6 things nobody wants to admit about X-Men: Apocalypse

6 things nobody wants to admit about X-Men: Apocalypse

As a huge fan of the X-Men franchise, I have to admit that “X-Men: Apocalypse” was a rollercoaster ride for me. The film had its fair share of issues, but there were also some truly remarkable performances that left me in awe.


The Fox version of the X-Men franchise experienced ups and downs during its twenty-year film career. A notable peak was the introduction of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine, whose portrayal has become iconic and is often regarded as one of the best in comic book adaptations. Furthermore, there were some exceptional movies produced over this period, including “X-Men,” “X-2: X-Men United,” “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” and “Logan,” which all received rave reviews.

At the less favorable end of the spectrum, you’ll find movies like “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” and the heavily criticized “Dark Phoenix.” In comparison, “X-Men: Apocalypse” sits somewhere in the middle.

In 2016, this movie was unveiled with an intriguing twist: its storyline was based on the fresh timeline created by “Days of Future Past” and featured many familiar faces. The actors who previously starred in the prequels, including James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, and Rose Byrne, returned to reclaim their roles. Additionally, Hugh Jackman made a brief appearance as Wolverine, and Oscar Isaac joined the ensemble as the main antagonist.

The Apocalypse film didn’t fully build upon the success of Days of Future Past, leaving some fans disappointed. They believed the iconic X-Men antagonist was underutilized and the plot was overly complicated. However, there are aspects of this movie, both positive and negative, that people tend to keep quiet about.

6 things nobody wants to admit about X-Men: Apocalypse

6. It basically tells the same story as Avengers: Age of Ultron

For some time now, the films “X-Men: Apocalypse” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron” have been drawn parallel to one another occasionually. This is primarily due to the presence of varying portrayals of Quicksilver in both productions. However, have you considered that these movies share more similarities than you might initially assume, particularly in their plotlines?

Consider this: A mighty and conceited being harbors a desire to obliterate the world to remake it according to their own vision. To carry out this plan, they seek assistance from younger, formidable beings. However, these beings betray the all-powerful entity and join forces with the heroes, leading to an epic battle where the villain is vanquished through collective power blasts, culminating in the youngest, potent female character delivering the decisive blow.

The irony lies in the fact that “Apocalypse” and “Age of Ultron,” despite having complex storylines, were both criticized for their lackluster depictions of their main antagonists. While the Marvel Studios production drew larger crowds, it has also faced backlash for similar issues, such as the unimpressive design and characterization of Ultron.

The film “Age of Ultron” is more powerful, yet it’s quite intriguing that two films derived from Marvel Comics and including a Quicksilver character came out with remarkably similar storylines so close together in time.

5. The Quicksilver scene is even better than the previous one

Each time Quicksilver makes an entrance, time comes to a halt. In simple terms, it’s as if time freezes when he’s around. Similarly, viewers are left in awe when they see Peter Maximoff on their screens. The anticipation builds up every single time, and the result is always extraordinary.

In “Days of Future Past,” Evan Peters’ quick character, Quicksilver, left a significant mark with his amusing intervention, where he circled the kitchen at an incredible speed and deactivated the security system, all while indulging in some food and delighting in the experience. This scene stood out as one of the film’s finest moments. It’s worth noting that Quicksilver’s antics in “Apocalypse” were equally impressive and deserving of more recognition.

While a larger problem doesn’t necessarily lead to a superior solution, exceptionally so in this instance. Witnessing Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters on the verge of an imminent blast, Quicksilver sprang into motion. He swiftly circumnavigated the entire mansion, rescuing all inhabitants within mere seconds. He managed to save every single person, even the long-term X-Men members, and found time afterward to save some fish, enjoy himself, and deliver judgments.

As a gamer, I can’t help but feel on top of the world when I pull off an incredible feat, like beating a particularly challenging level. And what makes it even sweeter? Listening to “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics in the background. Let me tell you, nothing beats that feeling of triumph and great music together.

4. Moira MacTaggert has nothing to do

I was thrilled when Moira MacTaggert reappeared on the scene in X-Men: Apocalypse after a noticeable absence in X-Men: Days of Future Past. I’d been impressed with Rose Byrne’s performance in X-Men: First Class, so it felt like a missed opportunity that she wasn’t part of the sequel. But when I heard she was coming back for X-Men: Apocalypse, I was elated and looked forward to seeing her contribution to the story once again.

Moira significantly contributed to finding Apocalypse’s tomb in the 2016 film, but her character seemed unsure of her place within the storyline. Despite having a deep connection with Charles Xavier as his former lover, her role became secondary due to her lack of involvement in the plot. This was partly because she was a new version of Moira, with her memories erased by Charles for protection. Consequently, she mostly appeared on the sidelines, questioning and observing from a distance, appearing somewhat bewildered.

Moira significantly contributed to the film by being an integral part of the story, yet found herself predominantly responding to various developments rather than driving the action. The character’s role was constrained due to the mind-wipe backstory, leaving room for speculation about her relevance in the narrative. In truth, Moira and Rose Byrne’s talents merited more substantial roles.

6 things nobody wants to admit about X-Men: Apocalypse

3. This Cyclops is better than the original trilogy’s

In X-Men: Apocalypse, we were introduced to the earlier version of Scott Summers, better known as Cyclops, from the X-Men prequel series. His brother, Alex Summers or Havok, made appearances whenever he displayed his distinctive optic blasts. However, neither Scott nor we anticipated that he would transform into a full-fledged superhero and save the world from destruction. It’s all part of being an X-Man.

Tye Sheridan’s depiction of the younger Scott in this production showed less self-assurance and confidence compared to his comic book character counterpart. He hadn’t fully acquired the necessary leadership abilities yet. However, his portrayal surpassed the previous representation of the character from the initial X-Men movie trilogy.

James Marsters shone as the adult Cyclops in those three films, yet his potential was greatly underestimated. The on-screen Cyclops failed to embody the respected X-Men leader portrayed in the comics. Instead, he was mostly confined to grumbling, a role I’m sure any actor would find disappointing given their expectation of portraying one of the key X-Men characters.

In simpler terms, the prequels didn’t have to try hard to overshadow the earlier portrayal of Scott in X-Men, but they managed to do so much more. They gave us a complex, enjoyable, and engaging version of the character that truly lived up to the hype of his comic book persona, even if it wasn’t entirely true to the source material.

Tye Sheridan’s portrayal of Scott Summers in live-action stands out as the most impressive to date. Let’s make sure we discuss this further.

6 things nobody wants to admit about X-Men: Apocalypse

2. Oscar Isaac is thrilling as Apocalypse

The film “X-Men: Apocalypse” encountered several problems, one of which was the design and portrayal of its main villain, Apocalypse. However, Oscar Isaac’s acting as this character was not among these issues.

He not only brought the unconventional character design to life brilliantly, but also delivered a powerful performance in the role. Initially holding back, he became increasingly dominant as the story unfolded. This effective portrayal played a significant role in persuading viewers that Apocalypse deserved his intimidating reputation as Earth’s first mutant and instilled fear in them.

In the movie, Apocalypse’s skill in deceitfully influencing others, showcased by Oscar-worthy performances from Isaac, is a standout aspect. Sadly, the script developers didn’t delve deeper into this intriguing character trait. As events intensified on screen, Apocalypse slipped into increasingly clichéd villain behavior. Nevertheless, Isaac’s commitment to portraying the role authentically was unwavering and impressive.

Oscar Isaac brought the X-Men’s most terrifying villain to life in an impressive way despite the unconventional appearance and overused lines, demonstrating the power of his acting skills. Imagine how breathtakingly scary he could have made the character if the adaptation had stayed truer to the comics.

6 things nobody wants to admit about X-Men: Apocalypse

1. Michael Fassbender’s Magneto was the best part of the movie

Despite any criticisms of “X-Men: Apocalypse,” there’s no denying that Magneto’s portrayal was excellently done. Michael Fassbender’s depiction of Magneto stands out as the best part of Fox’s X-Men prequels. Although we’ve seen his backstory unfold numerous times in these films, Fassbender’s subtle nuances make each portrayal feel fresh and engaging.

In the 2016 film, the man who previously aimed to annihilate humanity underwent a change. He discovered joy in human existence, forming a family with his spouse before they had a child. Unfortunately, they were later taken away from him, causing Magneto, portrayed brilliantly by Fassbender, to turn against mankind once more due to his profound sadness. We may not have wanted this outcome for the character, but we could relate to his reasons.

Having worked as a film critic for over a decade, I’ve seen my fair share of superhero movies, and I must admit that there are some that leave a deeper impact than others. One such arc that comes to mind is Magneto’s storyline in “X-Men: Apocalypse.” Initially, I was hesitant about the implementation of this character in the film due to mixed reception. However, upon rewatching it and reflecting on my initial judgment, I’ve come to appreciate its significance.

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2024-07-17 03:31

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