With Deadpool and Wolverine providing some closure to the Fox universe of films, I figured I’d watch the only one I hadn’t seen.
I have not seen or heard good things about Dark Phoenix. So I set my expectations set to low. Heading in I wondered how the cast originally introduced in First Class (which I enjoy) were dealt with before these incarnations were left behind.
It turns out I hadn’t missed much. The cast are everything from OK to genuinely trying. But they’re failed by everything around them. The writing is flat. Action sequences are dull. Overall Dark Phoenix is lacklustre. It’s so flat I’m reminded of Kate Moss being invisible sideways on in Family Guy. For such a big story, and it being the second Fox has tried it, they can’t seem to elicit any kind of excitement or drama.
Tell a lie, I didn’t mind the opening space rescue sequence. Seeing the X-Men working as team in the Blackbird was a pretty cool way to start. But as soon as that’s done, meh. What Jessica Chastain is doing in this is beyond me. Bar some plot convenience I’ve no idea what she was.
Xavier dabbles with being a knob whilst constantly asking those around him to take him somewhere. And a whole fight takes places across a road. Quick, let’s get to the other side of the road! Oh my. I rarely call out individuals, but I think Simon Kinberg has had more than enough time with the X-Men, and not managed much.
Dark Phoenix isn’t offensive. It would have to elicit some emotion for that. A disappointing ending to the second version of Fox’s X-Men team. At least there’s Deadpool and Disney!
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