Flawed, but don't let that stop you!

Rating: 8/10 (19 May 2016)

Personal opinion, as these always are- if you're a fan of the X-Men films, ignore the critics and enjoy yourself, because Apocalypse is FUN!
The movie picks up the threads of Prof X's and Magneto's story ten years after DoFP. Both characters are in a happier place - they're older, less inclined to fight, both living a measure of peace through their version of family. Until, as is always the case, it all goes to hell in a hand basket.
It's a big, loud, colourful production. Silly costumes and explosions are a standard, much as they are in the comics. Also, cool superpowers x1000 make the fights pretty epic (and who are we kidding, that's part of why we pay the ticket).
In fairness to the critics, it's a bit choppy, trite at times, somewhat over the top and too upbeat for the dark moments to hit as hard as they probably should. Apocalypse is undoubtedly the weakest villain yet (neither power-hungry and devious like Shaw nor cynically inquisitive like Transk, he ends up being the most banal of world-dominating super-villains in a while).
But!
For a fan of the franchise, this film feels a bit like coming home. It combines the hopeful youth that made First Class so good (and very successfully introduces the younger generation X-Men) with the high stakes, high profile, world-ending battles of DoFP.
Overall, loose threads from the other two movies are (mostly) tied up, and you get a little bit of everything/everyone as the First Class generation conflicts draw to a close and leave room for the modern X-Men. Despite being flashy and titanic in size, it still manages to end on a simple, hopeful note similar to that on which the franchise reboot began.
Thinking of seeing it? Expect an epic superhero film made mostly for fans of the franchise, with all the characters you know and love and the classic highs and lows of its genre. And obviously, spandex.