First 'X-Men: Apocalypse' Reviews: Big, Bloated, and a Bit Boring

The early reviews of X-Men: Apocalypse have been released, and from the initial reaction, it looks like Bryan Singer’s latest entry into the mutant franchise is less than the sum of its many, many parts.

The film opened in London today, and as the review embargo lifted, critics filed their takes and took to Twitter to share them. Although this film Singer’s fourth series entry, it seems like what got churned out is a convoluted mess that is still trying to force too many mutants into a single narrative.

The Wrap was bored:

“With “X-Men: Apocalypse,” however, Singer seems to have acquired a new mutant power of his own: Monotony. Whether it’s the lack of an interesting villain, or the fact that the series’ time-travel element is forcing these mutants to meet each other (and the audience) all over again for the first time, this latest entry marks a shocking letdown from Singer’s earlier contributions; what once soared now slogs.”

Variety was also bored:

“If you’ve seen one cinematic apocalypse, you’ve seen them all. At least that’s the feeling conjured by “X-Men: Apocalypse,” the latest entry in one of the more reliable comic-book franchises around, this time disappointingly succumbing to an exhausting case of been-there-done-that-itis.”

The Hollywood Reporter was confused:

“Narratively jumbled and jammed with so many characters that you give up keeping them all straight while simultaneously lamenting not seeing more of those you might actually want around, Bryan Singer’s fourth entry in the enormously profitable series he inaugurated 16 years ago undeniably builds to a cataclysmic dramatic reckoning. But mostly it just feels like a bloated, if ambitious attempt to shuffle as many mutants and specially gifted characters as possible into a story of a resurrected god ready to take over the world.”

Individual critics around the internet were more divided than the trades’ reporters, though:

Specifically, reviewers have some thoughts on Bryan Singer’s direction:

And then, of course, some prevalent themes:

X-Men: Apocalypse hits America on May 27th, at which point you’ll be able to judge it for yourself.