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Laramie Movie Scope:
X-Men Apocalypse

Even more explosions than the last stand

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by Robert Roten, Film Critic
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May 28, 2016 -- A real oldie mutant from the super high tech days of ancient Egypt wakes up from thousands of years of sleep and is not amused by the modern world, so he decides to wipe it out and start over. The X-Men ride to the rescue in this alternate time line sequel that picks up a few years after one of the time lines seen in “X-Men: Days of Future Past.” If you can't follow this, you have not seen enough X-Men movies. Come to think of it, there have been quite a few of these Marvel films.

Because this takes place in 1983, 17 years prior to the time line of the first film, the film uses some of the original actors from the first film, as well as most of the younger actors from other X-Men films, and some new younger actors who portray X-Men characters at an earlier age. That sounds a bit more confusing than it is.

Returning are Michael Fassbender as Magneto, James McAvoy as Dr. Charles Xavier and Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique. These three have played these same three main characters in three X-Men films, First Class, Days of Future Past and Apocalypse. Hugh Jackman, as Wolverine, also makes an appearance here, the only actor to play the same character in every X-Man film.

Evan Peters as the speedster Quicksilver returns, reprising his role from Days of Future Past. A surprising secret is revealed about Quicksilver in the film. It looks like this is foreshadowing for a future X-Men film. Nicholas Hoult reprises his role as the younger version of the Beast, Hank McCoy (Kelsey grammar played the older version of this character). In this film Cyclops is played by Tye Sheridan (“Mud”) for the first time (James Marsden played the older version of the character). Sophie Turner plays super mutant Jean Grey for the first time (Famke Janssen played the older version of the character).

The main new character in this film is the oldie mutant mentioned earlier, En Sabah Nur (played by Oscar Isaac of “Ex Machina,” who is unrecognizable under heavy effects makeup). The movie starts out with his back story, including a high-tech ancient Egyption method for transferring the mind and powers of one mutant into the body of another mutant, which comes up later in the film. A terrible tragedy befalls Magneto making him angry enough to destroy the world, just at the right time for En Sabah Nur come along to recruit him to do just that.

In addition to having almost unlimited powers, En Sabah Nur also is able to recruit other mutants to help him. He is able to greatly amplify the powers of his followers. In addition to Magneto, he recruits Storm (played by Alexandra Shipp in this film, with Halle Berry playing the older version of the character appearing in earlier films) along with Angel (Ben Hardy) and Psylocke (Olivia Munn of “Ride Along 2”).

The X-Men find out about the plot to destroy the world, so they head to Egypt to do battle with En Sabah Nur and his four followers. This is not unlike the plot of “Captain America: Civil War.” There is a huge amount of destruction in this film. A lot of people die. The movie is filled to overflowing with characters, subplots and groundwork for future X-Men films. It is kind of exhausting to watch all this extreme busyness. Despite being overstuffed, the plot works well enough, and there is more than enough spectacle for action film fans. The 3D effects are well done and the acting is solid.

This film presents a story which seems to feature a different time line than the last film in this series, like an alternate universe with a somewhat different history. If this is continued in the next film, and this appears likely, it presents new directions for future films to take. These new directions probably will not be like the first X-Men film, which presented the conflict between mutants and ordinary humans in a different light.

I think this is basically a good film, but it is mainly aimed at fans of the previous films. I don't see how it will make much sense to those who have not seen the previous films. At some point, you'd think that Marvel Studios will run out of steam, but not yet. This looks to be a successful addition to Marvel's enviable string of hits. This film rates a B.

Click here for links to places to buy or rent this movie in digital formats, or to buy the soundtrack, posters, books, even used videos, games, electronics and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.

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Copyright © 2016 Robert Roten. All rights reserved.
Reproduced with the permission of the copyright holder.
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Robert Roten can be reached via e-mail at my last name at lariat dot org. [Mailer button: image of letter and envelope]

(If you e-mail me with a question about this or any other movie or review, please mention the name of the movie you are asking the question about, otherwise I may have no way of knowing which film you are referring to)