Despite being the fourth (and certainly not last) superhero film of the year, it is the first team based flick in which they have not turned on each other.
Bringing most of the original X-Men squad together from the sequel series, but this time as teenagers, they form to fight their most dangerous enemy yet.
Set 10 years after the events of X-Men: Days of Future Past, Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters has acquired some new students, as well as the progression of other mutants, the relationship between man and mutant was at an all time low, but still not quite perfect. However, after sleeping for over 4000 years, Apocalypse rises and gathers four horsemen with a plan to not only take over the world, but to cleanse it of all undesirable beings. With the X-Men being out of action for a decade, the newest additions to the group will have to utilise their powers to save the world.
With the some of the actors returning from their war against the sentinels, the main characters should be familiar to audiences, including Charles Xavier (James McAvoy – Filth, Wanted), Magneto/Erik Lensherr (Michael Fassbender – Steve Jobs, Prometheus), Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence – The Hunger Games, Joy), Hank McCoy (Nicholas Hoult – Mad Max: Fury Road, Warm Bodies), Alex Summers/Havok (Lucas Till – Walk The Line, Stoker) and Peter Maximoff/Quicksilver (Evan Peters – Kick-Ass, American Horror Story).
Out of these returning characters, a particularly increased role goes to the previously fan favourite, Quicksilver. Further exploring his lightning speed abilities and the different ways of displaying them, it brings a new and refreshing style to it whilst maintaining the style seen in its predecessor. Along with the new talent and superpowers that are brought into this super-show, you’ll never get bored of watching the characters show off their skills, including a special guest appearance to round it off.
The newcomer ‘good-guy’ roster includes Cyclops/Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan – Joe, Scouts Guide to the Zombie Apocalypse), Jean Grey (Sophie Turner – Game of Thrones, Barely Lethal), Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner (Kodi Smit-McPhee – The Road, Let Me In) and Jubliee (Lana Condor). On joining his brother Alex, Sheridan executed an emotionally engaging portrayal as Scott Summers, finally giving fans insight into his origins and gain a better understanding of him. The same can also be said for Turner as Jean Grey, bringing a similar style to that previously seen. Together they created a certain, more innocent chemistry than the first time around, not only due to the fact that they’re younger, but still trying to figure out their powers as well as who they really are. Continuing the portrayal of innocence, McPhee has brought a confused and reclusive mutant who desires to see the world. Jubilee on the other hand didn’t quite receive the screen time deserved for a character with such potential of which the studio decided to release the name of. Overall, the rookies brought a specific ‘coming-of-age’ quality to the film.
For the villain roster however, there are four significant newcomers, some of which would only be recognisable to fans of the franchise, with the main attraction being Oscar Isaac’s (Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ex Machina) unrecognisable transformation as the world’s first mutant, Apocalypse, an all powerful, increasingly growing in strength being with extinction level plans for the world. They say a film is only as good as its villains, and in this case Isaac gave his all to deliver the best possible performance. The first of his horsemen is a young Storm (Alexandra Shipp – Straight Outta Compton, Drumline: A New Beat), this time of an Egyptian nationality and fiery personality. This is followed by another debut, this time of iconic mutant Psylocke (Olivia Munn – Magic Mike, Deliver Us from Evil), who delivers the portrayal that fans could only hope for. Whilst she too did not receive the screen time that she deserved, what we received was worth it. The final new mutant villain is another familiar face and wings, (Arch)Angel (Ben Hardy – Eastenders), also making use of the minimal time received.
With the return of Magneto, once again turning to the dark side of morality, Xavier once again must turn to him, debating his decisions to do so. Despite having seen this before in every X-Men film, the portrayal of questioning the differences between right and wrong, and just how far your patience can be stretched until you snap, there is a distinct desperation and purpose towards Magneto’s character to make this even more emotive and effective.
With the new arrivals, it gave the studio the opportunity to give some characters a makeover, this time with a little more comic accuracy, definitely to the relief of die-hard comic fans.
As expected from the trailers, there is a huge amount of special effects within this film, with multiple scenes relying solely on them. Whilst some work beautifully and extremely effectively (such as buildings being disintegrated, and cities being torn apart), some don’t quite match up to modern expectations, however the majority enhance the experience to a new level, potentially to be viewed in IMAX for maximum enjoyment.
One of the hardest things about making a film that’s set in the past is ensuring the accuracy of every single detail matches and is time accurate. This is was requirement for it to be a convincing setting was met in true style, going that extra mile. Not only did it contain the right cars, box-ey television sets, cubist computers and costume, but included a bit of era-accurate pop culture, including the famous Michael Jackson Thriller jacket, as well as a nod to Return of the Jedi, showing how that little extra effort makes a film that bit more enjoyable. It also functions as a little treat for the adults in the audience growing up or living through the early eighties.
With a running time of 2 hours 24 minutes, it sometimes felt as if it was being dragged out to match the length of other hero films. This is due to the fact that it went through stages of being exciting, then dragging slightly, then exciting, then dragging slightly, then exciting. One thing that can be said for certain is that it not only had an incredibly strong opening, but also closed in an equally epic fight, combining a concept of Inception meets Armageddon, leaving you in awe.
As always with recent superhero films, the soundtrack packs just as much power as the narrative itself, with John Ottman returning to do so. With situation appropriate tones and timbre, each scene, and particularly the fight scenes, are made even more powerful and engaging by the atmospheric sounds that accompany them. Once again, there is even some nostalgic pop music, including a particular hit of Eurythmics.
Overall, X-Men: Age of Apocalypse is a fun and emotional ride of special effects and historic nostalgia, whilst also giving the true fans the close comic accuracy they finally deserve.
7.5/10
Watch the trailer here:
nerdscreen 