X-Men: Apocalypse (2016): Big Bad Blue and the End of the World (Again) 💥🌀

Directed by Bryan Singer, X-Men: Apocalypse goes full ancient mutant mythology, but not always in the best way. It’s set in the 1980s, gives us younger versions of the original team, and tries to raise the stakes with an all-powerful villain... but let’s just say, not everything hits like Days of Future Past did.

Starring James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, and Oscar Isaac as the titular villain (yes, that is him under the blue makeup), the movie looks cool, feels epic—but struggles to find its soul.

Plot Summary
The ancient mutant En Sabah Nur (aka Apocalypse) wakes up after thousands of years and is Not Impressed™ with modern civilization. He gathers four new Horsemen—Magneto included—and plans to literally tear down the world and build a new one on its ashes.

Meanwhile, Xavier’s school is growing, with new students like Jean Grey (Sophie Turner), Cyclops (Tye Sheridan), and Nightcrawler. It’s up to the young X-Men, Mystique, and Beast to stop Apocalypse before he hits the “end the world” button.

Performances & Direction
Michael Fassbender, once again, brings tragic depth to Magneto—even when he’s busy levitating cities. McAvoy is excellent as always, and Sophie Turner does solid work as young Jean, though she doesn’t get much to do until the final act. Oscar Isaac, sadly, is buried under too much makeup and dramatic monologuing to be truly scary. Jennifer Lawrence phones it in a little this time, and we kinda get why.

Direction-wise, it’s visually ambitious with some striking scenes (like Magneto’s forest breakdown and the world-disintegrating finale), but the plot gets bloated. And Apocalypse just doesn’t quite pop as a villain. Not even in a meme-worthy way.

My Review
Apocalypse tries to go big—too big. It throws everything at the wall: gods, pyramids, global destruction, mutant cameos, angsty teens—but forgets the quiet heart that made the last movie so good.

Still, it's not without merit. There’s something powerful about watching young mutants step into their own, especially Jean Grey’s fiery rise. It’s also about identity—can we change who we are? Are we doomed to repeat the past? And most importantly: will Magneto ever catch a break?

The film doesn’t quite stick the landing, but it’s still a fun ride with enough action, nostalgia, and mutant moments to keep you watching.

Just... maybe don’t expect deep storytelling from a blue dude in armor yelling about cleansing the Earth.