Where's the love for X-Men? Recently, we've been focused on Marvel and Sony's union, bringing Spider-Man and the Avengers together, and not at all on Fox's growing universe. Probably due to the closest thing we've come to a new Deadpool trailer was a tweet from Ryan Reynolds, the casting of X-Men: Apocalypse getting a mixed reception and the fact that The Fantastic Four trailer (Sorry, the Fant4stic rather) looked like Interstellar 2. With that said, why don't we give a little love (probably some hate too) to one of Fox's greatest accomplishments, the X-Men franchise. In this list, I'll be ranking the films from best to worst. I will try to be Objective.
7. X-Men Origins: Wolverine
Where do I even start? This film had a hellish amount of potential, with characters like Deadpool, Gambit and Emma Frost, it was a sure thing right? No. Taking away the opening sequence showing Wolverine and Sabretooth's experience in wars throughout their lives and a pretty great performance from Ryan Reynolds, this film has nothing going for it. The writing is shoddy, the CGI is embarrassing and some of it just doesn't make sense. Lets not make this mistake again...
6. X-Men: The Last Stand
The Batman Forever of X-Men movies, meaning it was the beginning of the end. The first bad X-Men movie was another with so much potential. It had the Phoenix saga for its plot! Perhaps one of the greatest X-Men storylines and it's butchered. Also, other components of the film were based on and X-Men run by Grant Morrison, who is great! How did they screw this up so badly? Granted there are still serviceable and great performances from the core cast, and it obviously gets bonus points for having Kelsey Grammar as Beast, but... Unless Apocalypse is utter garbage (which I doubt) this will always be second to worst.
5. The Wolverine
Undoubtedly the grittiest of the X-Men movies, The Wolverine is ten times better than Origins. But... It's a little forced. I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying that if it didn't exist it wouldn't bother me. It does have some awesome set pieces though, but the twist is a little predictable and a little disappointing.
4. X-Men
Kicking off the franchise that is now a household name, X-Men was a film that helped build the love for superhero movies that is so prominent now. It turns 15 this year and has aged like a fine wine. Before Joss Whedon did Avengers, he was working on this awesome film. There are better, but this is a fantastic movie.
3. X-Men: First Class
The first X-Men film I saw in the cinema, X-Men: First Class detailed Professor X and Magneto's relationship as young men in the sixties, forming the X-Men group together. It has a couple of plot holes that messed with the canon of the franchise pre-DOFP, but it's a fantastic movie. James Mcavoy and Michael Fassbender as Charles and Eric are especially great, as well as Jennifer Lawrence as Mystique and it features a brilliant cameo from everyone's favorite animal. Also, as a Skins fan, it was great seeing Nicholas Hoult as Beast. Worth a few watches.
2. X2: X-Men United
Nightcrawler, Striker, Lady Deathstrike etc, this movie is full of characters that make you care. Also, Brotherhood of Evil Mutants teaming up with the X-Men? Awesome. It's mysterious, action packed and develops the characters you've become invested in. Also... That opening action scene. It's an epic sequence as well as a great character introduction.
1. X-Men: Days of Future Past
This is my pick. And from a objective standpoint, I do think it's the best X-Men film so far. It's smart, it's funny and at times it's a tear jerker. It features the fantastic cast from both the original trilogy and the reboot/prequel. It fixes canon issues and gives the franchise a new start which looks really interesting. Also, bravo for such a return to form by Bryan Singer!
So thats it. The X-Men movies ranked from worst to best. Thanks for reading. What did you think? Comment below.
-CapedCruVader