This review is about my personal thoughts, concerning the Dark Phoenix film. You don't have to agree. After all, having different opinions is one of the main things, that makes each person unique and interesting.
Before Seeing The Film:
When I first heard about the film and started seeing advertisements, I had some interest in it. This was primarily because of Sophie Turner. Although I'm no longer a Game of Thrones fan, I still really like her acting. I'm also a big fan of superheroes, so I was excited, to see her play a superhero. I heard lots of dread and negative feelings, from critics, when the film was being announced. That didn't stop me, from wanting to give the film a shot.
After Seeing The Film:
This film was better than I could of ever imagined. I saw potential in this film and instead of just living up to that potential, the film gave me an amazing experience, that I wasn't expecting.
I think the element, that surprised me the most, was the brilliant writing. A lot of recent superhero films have been comedies and, in some cases, parodies. Although those films are lighthearted and fun, I've been craving an emotionally moving superhero film, which is what Dark Phoenix is.
One of the main things, that makes protagonists and supporting characters interesting, is a compelling conflict. Since the story deals with Jean Gray being absorbed with evil energy, she has a lot of conflict to deal with. She's usually a good person, but she starts to become more dangerous than the actual X-Men villains, thanks to the mind-manipulating powers, that she was cursed with. In this film, Jean Gray is similar to Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Like Harvey, Jean is a character conflicted, about which side of morality to follow.
Although I was expecting Jean's arc to be emotional and interesting, I was pleasantly surprised, that she wasn't the film's only compelling character. Professor X has a lot more personality and conflict, than he usually does and his questionable choices and character development make him an engaging character. After seeing several episodes and films, where Magneto acts like a well-intentioned, but evil person, it was a refreshing change of pace, to see him be an anti-hero. Like Charles, he has a compelling subplot and goes through a lot of development and change, as the film goes on.
A nitpick is that Jean and Scott don't have enough scenes, with each other. However, they have a lot of chemistry and charm, during their scenes. Mystique has a limited amount of screen time, but she's an engaging character, during that time. Quicksilver is a good comedy relief, during his brief scenes. Beast has a strong character arc and he has an engaging conflict, with Professor X. Storm and Nightcrawler are also pretty good characters, even they don't have major roles.
The film's most hated character seems to be the film's main villain, Vuk. I found Vuk's motivation, to be a bit plain and I would of preferred some sympathetic qualities from her. However, I quite like her. She may be lacking a proper backstory, but she more than makes up for it, by being a menacing mastermind. She's so sneaky and clever, that it's easy to understand Jean hearing her out.
The film's acting was very good, especially from Sophie Turner. She does a great job, at making Jean a complex, conflicted, fascinating, and loveable protagonist. Jean has several types of emotions, that she has to deal with. Because of that, Sophie Turner had a lot to convey and she did a great job, at nailing every emotion Jean has. It's too bad, that Sophie will probably never get to play Jean, in more films. However, I'm very thankful, that she got to have a leading role, in a superhero film.
James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender both do really good jobs, at injecting personality and depth, into their performances and characters. I've heard people saying bad things, about Tye Sheridan, but I thought he gave a strong performances, as Cyclops. Jessica Chastain is an intimidating presence, as Vuk. She makes Vuk the freakiest comic-book villain, of 2019.
The film's effects and action scenes are both eloquently done. All of the film's action scenes are good. My favorite fight scene is Jean and Vuk's fight. All of the effects look good. It's a very pleasing and exciting film, to look at.
I know these opinions may seem strange, considering how much hatred this film got. My intention isn't to start arguments or upset people. I personally don't understand the hatred this film has gotten, because I think it's an emotionally impactful and exciting drama. Since the film has gotten such bad reception, I can't recommend it to everyone. However, I do think this film is worth your time and is worth getting a shot. It has a lot of emotional complexity and compelling drama, that more films should have.
Before Seeing The Film:
When I first heard about the film and started seeing advertisements, I had some interest in it. This was primarily because of Sophie Turner. Although I'm no longer a Game of Thrones fan, I still really like her acting. I'm also a big fan of superheroes, so I was excited, to see her play a superhero. I heard lots of dread and negative feelings, from critics, when the film was being announced. That didn't stop me, from wanting to give the film a shot.
After Seeing The Film:
This film was better than I could of ever imagined. I saw potential in this film and instead of just living up to that potential, the film gave me an amazing experience, that I wasn't expecting.
I think the element, that surprised me the most, was the brilliant writing. A lot of recent superhero films have been comedies and, in some cases, parodies. Although those films are lighthearted and fun, I've been craving an emotionally moving superhero film, which is what Dark Phoenix is.
One of the main things, that makes protagonists and supporting characters interesting, is a compelling conflict. Since the story deals with Jean Gray being absorbed with evil energy, she has a lot of conflict to deal with. She's usually a good person, but she starts to become more dangerous than the actual X-Men villains, thanks to the mind-manipulating powers, that she was cursed with. In this film, Jean Gray is similar to Harvey Dent/Two-Face. Like Harvey, Jean is a character conflicted, about which side of morality to follow.
Although I was expecting Jean's arc to be emotional and interesting, I was pleasantly surprised, that she wasn't the film's only compelling character. Professor X has a lot more personality and conflict, than he usually does and his questionable choices and character development make him an engaging character. After seeing several episodes and films, where Magneto acts like a well-intentioned, but evil person, it was a refreshing change of pace, to see him be an anti-hero. Like Charles, he has a compelling subplot and goes through a lot of development and change, as the film goes on.
A nitpick is that Jean and Scott don't have enough scenes, with each other. However, they have a lot of chemistry and charm, during their scenes. Mystique has a limited amount of screen time, but she's an engaging character, during that time. Quicksilver is a good comedy relief, during his brief scenes. Beast has a strong character arc and he has an engaging conflict, with Professor X. Storm and Nightcrawler are also pretty good characters, even they don't have major roles.
The film's most hated character seems to be the film's main villain, Vuk. I found Vuk's motivation, to be a bit plain and I would of preferred some sympathetic qualities from her. However, I quite like her. She may be lacking a proper backstory, but she more than makes up for it, by being a menacing mastermind. She's so sneaky and clever, that it's easy to understand Jean hearing her out.
The film's acting was very good, especially from Sophie Turner. She does a great job, at making Jean a complex, conflicted, fascinating, and loveable protagonist. Jean has several types of emotions, that she has to deal with. Because of that, Sophie Turner had a lot to convey and she did a great job, at nailing every emotion Jean has. It's too bad, that Sophie will probably never get to play Jean, in more films. However, I'm very thankful, that she got to have a leading role, in a superhero film.
James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender both do really good jobs, at injecting personality and depth, into their performances and characters. I've heard people saying bad things, about Tye Sheridan, but I thought he gave a strong performances, as Cyclops. Jessica Chastain is an intimidating presence, as Vuk. She makes Vuk the freakiest comic-book villain, of 2019.
The film's effects and action scenes are both eloquently done. All of the film's action scenes are good. My favorite fight scene is Jean and Vuk's fight. All of the effects look good. It's a very pleasing and exciting film, to look at.
I know these opinions may seem strange, considering how much hatred this film got. My intention isn't to start arguments or upset people. I personally don't understand the hatred this film has gotten, because I think it's an emotionally impactful and exciting drama. Since the film has gotten such bad reception, I can't recommend it to everyone. However, I do think this film is worth your time and is worth getting a shot. It has a lot of emotional complexity and compelling drama, that more films should have.
