2016 has been a divisive year for Comic-Book Movies, split down the middle on what is good and what is bad. The same dillemna was faced in the films themselves, heros unsure if what they were doing was right or wrong. An attempted deconstruction of the genre was at hand with movies like Batman V Superman, Deadpool, and Civil War leading the charge. Faced with heavy themes or in Deadpool's case, making it a joke.
Apocalypse had a different angle than other offerings this year. As much as people love to rag on Singer, instead of hiding away from the comic books, the movie embraced them. In a year full of movies looking to deconstruct the genre, X-Men Apocalypse looked to build upon the genre.
Apocalypse had some serious moments sure. But unlike Civil War and Dawn of Justice, it had one element both lacked, Joy. Throughout the movie the characters truly embraced their roles and who they were. Isaac embraced the Apocalypse character to a tee of what he is in the comics.
Quicksilver especially was a great example of Apocalypse's bright side. Instead of a brooding character being conflicted about saving people or a guy who is conflicted about the political systems in place, Quicksilver was a guy who just loved being what he was. When he saw the mansion blowing up, he wasn't faced with an internal dilemna, he was just a good guy who wanted to do good. Even in moments of peril he managed to bring levity to what he was doing.
Characters like Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Nightcrawler especially brought a sense of heart to the movie. They actually felt like people in the movie instead of backround characters that other movies have made the mistake of doing. Alongside that, the personalities of the characters are great reperesentations of their comic counterparts, while still being different enough to allow the actors to give them their own take.
Even with Apocalypse presumably gone (Keep in mind Apocalypse is known to revive himself, That mystery X-teamup movie anyone?) It gives the future movies an opportunity to have more personal threats than one that will almost end the world. The X-men have always been at their best story-wise when they face a target that is very close and relatable to them.
Essentially, as my views evolved, I have realized that Apocalypse was a step in the right direction for the X-men series. It's be no means a perfect movie, but sets up a happy medium for the future series with the joy and feel of the X-Men comics, with the thoughtfulness and emotion that Singer brought to the series.
About The Author:
you too have known loss
and that loss torments you still
you hoped hatred might someday replace the pain
but it never goes away
it makes a man hideous
inside and out
wouldnt you agree?