Southeast Messenger - June 16th, 2019

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June 16, 2019 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - PAGE 11
“Dark Phoenix” is a boring mess of wasted potential
It is inevitable that any theatrical adaptation
of the ‘X-Men’ comics is going to try
to bring the “Dark Phoenix” saga to life.
For those unfamiliar with the comics, it
is a beloved arc that depicts the struggle of
the mild mannered mutant Jean Grey as
mind and ability merge with that of an allpowerful
cosmic force capable of mass
destruction. It is an enduring storyline for
the devastation wrought, the mental
anguish she and her loved ones go though,
and the showcasing of the unmistakable
love the X-Men have for each other despite
the horror they can inflict.
In 2006, the third installment in the
original ‘X-Men’ movie franchise attempted
to bring this complex arc to the silver
screen and failed spectacularly. Instead of
depicting Jean (played then by Famke
Janssen) as a good woman struggling with
her humanity, she is this wordless, scowling
being who stands in the background
glaring evilly and breaking stuff.
To this day, I still harbor so much
loathing for the film’s creators for failing to
deliver on what should have been a great
story.
So, when the ‘X-Men’ movie-verse was
rebooted in 2011, I braced myself for the
eventual reintroduction of Jean Grey and
another attempt at the “Dark Phoenix” storyline.
And then when she came onto the
scene in the abysmal Apocalypse five years
later, I hoped they would do right by the
character and actress (played by “Game of
Thrones” star Sophie Turner) and take the
time to fully develop the thread. Alas, my
hopes were dashed shortly thereafter when
it was announced that not only would their
next film be the Phoenix storyline, but it
would be written and directed by Simon
Kinberg, the man who wrote the screenplay
for “The Last Stand.”
Since the ‘X-Men’ is like the
‘Terminator’ franchise to me, I cannot find
it within myself to fully quit these movies
so I had to see what fresh horror was done.
To be clear, it is as bad as I thought it
would be but it is a slight step up from “The
Last Stand.” And by slight I mean in the
slightest sense of the word.
Splash N’ Cinema
Splash N’ Cinema, held in Obetz’
Lancaster Park, 4390 Lancaster Avenue,
will be June 21, July 19, and Aug. 9 with
free family friendly movies beginning at
dusk and splash pad hours extended to 9
p.m. Films include “Ralph Breaks the
Internet” on June 21; “Incredibles 2” on
July 19; and “Mary Poppins Returns” on
Aug. 9.
Obetz Farmers Market
The Obetz Farmers Market is held the
first Wednesday of the month from June to
September from 4-7 p.m. in the parking lot
next to Veteran’s Park in downtown Obetz.
The Reel Deal
It begins with a
phone call from the
president who is
requesting the assistance
of the X-Men
when the lives of astronauts
onboard a shuttle
are endangered.
Team leader Raven
(Jennifer Lawrence,
continuing to look
incredibly done with
this role) is worried
Dedra
Cordle
entertainment
about the risky mission and begs Professor
Xavier (James McAvoy) to turn down the
request. As usual, he overrides her concerns
and then tells her to bring some of
the youngest members to assist for experience
sake.
While up in space, the fears of Raven
are justified when they discover that a
“solar flare” is threatening to destroy
everything in the vicinity.
Then, just when it appears when the
mission is over and they all made it
through unscathed, an accident befalls
Jean and she is nearly killed in the process.
Afterward, her telepathic and telekinetic
abilities are amplified way past 11 and
she complains of feeling as if something
new is living inside her. While she tries to
get back into her normal schedule, she
begins to experience uncontrollable urges
and power surges.
Scared, she runs away believing she is a
danger to herself and others. While on the
lam (she runs afoul of the law when she
blasts a helicopter out of the sky), she runs
into a woman called Vuk (Jessica
Chastain) who shows no fear of her or her
abilities. In fact, she tells Jean she can harness
that power and create new universes
where she can be safe. But when the X-Men
learn Vuk is not who she claims to be (are
they ever?), they race to save Jean before
she destroys the world and her humanity
in the process.
There are many problems with this film,
Famous Fortress Fireworks
The annual Famous Fortress Fireworks
will be held July 4 from 6-10 p.m. at Fortress
Obetz, 2015 Recreation Trail, Obetz. The
event features games, food trucks, inflatables,
giveaways, and fireworks.
Obetz Zucchinifest
The Obetz Zucchinifest will be held Aug.
30 to Sept. 2 at Fortress Obetz, 2015
Recreation Trail. This free family friendly
event features rides, food, games and
music. Bands this year include Warrant on
Aug. 30, Scotty McCreery on Aug. 31, and
Spin Doctors and Smash Mouth on Sept. 1.
Visit obetzzucchinifest.com.
most stemming from the lackluster writing
and uninspired direction from Kinberg. I
don’t know why he was given another
chance with this arc but he once again
failed to do anything creative or do it justice.
While the plot within is slightly more
coherent than “The Last Stand,” “Dark
Phoenix” is still a boring mess of wasted
potential.
If there is one saving grace for this film,
it is the acting, which is not all that great.
While a vast majority of the older cast have
already checked out (Lawrence, McAvoy,
Michael Fassbender and Nicolas Hoult),
the newest cast (Turner, Tye Sheridan and
Kodi Smit-McPhee) try their best to elevate
the crap given to them. They largely succeed
and make this film vaguely watchable.
With the end of “Dark Phoenix” comes a
new chapter with the X-Men, and by that I
mean Disney has snatched up 20th
Century Fox and Marvel will now have control
of the property.
While I have serious concerns at how
powerful Disney has become in the movie
world, I do think the Marvel Cinematic
Universe will do these characters justice.
Eventually. I hope.
Grade: D+
Dedra Cordle is a Messenger staff writer
and columnist.