The original X-Men movie trilogy was let down by its final instalment X-Men: The Last Stand. The movie plot featured two major storylines from the X-Men comic series which were awkwardly combined. And in the end it did neither of them justice. After the amazing X-Men: Days of Future Past I had once more high expectations for the third part, called X-Men: Apocalypse, in particular because Bryan Singer was directing again.
In X-Men: Apocalypse a group of cultists awakes the world’s first mutant, Apocalypse, from millennia of stasis. He wields almost god like powers which he acquired by repeatedly transferring his consciousness from one mutant’s body to another and assimilating each host’s abilities in the process. Displeased with a world ruled by normal humans and their technology Apocalypse decides to destroy civilisation on a global scale. When they become aware of his plan the X-Men lead by Professor Xavier assemble a team for a desperate attempt to stop him. This team faces not only Apocalypse himself but also the four powerful mutants that he recruited as his followers.
Like its predecessor X-Men: Apocalypse combines an action packed plot with strong characters and personal stories. The mutants are portrayed as vulnerable human beings that struggle to cope with the hate and fear for their kind. But the events set in motion by Apocalypse’s rise force them to put these struggles aside, choose a side and join the fight. It is the combination of over the top action and these very human aspects that make this movie exiting and relatable at the same time.
I greatly enjoyed X-Men: Apocalypse. It is a very complex comic adaption with a good script, good acting and excellent special effects. The only letdown was perhaps the odd locking makeup and costume of the main antagonist, Apocalypse. I’m looking forward to more excellent X-Men movies with the current cast.