Recommendation: 3/5 Stars, STREAM

Plot: “Jean Grey begins to develop incredible powers that corrupt and turn her into a Dark Phoenix. Now the X-Men will have to decide if the life of a team member is worth more than all of humanity.” -IMDB

Review: On paper, the characters inside of the X-Men universe should be just as dynamic as anything else from Marvel. These characters face discrimination, alienation, internment, and social stigma. They are an evolutionary step forward yet must wrestle with the real-world consequences of their very being. This creates drama ripe for the picking. Yet, except for “Logan,” we haven’t been treated to a film that has capitalized on this potential. Instead, we’ve been served a never-ending pissing contest between Professor X and Magneto. In the latest installment, Jean Gray serves as just one more weapon in their war and it all starts in space.

On a rescue mission just beyond Earth’s atmosphere, the X-Men are called into action to save astronauts. While on their mission, they encounter a strange cosmic force the embodies Jean Gray. Suddenly, she is consumed by the powers of the Phoenix; a power that will leave her unhinged and with unmatched strength. It then becomes the overarching theme of this film whether our band of outcasts should save one person or all of humanity.

Rationally, saving all of humanity should be the correct choice, but we don’t go to the movies for rational choices. We are enthralled by comic book movies, because the case is often made that if we can save one, then we can save them all. For Jean’s part, she finds herself torn between two worlds. This undue burden is not of her choosing. Secrets and a dark past complicate the path before our heroes even more. Without a doubt, Jean becomes worth saving and the great drama of this film is born.

With this choice, a war begins. This leads to some of the best action scenes in the entire franchise; the battle on the train being a personal favorite. In the end, this is a tale about family. Not the family we are born into, rather the family we choose. This is an important lesson to remember from a movie with an otherwise paper-thin plot. For that reason, I recommend you stream this one.

Be good to each other,

-Nathan

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