Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating 8.5/10
Cast: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Oscar Isaac, Rose Byrne, Evan Peters, Josh Helman, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Lucas Till, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Ben Hardy, Alexandra Shipp, Lana Condor, Olivia Munn, Ally Sheedy, Tómas Lemarquis, Hugh Jackman, Stan Lee.
Uncanny as it seems but The X-Men are a franchise that keeps giving, not only in their graphic novel form but in the outline and grizzled affair that is cinema. This is certainly true as the first class trilogy comes to its conclusion in the exciting and worthy X-Men: Apocalypse.
Uncanny it may be but it is nothing short of remarkable and of major significance that through three major initial films, the Wolverine series and now the First Class trilogy, the true beginnings, at least in cinematic form, of the team of mutants, has always kept its high traditions close to its chest and given the audiences an incredible time whilst always being able to imbibe with a moral and questioning story line.
Taken from a story created almost 30 years ago, the team behind this latest film have crammed everything into the film that fans of Marvel and escapist cinema could ask for. The subtle nods to other trilogies, the gaps in story lines dealt with ease, a terrific villain, betrayal and redemption and unbelievable special effects. It is a film in which the humour is brought out even more than usual and one in which relishes the opportunity to ask questions of acceptance and just where do you draw a line between revenge and reconciliation.
Surprisingly it is the adversary who must take the plaudits, the superb Oscar Isaacs, who has already proved his artistic endeavour in a multitude of films, leads brilliantly from the front as En Sabah Nur/Apocalypse, the first mutant and who believes himself to be a god. With tremendous performances by Evan Peters who worked diligently and seemingly tirelessly on set as Quicksilver and Sophie Turner who captured the heart of the character Jean Grey with sheer professionalism, X-Men: Apocalypse is notable for its astonishing attention to detail and the gravitas of all its predecessors.
A whirlwind of a film which flies past so quickly and yet gets straight to the point of linking the original three films and the First Class trilogy with honour; it may be Apocalypse time but this is by far the end of the story.
Ian D. Hall