The last two movies gave us the opportunity to see the characters we’ve all loved for years on the big screen. This last installment seemingly closes the book on the X-Men’s foray into the movies, and one can’t help but feel mixed feelings about it.
Let’s start with action and visuals: STUNNING. The Beast’s rage unleashed. The Angel, in all his magnificence. Magneto, his magnetic power in all its glory. Arclight! Juggernaut! Multiple Man! Yes, they’re in this movie.
Visually, this film is amazing (pardon the pun). I literally never let go of my seat for the last 45 minutes of the movie. You WILL feel the sheer energy of this film.
Now, the story. Spoiler alert: Jean comes back to life-- no surprise there. But where you expect to see the Dark Phoenix saga, you will be reminded of Silent Hill instead. All-powerful Jean as Phoenix-- good thing! Jean killing Cs and P *? What’s going on here? No redemption in this one: you will feel... something else, and realize this movie is no fairy tale.
The movie also addresses real issues that plague the world today, such as terrorism. Face it: Magneto IS a terrorist by definition, and having a terrorist who can level entire blocks with a wave of his hand is not reassuring. You will understand why humans fear mutants so, and wonder what would happen if such a person really did exist in real life. Would we behave any differently?
Now, comic book fans know that X-Men is all about real situations, real choices, and the repercussions of being different in a world that fears you. But comic book fans will also feel that this movie seemingly compresses all that makes X-Men what it is, all the plots and subplots that they’ve grown to love, and makes do with an hour and a half to tell the story. It just isn’t enough. And the compromises they made to tell this story, such as the fate of several pivotal characters, feel a little hard to swallow.
And perhaps that’s what makes the movie a mixed bag: you expect humanity (mutantity?) to triumph in the end, but find yourself saddled with uncomfortable feelings of loss and betrayal-- not just for the heroes, but for the villains as well. Magneto’s final fate will not sit well with you.
Finally, please sit through the credits. There’s a little bit at the end that you have to see. Trust me.
It’ll make you feel a lot better.