We’d been hearing for a while that X-Men: Dark Phoenix would be pretty bad – and now, the first reviews for the film are out, and while reviews don’t necessarily always add up to what general filmgoers agree with – the Rotten Tomatoes score is pretty troubling. Currently, out of 56 reviews, the movie sits at 20%, with the Critics’ Consensus reading:
Dark Phoenix ends an era of the X-Men franchise by taking a second stab at adapting a classic comics arc — with deeply disappointing results.
Here are some of the reviews:
Seattle Times: “Phoenix” is a joyless addition to the long-running “X-Men” franchise – 12 movies over 18 years – and one is left with the impression that the series has been too long at the fair.
Washington Post: There’s way too much darkness, and not enough quicksilver wit.
TheWrap: In a strange way, it might have been preferable if this was the most embarrassing film in the series, since at least then there’d be a reason to remember it.
Business Insider: When your superhero movie hinges on a finale set on a train, you kind of know you’re doomed.
The Gate: Dark Phoenix simply sits there, patiently killing… time, with the hope that spectacle and an ensemble cast is enough to carry the load of its dreadfully thin script.
Tribune News Service: What’s truly amazing about “Dark Phoenix” is watching the charismatic, award-winning, star-packed cast flail about in this poorly written nonsense cartoon.
Some of the good reviews:
The List: Jean’s transformation into a baddie has been covered before, in 2006’s disappointing The Last Stand. The filmmakers wanted another stab. The result, for a time, is fantastic.
JoBlo: An inconsistent end to an inconsistent series, but perfectly watchable and entertaining.
TimeOut: It’s not nearly as good as ‘Logan’ or ‘X2’, but it’s a whole lot better than the eyeball-poking affliction that was ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’.
Some of the social media reactions:
Review tomorrow morning, but #XMen #DarkPhoenix is slightly better than you feared while still being almost entirely unremarkable in almost every way. This franchise deserved a better finale. Warts and all, X-MEN: THE LAST STAND (which I don’t hate) is a better movie. pic.twitter.com/3iCnqTJxQl
— Scott Mendelson (@ScottMendelson) June 5, 2019
Despite the press about production problems, #DarkPhoenix earns its rightful place in the #XMen series. With a somewhat episodic story, it contains several rather beautiful character moments – thanks to a committed cast – and engaging action. Zimmer’s score is the secret weapon. pic.twitter.com/kuqDynRnis
— Thor Diakow (@thordiakow) June 5, 2019
A number of the X-Men movies are some of my favorite superhero movies… #DarkPhoenix is not among them. It feels like the franchise is being put out of its misery rather than a powerful finish. Uneven, dull and at times looks cheap… incredibly disappointing. pic.twitter.com/4htTgP9AcO
— Simon Thompson (@ShowbizSimon) June 5, 2019
This is all I need to say about #DarkPhoenix. pic.twitter.com/seW3spIOzi
— Dan Casey (@DanCasey) June 5, 2019
I liked #DarkPhoenix more than I thought I would. It had some of the coolest action shots we’ve seen from the main X-men franchise. It’s better than #XMenApocalypse which is all I was really hoping for tbh. I’m whelmed. pic.twitter.com/s8UO9zP2rg
— Dorian Parks (@DorianParksnRec) June 5, 2019
So there you have it. If you’re a fan of all of the other X-Men movies, you’re probably going to be pretty disappointed in this one, but given all of the reports about the film, the massive reshoots and whatnot – you probably really shouldn’t be all that surprised.
X-Men: Dark Phoenix hits theaters everywhere on Friday.