Dark Phoenix (aka X-Men: Dark Phoenix) is a comic book film based on the Marvel Comics' team the X-Men. It's the twelfth installment of the X-Men film series, a direct sequel to X-Men: Apocalypse, and the final film in the X-Men main series. The film is produced by 20th Century Fox, Bad Hat Harry Productions, The Donners' Company, Marvel Entertainment, and TSG Entertainment and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Dark Phoenix is written and directed by Simon Kinberg.
The story is it's been nearly a decade since the events of X-Men: Apocalypse. Since then the X-Men are seen as national heroes and with that they are often called upon for missions considered to risky for normal humans. After being hit by a solar flare from a rescue mission from space Jean Grey has been losing control of her abilities. With this uncontrolled power the Phoenix is released and it spells danger for everyone.
The story is it's been nearly a decade since the events of X-Men: Apocalypse. Since then the X-Men are seen as national heroes and with that they are often called upon for missions considered to risky for normal humans. After being hit by a solar flare from a rescue mission from space Jean Grey has been losing control of her abilities. With this uncontrolled power the Phoenix is released and it spells danger for everyone.
Initial Reaction
Now I've been with this franchise since the very beginning. So you can imagine how sad I was to hear that this was going to be the final X-Men film in the main series, and with it being the final film I definitely wanted to see it. Then we had the trailers and in all honesty I don't understand the hate for them (I really really REALLY don't understand how people can say this is just another X-Men: The Last Stand. That one is just stupid). I guess maybe the second one since it's a bit spoilery. None the less they all made me interested in seeing the movie.
Cons
My biggest issue with the movie is this didn't really feel like a true ending to a franchise. There's nothing about it that said this is the end. I mean I understand at first this wasn't supposed to the final film because Kinberg did go on record how there was going to be more X-Men films with this cast but then the whole Disney-Fox deal happened. But what I mean is even though that deal occurred they still could have done a lot more to make this feel like the end of an era. It didn't have be a big overly flashy ending just something that would have been a really good farewell. The other issue I had was there was this nagging feeling in me that said "this movie seems like it was cut short". It might seem weird that I'm bringing this up but I just needed to get it off my chest (and if this flick was indeed cut fingers crossed for an extended cut).
Middle Ground
One thing I found to be in a gray area on is the character development. There are at times when there moments are good but then there are the other times when the writers really should have put just a tiny bit more effect.
Pros
One thing I really enjoyed about Dark Phoenix was Hans Zimmer's score. His music throughout the whole thing was just beautiful. The other thing I liked about the movie and this was something a friend of mine was discussing was this actually felt more like a Dark Phoenix story then what X-Men: The Last Stand was trying to pull. Because with Last Stand it was a cure story with tiny bits of Dark Phoenix with this it's a full Dark Phoenix story. Another thing this movie did well was the action. Mainly in the final act. That's were it's full on mutant powers on display. Not bad for something that was completely reshot. The final thing I'll give the film credit where credit is do is the performances. Mostly for James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Sophie Turner. Once again McAvoy and Fassbender continued to have great chemistry but Sophie Turner was just...wow. She really pulled off playing two different versions of the same character.
Dark Phoenix may not be the best X-Men movie but it is by no means the worst even if some critics are trying to spin it that way. Zimmer's score gets a thumbs up, the story really should be getting credit for focusing on the Dark Phoenix, the action was fun to watch, and the performances from McAvoy, Fassbender, and Turner are spectacular. Character development could have use a bit more work. The only issues I had were not feeling like the final chapter in a series and a runtime that should be longer (seriously can we get please get an extended cut of some sort)?
My final rating is Okay
So yes I enjoyed Dark Phoenix for the most part. I really don't understand the overall hate but besides that give this movie a watch. Other than that that's going to do it for me. Come back on Monday, June 10th for my review of The Secret Life of Pets 2. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.
Now I've been with this franchise since the very beginning. So you can imagine how sad I was to hear that this was going to be the final X-Men film in the main series, and with it being the final film I definitely wanted to see it. Then we had the trailers and in all honesty I don't understand the hate for them (I really really REALLY don't understand how people can say this is just another X-Men: The Last Stand. That one is just stupid). I guess maybe the second one since it's a bit spoilery. None the less they all made me interested in seeing the movie.
Cons
My biggest issue with the movie is this didn't really feel like a true ending to a franchise. There's nothing about it that said this is the end. I mean I understand at first this wasn't supposed to the final film because Kinberg did go on record how there was going to be more X-Men films with this cast but then the whole Disney-Fox deal happened. But what I mean is even though that deal occurred they still could have done a lot more to make this feel like the end of an era. It didn't have be a big overly flashy ending just something that would have been a really good farewell. The other issue I had was there was this nagging feeling in me that said "this movie seems like it was cut short". It might seem weird that I'm bringing this up but I just needed to get it off my chest (and if this flick was indeed cut fingers crossed for an extended cut).
Middle Ground
One thing I found to be in a gray area on is the character development. There are at times when there moments are good but then there are the other times when the writers really should have put just a tiny bit more effect.
Pros
One thing I really enjoyed about Dark Phoenix was Hans Zimmer's score. His music throughout the whole thing was just beautiful. The other thing I liked about the movie and this was something a friend of mine was discussing was this actually felt more like a Dark Phoenix story then what X-Men: The Last Stand was trying to pull. Because with Last Stand it was a cure story with tiny bits of Dark Phoenix with this it's a full Dark Phoenix story. Another thing this movie did well was the action. Mainly in the final act. That's were it's full on mutant powers on display. Not bad for something that was completely reshot. The final thing I'll give the film credit where credit is do is the performances. Mostly for James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, and Sophie Turner. Once again McAvoy and Fassbender continued to have great chemistry but Sophie Turner was just...wow. She really pulled off playing two different versions of the same character.
Dark Phoenix may not be the best X-Men movie but it is by no means the worst even if some critics are trying to spin it that way. Zimmer's score gets a thumbs up, the story really should be getting credit for focusing on the Dark Phoenix, the action was fun to watch, and the performances from McAvoy, Fassbender, and Turner are spectacular. Character development could have use a bit more work. The only issues I had were not feeling like the final chapter in a series and a runtime that should be longer (seriously can we get please get an extended cut of some sort)?
My final rating is Okay
So yes I enjoyed Dark Phoenix for the most part. I really don't understand the overall hate but besides that give this movie a watch. Other than that that's going to do it for me. Come back on Monday, June 10th for my review of The Secret Life of Pets 2. Until then enjoy the rest of your day.
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