The X-Men universe is finally over, as we know it, after kicking off this parade of superheroes back in 2000. Thanks to some hefty source material, the franchise allowed for some interesting social issues to be explored. Because of their sheer population and ability, mutants are treated as threatening minorities rather than superheroes. Racism, ethics, governmental cynicism, and personal vengeance are ingrained throughout the mythology. In hindsight, the films were a solid run, with the majority garnering positive reception. The series was also frequently cast very well. It often featured stylish direction, great CGI, compelling music, and wasn’t afraid to embrace new creative voices. Here’s how fans rated the best and worst of this memorable, unique franchise.
Worst: X-Men: Apocalypse - 6.9
This film had a tough act to follow, but that wasn’t its core issue. It was simply a somewhat messy, overlong, and generic superhero movie. It wasn’t without its moments, to be sure. Magneto’s drama is always compelling, and his apparently never-ending tragedy is deliberately the character’s hurdle. Quicksilver gets a fantastic slow-mo scene, Wolverine wrecks a hallway, and the opening in ancient Egypt is superb. But every highlight is undone by something senseless or haphazard, resulting in a very uneven story. For example, the copout of Quicksilver withholding his secret from Magneto was an absolute letdown. The final fight is excessively overlong, and the story really jumps around.
Best: X-Men: First Class - 7.7
X-Men: The Last Stand made an incredible amount of money, but it wasn’t exactly a critical darling. And after Wolverine’s solo outing was a disaster, the series needed serious rejuvenation. And Matthew Vaughn, hot off of the brilliant Kick-Ass, brought bold ideas and enthusiasm that radiates from every scene.
The young cast all fit their characters perfectly. But the driving force of the film is the relationship between Xavier and Magneto. Eric’s path of vengeance provides thrilling action and sincere drama. This story explores all of the most interesting elements of the mythology with verve, superb character development, and outstanding action.
Worst: The Wolverine - 6.7
Wolverine was the focus of the original trilogy, and yet he still got his own spin-off series. It’s a testament to Hugh Jackman’s unexpectedly iconic portrayal. This particular entry was certainly a vast improvement over the first attempt at these spin-offs. And the premise of sending Logan to Japan sounded very promising, indeed. The problem is that this movie had an identity crisis. It wasn’t a splashy superhero outing with countless mutants, where its predecessor unfortunately fell into an outright cartoonish tone. But The Wolverine wasn’t gritty enough to provide the truth in its titular character, either. As such, it doesn’t feel like an X-Men movie, or a Wolverine movie. But the worst offense is that the film was just terribly dull.
Best: Deadpool 2 - 7.7
Alright, so they killed Vanessa, which is definitely a copout move. It makes sure that Deadpool 2 won’t have the organic, superb romance that made the first so endearing. But this sequel certainly makes the most of it, because anguish is at the heart of the protagonist. The comedy is on point throughout, most of it absolute gold—again!
The new characters are terrific, and the moral dilemmas are compelling. It’s conceptually perfect that the X-Force is what helps Wade recuperate from losing Vanessa. It really is a fantastic family movie. It also has fun, gratuitous gore, exciting action, and genuine drama.
Worst: X-Men: The Last Stand - 6.7
Bryan Singer got the opportunity to direct Superman Returns, and abandoned ship from the franchise he’d built. It was ultimately a very messy production, and even the most expensive movie ever made, at that time. The primary issues with the film included an overpopulation of characters, and tug-of-war screenplay. It failed to give enough time to either the Dark Phoenix saga or the “Cure” storyline. It’s a shame, because both had great promise. Further, Brett Ratner’s juvenile tone didn’t quite feel on brand. The cinematography is slick, the action is visually arresting, and certain moments genuinely deliver—Xavier’s death scene is legitimately tragic. The story was simply too messy, and its tone unwelcome.
Best: X-Men: Days Of Future Past - 8.0
This was a perfect blend of the new cast with the classic, and a terrific adaptation of the source material. The dystopian future instantly raises the stakes, and sustains a terrifying urgency throughout. The film is full of intriguing themes, with a climax that is entirely predicated on mercy. The time travel element is actually handled exceptionally well, and the setting in time is thematically fitting.
It was a turbulent decade, and the secret histories are fun. Quicksilver is a fun, well-performed addition. The Sentinels, and everything else, are visualized exceptionally well. The action is engaging, the pacing is perfectly balanced, and the character motivations are clear and interesting.
Worst: X-Men Origins: Wolverine - 6.6
There are very few insults left to throw at this movie, but it’s certainly a miserable time. Firstly, it’s obvious enough that the film absolutely ruins Deadpool. Reynolds had to personally shoot that iteration in the head multiple times. But worse, the story even butchers Wolverine himself. The story is boring, and the CGI is awful. Most of all, the tone is mercilessly inane. It completely compromises the entire conceit of the story because it is wholly antithetical to Wolverine. There’s a ridiculous fight with the Blob, Sabretooth is a joke, and we learn the origin of Logan’s jacket. Ultimately, the film never provides a reason for its existence.
Best: Deadpool - 8.0
It’s fascinating that the spin-offs took three of the top five rankings on IMDb. But Deadpool was successful because of its fearless depiction of the titular character. Sure, it’s over the top, but the story is grounded in a very sincere romance. Wade’s new relationship informs absolutely everything in the film. Also, his origin is uniquely rooted in illness, which is handled well. But the comedy is non-stop, and is still well-balanced, without a single miss. There’s just the right blend of pop culture, meta humor, and creative slapstick. The action is addictive, and inventive. It is the most truthful portrayal of Deadpool imaginable, and more so than most other comic book characters have received.
Worst: Dark Phoenix - 6.0
It may be a controversial view, but perhaps this movie received undue hatred. Audiences had tired of the franchise by this point, and were keen for Marvel’s interpretation. Arms were crossed after the third entry, and Apocalypse. But truthfully, this was a surprisingly intimate story. The ethics of Xavier’s secret is stressed, and Mystique’s death inspires some solid drama. It’s certainly the catalyst for many motivations. The serious tone is appropriate, and McAvoy and Fassbender always give gripping performances.
The movie has more going for it than most would probably think. However, the aliens and their goals were generic, to be sure. This resulted in a formulaic plot, which is actually much slower in comparison to previous films. So, if you aren’t invested, you’ll really feel that runtime. Unfortunately, Sophie Turner’s performance doesn’t feel especially engaged, and Jean’s epiphany about “emotion” is totally misplaced.
Best: Logan - 8.1
The success of this film is further proof that fans truly understand their comic book characters. Because, just like Deadpool, this movie captures the absolute essence of its protagonist. Logan is a tough, gritty character with surprising empathy and adamant principles. True, the story incorporates some tired ingredients, regarding its villain and tropes from the Western genre. But it’s a relentlessly bleak, bloody story that is unique amongst fellow superhero conventions. It is also strongly character-oriented, with stunning, nuanced performances. The action is also very striking because of its practical stunts, and the intimate motivations behind it. It’s a tale of redemption, and a perfect sendoff for the series’ most beloved mutant.