X-Men: Apocalypse

Well folks, it's Memorial Day, which is not only remembering the soldiers that have perished both past and present, but also it's a time for BBQ's and big-budget, high adrenaline films like "X-Men: Apocalypse". A couple of weeks ago I thought Hollywood forgot it was the summer movie season, but after this film, they may have been a bit slow on the draw, but it looks like we're in for a number of the films we've come to know and love.

Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse (David Isaac), the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel's X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. The year now is 1983. Upon awakening after thousands of years, Apocalypse is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto/Erik (Michael Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven/Mistique (Jennifer Lawrence) with the help of Professor Charles Xavier (James McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men, including Hank/Beast (Nicholas Hoult), Peter/Quicksilver (Evan Peters), Jean Grey (Sophie Turner) and Scott/ Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

Others to round out the cast are Rose Byrne as Moira Mactaggert, a CIA agent, Josh Helman as Col. William Stryker, Lucas Till as Alex/Havok, brother of Scott's, Kodi Smit-McPhee as Kurt Wagner/Nightcrawler, Ben Hardy as Angel, Alexandra Shipp as Ororo Munroe/Storm, Lana Condor as Jubilee and Olivia Munn as Psylocke.

This was directed by a filmmaker who's probably the king of directing these types of films, Bryan Singer ("The Usual Suspects" '95, "X-Men" 2000, "X-Men 2" '03, "Superman Returns" '06, "Valkyrie" '08, "X-Men: Days of Future Past" '14) plus others. It takes a honed director to bring all the characters together in a massive project as this and still convey the story at hand so as to guide the audience and Singer does this incredibly well. He's directed almost all of the installments of this franchise, so it's kind of his baby. It was written by the incomparable Simon Kinberg based on a story by Singer, Kinberg, Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris. This, unfortunately, is where the trouble ensues. Even though Kinberg, who solely wrote this screenplay, is a consummate and experienced writer, there were four people involved in the story of this which the screenplay is based on. I've said it before and I'll say it again, there are too many hands in the pot involved in this where the different ideas coming from all angles lend to too much choppiness and a diminished continuity. Kinberg and Singer should have been the only ones involved in the ideas of the story here with Kinberg writing the final screenplay. It would have been far more concise and clear in how the story was to be laid out. Trust me, it was an admiral attempt, especially with all the avenues used for ideas, but stick with less people involved and it just goes smoother. And, of course, the visual effects predominantly designed by MPC (Moving Picture Company), Digital Domain and Rising Sun Pictures were absolutely seamless, but one would have to be living under a rock not to realize this.

This is the quintessential summer flick replete with explosions, tons of action, high adrenaline-- all the elements to keep those 18-34 single males in those seats--ca-ching! But hey, this is summer and this is why we go to the multiplex during this time of year-- to escape and zone on some of the best fluff money can buy. Enjoy!

Out of 4 Stars: 3                                  Rated: PG-13                                 144mins.