Coming out just two years after the success of “X-Men: Days Of Future Past,” director Bryan Singer once again returned to the helm, expanding the world of mutants once more. “X-Men: Apocalypse” went further down the rabbit hole of X-Men lore, introducing the ancient being known as Apocalypse, who is said to have been mankind’s first mutant. Worshiped and revered, he returns in the present day and recruits four powerful mutants to his side to bring about the end of the world — including the X-Men’s fiercest foe, Magneto.
Facing a diabolical threat unlike anything they’ve seen before, the X-Men regroup — with the help of a new team of young mutants — to stop Apocalypse and his four horseman. Though it gets credit for its ambitious premise, “Apocalypse” was a big let down, especially considering how beloved the previous film in the series had been just a couple of years before. Instead of the gripping, dramatic story and engaging characters we got in “Days Of Future Past”, its sequel devolves into straight action schlock. Stars Oscar Isaac, Olivia Munn, and young stars Kodi-Smit McPhee and Alexandra Shipp are mostly wasted as Apocalypse, Psylocke, Nightcrawler, and Storm. Ultimately, it’s a film that looks great on paper but doesn’t translate to the screen. But another memorable slow motion Quicksilver set piece helps bump this one up a little higher on this list.
If all you’re looking for is slick, big budget mutant action, on a bigger scale than we’ve ever seen, this one is for you.