X-Men: Apocalypse

As of now, big studio Hollywood is raking in the millions with these movies that are husks coated in comic book primary colours. If you've had a rough week, and desire the anesthetization that such films specialize in, then X Men: Apocalypse will certainly give you bang for your buck. If not, head for the nearest comic book store instead. Those characters - mere drawings on the page - are more alive than their celluloid representations.

X-Men Apocalypse falls short of its predecessors when it comes to entertainment. It is strictly for the X-Men fans since the rest would find themselves highly confused!

Grant Major's production design, Louise Mingenbach's distinctive costumes, cinematographer Newton Thomas Sigel's fluid combo work with visual effects designer John Dykstra and editor-composer John Ottman's multitalented effusiveness allows for a smoothly integrated take-off and subsequent voracious display of action that sieges into a mind-boggling array of firepower that is imposing if not overpowering. So if you are willing to sit through all those discordant dynamics, the payoff becomes justified.

The flaw lies not in the acting prowess of the cast or in the flattering action, but in the screenplay. The baddies are not menacing enough, especially Apocalypse, whose undefined powerful persona runs out of steam. It is usually not a good sign when the climax is devoid of suspense and mass-scale destruction fails to invoke fear.

Singer's latest film is overloaded with action and computer-generated mayhem to conceal its own shortcomings: it has nothing new to say.

Overall, "X-Men: Apocalypse" with conflicting passions among its characters is neither lucid nor exciting.

Compared to the energetic Days Of Future Past, this is awful! The flashbacks and the repetition of scenes get to you after a point of time. Visually, it's very good but come on! For good visuals, I could just stare at the superhero screensaver on my laptop and not spend my time and money in the theatre. Even for X-Men fans, this is a one-time watch!

The film's story is quite linear, as per X-Men standards, and is quite easy to follow. The VFX are insane and will blow your mind away for sure. Everyone seems to have gotten their fair share of limelight – right from Jean Grey to Quicksilver to Nightcrawler. There are funny moments that are signature Marvel. And as all Marvel movies go, do stay till all the end credits roll away- trust us!

Overall, this may not be the best superhero film ever and you might come out of it releasing that there's a sequel too many out there. Despite being all too familiar, this Marvel package deal does give a bang for your buck.

All in all, Apocalypse feels like the rise of a new generation of X-Men characters that could easily take the franchise to new heights of glory, if only Singer works hard at keeping things tight. Watch it once.

This god-fearing X-Men film suggests the franchise is out of ideas...

At almost two-and-a-half hours, in spite of collapsing cities, new characters and a Wolverine cameo, X-Men: Apocalypse offers so little over such a long running time.