Cynics amongst this recent age of non stop superhero blockbusters, who may be weary from the repeated bashing of the head by superheroes and their woes, may hold particular contempt and resentment for what is now the 7th instalment of the current X-men film series. Seventh! Change the record, the people must surely cry!
However these cynics would be wrong to label the film as flogging a dead horse, as the new life breathed into the series by X-men First Class is still apparent in this sequel.
The premise is an apocalyptic future in which the only to save the world is to stop it being destroyed in the first place. And so everyone’s favourite X-man, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) is sent back into his past self in order to save the day.
Despite the first X-men film in the series to have come out nearly 15 years ago in the year 2000, the film still manages to deliver fresh exciting action and drama.
One of the main themes of the X-men films has been mutants relationship’s with humans, and this one sees Peter Dinklage of Game of Thrones fame play a scientist who hates mutants and sees them as a threat, which causes him to attempt to turn the US government against them.
If you ignore the many plot holes that inevitably occur when attempting to tackle time travel as a plot device, the film is really quite fun and engaging. Particular praise must be given to Michael Fassbender who plays the cunning younger Magneto with a slightly darker edge than he did in First Class.
Interestingly in this male heavy superhero world in which we now find ourselves in, this film pays particular attention to Mystique, who is seen trying to battle with her own moral compass. It is slightly disappointing how sexualised Mystique is, what with her being constantly naked, but this is part and parcel for a story derived from comic books for young boys unfortunately.
Overall the film is a good watch, but don’t expect some kind of masterpiece, it is after all only an X-men film.