X-Men: Apocalypse

Like with City of Glass, this review (along with Alice Through the Looking Glass - to come still) has been a long time coming.

In fact, it's been so long I probably can't even write a proper review because I can only remember snippets of each film.

Having said that, I remember the overall feeling I felt after them.

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This one I felt was a good film. I, at least, enjoyed it as much as any of the other films in the X-Men franchise.

The plot was standard with there being a bad guy trying to take over the world and the X-Men needing to stop him as usual. Although hardcore comic book fans have complained that it was rubbish compared to it's origins, simply not doing it justice.

I enjoyed the introduction of the well-known characters (Cyclops, Jean and Storm) in their younger days. I particularly think Sophie Turner did a wonderful job as Jean. It was refreshing to see her play somebody who wasn't a helpless high-lord's daughter for once (although not so helpless in the most recent series of GoT, I must admit).

I wasn't entirely convinced by Apocalypse's character. I thought he would be scarier or more dominating or something. He just seemed a bit merh to be honest.

I did love the Egyptian theme though, there's something fascinating about it all and the locations/set was pretty magnificent.

As for the four horsemen accompanying Apocalypse, I thought they, too, fell a little flat (except Magneto of course). I just wasn't convinced they were the all powerful group. It was too obvious that the X-Men would win because, well, they always do.

Two things I really really enjoyed though:

1. The way they showed Jean's capabilities even this early on was pretty interesting. Even in the early X-Men you don't really believe how powerful she is.

2. The scene with Erik and his family. It's awful, absolutely heartbreaking, but probably the most perfectly shot scene in the entire film.

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Rating: ★★★★☆



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Captain America: Civil War

When I heard about this film, I hadn't been entirely convinced it would be very good. In fact, I was damn right sceptical. I mean, the Avengers fight bad guys, not each other. Who would ever think that that was a good idea?

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But, it was actually pretty good, albeit very long.

It was very action-packed with an interesting, in-depth backstory for two of the main characters, entwining them unexpectedly.

For some reason though, I just don't click with Captain America. I find him incredibly irritating and boring, like, he's not exactly a superhero is he? Maybe it's because I'm a diehard Robert Downey Jr. fan, I don't know, but Steve Rogers is too noble and Prince Charming-esque for me.

I loved the addition of Spiderman, Ant Man and Black Panther however. Spiderman, especially, because he was hilarious and although I missed Andrew Garfield I felt Tom Holland did a great job and I look forward to seeing him in any future Marvel films.

I also liked how the superheroes seemed to be struggling more within themselves this time, dealing with their own flaws, the results of their own actions. It definitely made them more relatable. This was especially highlighted with Stark and Wanda. Robert Downey Jr. and Elizabeth Olsen were spectacular.

Paul Bettany was, again, brilliant as Vision. His high intelligence and power verses his misunderstandings of human nature was interesting. He could be the most powerful of them all without even really knowing it.

However, like I said earlier, the film was very, very long. Every time I thought the climactic action scene and following calm one would be the end, another action scene exploded onto the screen and I was left wondering if the film would ever end. It was also a little annoying that they added two extra scenes, one a minute or so after a few credits and another right at the very end. Come on, at least put them both together!

Anyways, if you like action films and men in spandex suits, this one's for you.

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Rating:

★★★☆☆

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