The X-Films have a rather love/hate relationship among the fanbase. Then you have that small vocal minority that doesn't care one way or another; Apocalypse is probably the most critically divided superhero film since Man of Steel. Even my opinion of the movie is rather mixed, there are parts that I liked and there are parts that I don't like. However there is one part of the film I happen to enjoy. The Final Act.
Apocalypse isn't exactly my favorite live action villain adaptation but I acknowledge that there was potential within him and I give credit in Singer at least tried to do something with the character to make him look like a legitimate threat. And out of all the Marvel films, Apocalypse is the only villain I felt was as close to a global threat as you could have. And Singer showed just how much he's a threat, globally.
Yet what pleased me was the final battle. A battle that truly showcase everything was at stake, the X-Men were trying to save not just the world but their mentor Xavier; and I like how even Xavier isn't safe from such a villain like Apocalypse. There were moments the movie even made me feel concerned for his well being, especially during the mind battle. And honestly, I never once gave a damn about any of the Avengers because if there is anything the MCU has taught me its they're fine no matter what. Despite the fact that I know the X-Men will win I give the final battle kudos in getting me invested in the battle emotionally.
There wasn't as single joke said from either side and this was really what I should have wanted from Thor: Dark World. With both sides wanting to kill eachother with the hero side even more than willing to kill to protect someone they care about. Now imagine if someone made a lame joke when Xavier was fighting for his life during that mind battle against Apocalypse? It would take away any emotional investment I had because the people involved are treating it like some big joke. And they aren't fighting for the sake of fighting as there was a story behind the fight scenes.
And while I felt they blew their load with The Phoenix too soon I do appreciate that it was done in a manner that I actually gave a crap about the Jean Grey character. Being honest here I never cared about Jean Grey. Honestly I felt that she's one of the worst characters in the X-Men franchise. Especially with how she pretty much was the X-Men equivalent of Bella Swan during that whole love triangle with Cyclops and Wolverine. I mean Jean's entire character is which guy I'm going to screw or The Phoenix? That's it.
But in this one I felt Apocalypse had rescued her from the scrappy heap. The movie turned Jean Grey into a rather layered character with her own arc that doesn't revolve around which guy I want to fuck? And she was the one to defeat Apocalypse during the end. I hope to God that the next film continues to make Jean a strong character.
So while I wouldn't call Apocalypse my all time favorite superhero movie, that honor goes to Deadpool, it did manage to do something right where the MCU, sans Civil War, did wrong.
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