Film Review - Dark Phoenix (12A)

You are NOT broken.

There's discussion in this latest X-Men film as to whether Jean Gray, the 'Dark Phoenix' of the title, is indeed 'broken', or simply different like all the story's mutant heroes. Many X-fans are claiming with some justification, however, that the entire franchise was broken some time ago, due to the manner in which Days of Future Past's time-travel element wrecked its entire continuity. Add to that the fact that Dark Phoenix has a second stab at a plot-line first attempted in 2006's X-Men: The Last Stand and you've got a lot of negative press surrounding what will be the final movie in the saga. Setting all that aside though, and taking the new movie purely on its own merits, and dampening down any misplaced expectations of greatness - well, it's not a bad night out at the flicks.

It kicks off with a elementary school-age Jean Gray tapping into her latent telekinetic abilities in deeply traumatising circumstances. A mutant with formidable powers she is taken in by the young Professor Xavier to live and be educated in his 'School for Gifted Youngsters'. A decade or so later she's a fully fledged 'X-Man' (played once already by Sophie Turner in X-Men: Apocalypse), but - it turns out - lacking a full understanding of the dubious circumstances in which she entered the School. One space-mission-gone-wrong later she's invested/cursed with a mysterious cosmic power that intensifies her already extraordinary gifts, transforming her into a potentially devastating force. That's especially since a rift is developing between her and the adoptive mentor. Call it X-tension, if you like.

With all the critical negativity washing about, my experience of watching Dark Phoenix was basically waiting for it to get as bad as people were saying. Thing is, it never actually did - not to a Godzilla: King of the Monsters level of direness or anywhere close. The opening was arresting, startlingly so, and the tricky dynamic between Jean and Prof X was neatly established in the opening act. The latter (James McAvoy doing his best 'young Patrick Stewart') showed an unexpected layer of hubris that added to the role's complexity, while Turner's emotionally tortured turn as the eponymous Phoenix was terrific, like she was truly blossoming post-Sansa Stark/Game of Thrones. 

There were committed return performances from Nicholas Hoult (having a good year with The Favourite and Tolkien) and regular class-act Michael Fassbinder, even if neither was given a fully-fledged story arc. And franchise newcomer Jessica Chastain was in imperious form as cosmic entity - eh - Vuk. Add to that an effective build-up to a mid-point confrontation that landed considerable dramatic punch, some emotional character moments and a typically compelling score from Hans Zimmer and you've got a movie that's not so disastrous as some would have you believe.

But neither is it top-tier X-Men, or anywhere near the level of the franchise's best outings. The starry cast is working with sadly predictable dialogue (literally so - I kept successfully predicting how lines would end), and any intriguing character arcs established early on are more of less derailed in favour of a huge multi-character punch-up in the final act. (The rank and file X-Men get very little to do other than flex their powers now and then.) It's technically solid throughout, if a bit choppy in the way the bigger fight scenes are edited, but dramatically it fizzles out in a conclusion that wastes a whole lot of story potential. Hey, maybe we're all just spoiled following the satisfyingly complex storytelling in Avengers: Endgame.

Speaking of which, it's not insignificant that the rights for X-Men have reverted to Marvel, having been held for over twenty-five years by 20th Century Fox. That's a heartening thought for all fans of Professor X, Magneto and co, that sometime down the line the MCU may bring its consistently well-crafted storytelling to these beloved characters. Then we'd have something a bit less hit-and-miss - a franchise in which the films would all tie together, and where any given title would be more X-2 than Last Stand. In that kind of universe Dark Phoenix would be essential viewing, not merely-adequate screen filler.

Gut Reaction: Entertained for much of the running-time, with a few electric jolts along the way. Then it all went a bit 'meh'. 

Memorable Moment: Little Jean discovers her powers - the hard way.

Ed's Verdict: 6/10. Dark Phoenix has enough fine performances, powerful moments and intriguing character traits to provide that final vague sense - of missed opportunity.