s newest X feature illicits a strong sense of déjà vu to that of his oldest X feature and the original 2000 X-Men. Thematically that’s not really a problem. The themes of isolation, prejudice, kinship and xenophobia are the backbone to the X-Men series that have always made them engaging to anyone who has felt at odds within the cultural mainstream at some time (which I’m fairly confident is every teenager ever). Plot-wise there is a lot of recycled material from the 2000 film. A seemingly omnipotent deluded mutant (Magneto/Apocalypse), ensnares a innocent and powerful mutant to grow his own power (Rogue/Xavier). And he can only be foiled by a hastily put together rag tag crew that must first overcome a handful of malevolent mutants. Compounding this is the same muzzle all comic book franchises seem to wear, restricting their respective value as stand alone features.
What does make the film worthwhile is the stellar cast coalesced with resonant characters. Every character has a detailed back story with complicated human drives and emotions. The McAvoy and Fassbender relationship is as rich a mosaic that could be found on screen. Fassbender in particular covers a deep well of emotional depth within this film and certainly could not be deduced down to being simply good or bad. The always engrossing Jennifer Lawrence delivers another solid performance as Mystique. Nicholas Hoult‘s potential is fully utilised as Beast. By far the breakout star is Evan Peters who gives the film an aura of excitement and electricity any time his character Quicksilver is on screen.
While it’s certainly not a perfect film, X-Men: Apocalypse is quite worthwhile filmmaking. Singer is a pro behind the camera, keeping things moving with a tight pace and some stunning visuals, particularly during the action sequences. Yet the material does wear a little thin, in particular towards the end. Encroaching past the two hour mark the movie becomes less a can or how will they, and more so a when will they. Those invested in the series will enjoy the performances and permutations of the characters.
X-Men Apocalypse is in cinemas from 19th May through 20th Century Fox.
