X-Men: Apocalypse

Oscar Isaac stars as Apocalypse - the world's oldest and most powerful mutant. Back in 3600 BC, as he was sucking out the powers of another powerful mutant (that’s his move), the Egyptians buried him underneath the rubble of a pyramid.

Now, in 1983, CIA agent Moira MacTaggert accidentally has unleashed him again giving this mutant with a massive God complex a chance to recruit new flunkies to do his bidding as he discovers the key to commanding the world and ridding the planet of all but the mutants is one Professor Xavier (James McAvoy).

I hope you saw all of the other X-Men movies, or else you might be a little lost. X-Men: Apocalypse is a difficult film to follow if you don’t know many of the characters, storylines from the other movies and the dynamics of each relationship. Plus, the meaningful moments aren’t so meaningful if you aren’t in the know.

Director Bryan Singer and writer Simon Kinberg provide some background, but this is not one for the uninitiated.

It’s also not one for people who like action and thrills.

While Kinberg and Singer are deluging the audience with so many characters and so many stories, they aren’t doing much to quicken your pulse. X-Men: Apocalypse is a dull, plodding movie with very little spirit.

Isaac us trying to make Apocalypse all cerebral and mysterious, but he needs some energy and charisma to convince the audience as to why someone as dangerous and rebellious as Magneto (Michael Fassbender) would want to join forces with the maniacal mutant.

Worst of all, every subplot feels like some set up for a future movie, so none of them truly get developed enough to be significant here. Singer is killing a tone of time as he works up to a climactic battle that isn’t very impressive, no matter how much it is supposed to signify how the X-Men grew into a coherent group.

Long time fans get some fun cameos and a few jokes here and there to put a smile on your face, but Singer has made one of the most dour movies of the summer.

X-Men: Apocalypse is rated PG-13 for sequences of violence, action and destruction, brief strong language and some suggestive images.

145 Minutes