Happy Top 10 Tuesday (on a Saturday, cause yes I forgot to post my rankings for this week). We’re doing a fun one for the release of Deadpool 2: the top 10 X-Men films!
Honorable Mention: actually, we’re not gonna include X-Men Origins: Wolverine…
10. X-Men: Apocalypse- This one is pretty rough, from a pretty terrible villain to some horrible superhero movie tropes, and a bland cinematic visual experience. There isn’t too much to admire here except for maybe some performances. That’s why it’s at the bottom.
9. X-Men: The Last Stand- Not a fan of this one. This was shockingly the first one I saw, and I couldn’t believe how messy and all over the place it was. The plot lines didn’t sync up for me, and the CGI was embarrassingly bad to me. I did like some of the characters, which is why I was engaged enough to keep up with the franchise. But I’m glad it only got better from here.
8. The Wolverine- So much better than the X-Men: Origins Wolverine. But also not that much beyond Hugh Jackman’s excellent performance and some cool action. It’s boring at times and the side characters are some of the least memorable in all the franchise.
7. X-Men- The original is by no means bad, but like every “original,” there is so much exposition that it truly doesn’t heat up until…
6. X2- The sequel! This showed that the series had longevity and had the capability of becoming great. The characters had more to them this time around, and we were treated to a really cool story that would stand the test of superhero time. One of the better sequels in the franchise (next to our number 5 and 3 picks).
5. Deadpool 2- I liked this movie, didn’t love it. It’s still fresh, so there’s a good chance this will end up either higher or lower on repeat viewings. I do appreciate the action in this, for it is ten times better than the original. But the comedy is about the same, and the plot is even more chaotic and busy than the first. Is this a bad thing? For a film, usually. For a Deadpool film, it’s not terrible. I don’t think it’s the smash hit I was expecting it to be, but I did enjoy it and think Ryan Reynolds is a true treasure.
4. X-Men: First Class- I don’t know whether I like Days of Future Past or First Class better, but they are both so good. Maybe it’s recency bias, but I really think the two bring a nice fresh outlook to the franchise itself, as well as the main characters of Magneto and Professor X. James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender brought this franchise to new heights and truly deliver in every aspect. A great origin to reimagined characters we learned to love all over again.
3. X-Men: Days of Future Past- Combining new and old in one big extravaganza of nerd extremity. That is this film. And it’s a dang good one. I said a lot about it in the past film, First Class, but the way we are able to explore this franchise in a new light really sets these newer films (Apocalypse excluded) apart from the rest of the franchise (despite the originals still being pretty good).
2. Deadpool- Hilarious, smart, sexy, action-packed, and thrilling. All things I love in a superhero movie. Embracing one of the lesser known characters in the comic franchise and making him a groundbreaking hit. Ryan Reynolds truly poured his heart, soul, and potty mouth into this one, and it is glorious and truly a feat to be proud of.
1. Logan- The way they took the X-Men’s most beloved character and ended his story in the most perfect, honorable, emotional way. This has genius written all over it, and I love every line of dialogue, every frame of the film, and every casting decision. Gut-wrenching at times, but heart warming all the same. Hugh Jackman needs some recognition for it. He’s a legend, as this movie will surely prove to be as well.
Happy Top 10 Tuesday (on a Saturday, cause yes I forgot to post my rankings for this week). We’re doing a fun one for the release of Deadpool 2: the top 10 X-Men films!