RANKING THE X-MEN FILMS

A series of genre-defining highs and almost franchise-ending lows, the X-Men film franchise is undoubtedly a staple of the Superhero movie genre. That being said, it’s no stranger to criticisms. But what is the worst entry of the lot? And what is the best?

Let’s start at the bottom.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine

*Wolverine shouting* Was it really that much of a surprise? The 2009 film was the series’ first spin off film, and as the title suggests, delved into the depths of Wolverine’s mysterious past. What it also did, was ruin quite a few characters all in one go. You know who I'm talking about. To make things worse, a boring story and terrible CGI made it even crapper.

X-Men: The Last Stand

“Charles Xavier did more for mutants than you will ever know. My single greatest regret is that he had to die for our dream to live.” 2006’s X-Men 3 saw one of the franchise’s most well-known stories be put to the big screen. And completely butchered. A change in director saw a film full of bad pacing, un-needed character deaths and the ruining of an X-Men classic. That being said, there was one part of the film I liked. When Professor X is killed by Phoenix, Magneto’s call to his fallen friend shows that even though that fell on different sides of the battle, there was still friendship there.

The Wolverine

“Go fuck yourself, pretty boy!” 2013’s The Wolverine saw the metal clawed mutant travel to Japan to meet an old friend. While I know some fans liked the film, I found it really boring. Too many actions scenes and not enough story development meant the only highlight of the film was the post credits scene featuring Magneto and the return of Professor X.

I’ll admit, from here the ranking got pretty difficult.

X-Men

“Mutation: it is the key to our evolution. It has enabled us to evolve from a single-celled organism into the dominant species on the planet. This process is slow, and normally taking thousands and thousands of years. But every few hundred millennia, evolution leaps forward.” The 2000 film saw the birth of the X-Men franchise. It saw Wolverine join the X-Men and take on the villainous Magneto. It still holds up great today, thanks to great CGI and top class storytelling. A definite highlight of the film was the chemistry between Patrick Stewart’s Professor X, and Ian McKellan’s Magneto, even if they were enemies. It was this film and the original Spider-Man movie which showed that comic book movies do work for modern audiences, and, as the movie was a 2-Hour metaphor for the LGBT movement, it resonated well with audiences.

X-Men: Apocalypse

“You are all my children, and you are lost, because you follow blind leaders.” The most recent entry into the franchise, 2016’s Apocalypse saw the rise of the first mutant from a 5000 year slumber, and a new generation of X-Men unite to stop him. While the story and special effects were strong, the pacing at times made the film seem confused with itself. Nether the less, it’s a great entry.

X-Men First Class

“I’ve been at the mercy of men just following orders. Never again.” 2011’s First Class is one of my favourite origin stories. It delves deep into the past of both Professor X and the hugely emotional history of Magneto. The story on the whole might not be the series’ best, but the film does a great job in introducing characters both new and old, and showing their powers in fun and funny ways.

X2: X-Men United

“Put the knives down!” “I can’t.” 2002’s entry did a good job in delving into Wolverine’s past whilst not forgetting the other mutants in the film. It saw several fan favourite characters bought to the big screen. Plus, who didn’t love watching Wolverine go full badass when the mansion got over-run? Or the opening scene with Nightcrawler?

X-Men: Days of Future Past

“Are we destined to destroy each other, or can we change each other and unite? Is the future truly set?” There was a long list of quotes I would have happily put there. 2014’s Days of Future Past, was, in my view, the series’ peak. Combining X-Men generations both new and old, the film saw Wolverine travel back in time to help the X-Men change the future. It was a great change to the usual plot line, and the addition of having the old cast back in their roles was great to see. Even if a few key players were over looked. The pacing never let itself down and the story is a classic.

So yeah…List done.