Phoenix Sun.
114 Mins. Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Sophie Turner, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Tye Sheridan, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Alexandra Shipp, Evan Peters & Jessica Chastain. Director: Simon Kinberg.
Phoenix rise. From the burnt ashes of almost everything over all these years. 'Dark' has been delayed so much even Sophie Turner's throne taking co-star Maisie Williams' pushed back 'New Mutants' looks fresh. A lot fresher than this 22% attack of the buzz killer Rotten Tomatoes score anyway. It almost looked like the playing cards on the cutting room floor of Channing Tatum's Gambit movie was going to come out the ace in the hole before this (we wish. Look at Tatum's sequel to 'Kingsman' knockout shotgun, Statemen statement for another should be spin-off). All this straight out of the Fox hole for this X franchise running for almost twenty years and 12 movies in their last stand endgame against their Marvel Studios Avengers cinematic counterpart. All before the only franchise that could have stood blue toe to toe with them becomes absorbed into the castle of Mickey Mouse's Disney empire for all the toys to be played with in the same sandbox (guess whose peeing in it Wade?). And it'll be a real shame if these actors don't get to join the party too. So it's probably best to enjoy them now whilst they last. All this for late night host Jimmy Kimmel to spoil the major death (we won't) in this movie right after saying "this isn't a spoiler but". The look on the casts face was as priceless as what I wish the admission was to see this movie now I had the reveal curtain called for me before I even had chance to have them opened for me in theatres. Nice one Jimmy. Back to Fallon's desk slapping laughter and repeated imitation after every guests answered question it is (back to Fallon's desk slapping laughter and repeated imitation after every guests answered question it is). How much more bad press could 'Phoenix' get? It's almost like M.C.U. (look out for that Easter Egg) fans wrote the rotten tom...come on, we aren't going down that splattered road again. But after James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender's rebooted Professor Xavier and Magneto franchise truly was so 'First Class' they had to bring everyone from Patrick Stewart to Ian McKellen back for one of the best superhero movies of all-time (regardless of studio 'Dark Knight' DC) in 'Days Of Future Past'. Everything looked good for the most triumphant trilogy since 'The Lord Of The Rings' or the Godfather of Christopher Nolan. But then the apocalypse that was 'Apocalypse' happened. Despite having the best actor of the moment Oscar Isaac in it. His iconic villain looked make up chair apocalyptic on a 90's budget purple 'Power Rangers' level. Now however his 'A Most Violent Year' co-star Jessica Chastain (who would have also been perfect for the Phoenix) is here reuniting with James McAvoy like she will do this Summer too in 'IT Chapter Two' and with her 'Tree Of Life' son Tye Sheridan (like Fassbender did with 'Slow West's' nightcrawling Kodi Smit-McPhee, coming of age and stage here) to whisper in the flame haired ear of Jean Grey trading her traditional red head for the grey of a platinum blonde alien like when she went so raven like Jennifer Lawrence (questioning everything here with heart and soul feeling) for 'Molly's Game'. You can bet on her too with all the cards in this last stand remake that to be frank matches the fantastic Famke, flame to flame on.
Skewered 'Logan' fans beware however. Following the neo western and noir of his greatest show man, this is the first real X movie without Hugh Jackman's seemingly kebab aside indestructible Wolverine beast for your box office. His magazine cut-out likeness was even used in the Fox franchise saving 'Deadpool' meta movies that broke walls and balls. And how about that 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (still a fondly fun film in my opinion) timeline post-credit take at the end of 'Deadpool 2' too (the only blockbuster movie last year like Josh Brolin to rival his own 'Infinity War')? Don't scratch! There's no apocalyptic, machine head, classic clawed out the comic throwback cameo here. You want to see Logan run again? Go back to the classic 90's comic animation like most want to right now as this still does the "you are love Jean" Grey story better than anything else aside from the geek treated sacred origin graphic novel text. All this burning it down, yet 'Phoenix' still rises in a scorching summer where it has the blue flame of the 'King Of The Monsters' Godzilla to contend with along with the 'Always Be My Parabellum' of the man whose dog they killed, 'John Wick'. Not to mention lions, flying elephants and genies oh my. And every Avenger assembled for the last snap to dust like the ashes laid to rest here in the last X to mark the spot like 23 did with that cross. Rain soaks the singed flames of Phoenix Sophie Turner's Jean Grey (see above. It's not a "when the reviews come in for your new movie" meme) as the crowned 'Game Of Thrones' star rules this empire of X-Men and much more powerful women here in a downpour and downcast, critical and classic scene that just shows how essential and epic this actor truly is. Turner's turn and take on the Phoenix can withstand any fire. Even the hilarious, very British (from a Scot nonetheless) and somehow below the 'Split' multi-talented actors range of creative actings pay grade, "I don't know what to do" first trailer quote from McAvoy's Xavier that should have at least been turned into a Twitter troll meme response by now. Thank God that one ended up being cut like Gambit's deck. Still if I had the technical know how I would have turned it into a joke remix to The White Stripes classic 'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself'. Please someone do this. We only jest, McAvoy and this movie are still deserving more of our praise. Even if the character he studies isn't, as Xavier shows us the toxicity of ego on masculinity and the male manipulation poison of a saviour complex. And you'll have thought changing into a nice turtleneck sweater and chords before the team jet to an emergency was bad. But just wait until he gets his Fred Astaire up the stairs on. Yet with his saved Shyamalan shaved head he is still a 'Glass' cut above the rest. It's not all dark.
Explosive and bright. 'Phoenix' sets everything alight in the finale fireworks to celebrate a comic cinematic blockbuster spectacle that made Marvel movies matter way before the star spangled shield or the nuts and bolts of the billionaire, genius, philanthropist we love 3000 like Andre. Even if this is a little meh underwhelming at times and grounded for the event epic it's supposed to be. But besides there's so many superhero films that are good despite people saying they are bad. 'Iron Man 2'. 'Thor: The Dark World'. You know I'm going to say 'Batman v Superman'. Hell even the bright fury of David Ayer's 'Suicide Squad' and Jared Leto's Joker on second viewing is hilariously underrated. And this movie has Jessica Chastain in it...Jessica Chastain people. You know my obsession like Calvin Klein. She makes a formidable foe for our divided we fall heroes in what along with Stephen King's horror adaptation looks to be her blockbuster by the books year, just like the triple threat of 2016's 'Miss Sloane', 'Molly's Game' and 'The Zookeepers Wife' should have at least been an Academy Award nomination Oscar. Not one? Yeah I'm still talking about that like the injustice to 'Dawn Of Justice'. That aside all of the first class best are still here. Apart from Zoë Kravitz and all those Blink (Free Fan) and you'll miss 'ems. Although there are some new mutants here like a Medusa like dreadlock warrior who whips his hair back and forth. Don't get tangled up! But how about a fantastic Fassbender always bringing forth more of that Shakespearian tragedy to his conflicted villain like a classically trained Tom Hiddleston does his God of mischief Loki across all the realities? You knew when McAvoy saw these Stan Lee comic creations of frenemies as the peaceful/violent conflict mirrors of real life histories Martin Luther King Jr. and Malcolm X that these chess playing Marvel knights were truly on to something. Or 'Tolkien' star Nicholas Hoult Beast besting 'Frasier' Kelsey Grammar. 'Ready Player One' Tye Sheridan's visionary future of Cyclops we only wish we could see more of. The thunderbolts of lightning Storm of Alexander Shipp who as my friend and fellow writer Poet said, "Darth Sidious doesn't have s### on". And the Gonzalez gusto of Evan Peters 'Days Of' and 'Apocalypse' scene stealing, faster than a speeding 'Ultron' Quicksilver. Even if here he is slowed down with a shorter runtime. But still with the couple hours here and after pages and years of assisted screenplays, making his mutant Marvel directorial debut Simon Kinberg is King for this Phoenix Queen. From an out of this world, outstanding, opening NASA scene that has no problems in its Endeavour execution Houston. To a familiar home invasion and a terminating machine gun train heist finale. And even a "get to the chopper" reference in the face of a heat signature predator, bird of prey who power corrupts wrestles with the dichotomy of good versus evil with those same expressive hands that at one moment look like she stans for K-Pop juggernaut BTS and at others looks like she is helping Ross from 'Friends' move a couch. Pivot...PIVOT! Sit down and put your hands together for this one. Because this is it. Ashes to ashes. Thanos to Thanos. And this fire bird still flies even if it fizzles instead of flames out. Keep the fire burning. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'X-Men: Apocalypse', 'X-Men: The Last Stand', 'Game Of Thrones'.
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