The X-Men Franchise's Struggles: Why Some Movies Should Have Been Avoided

The X-Men franchise, once dear to many fans, is riddled with a few missteps that tarnished its legacy. Certain movies were not only poorly received but also did irreparable damage to the overall narrative. Let's explore the movies that, in our view, should never have been made and delve into why.

Origins: Wolverine - A Compromised Prequel

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine" is the standout example of a movie that should have been nixed before production began. This film, intended to serve as a prequel to the original trilogy, ultimately cheapened the established story and setting. While the franchise did recover somewhat in subsequent works, the initial impact of "Origins" was undoubtedly negative. Thankfully, through the creative efforts of directors like Bryan Singer and Simon Kinberg, the film was effectively "retconned" out of the main storyline, allowing the franchise to move forward.

Simon Kinberg's Underwhelming Efforts

Simon Kinberg's involvement in the X-Men franchise has produced some less-than-stellar results. He helmed two significant entries in the series: "X-Men: Age of Apocalypse" and 'Dark Phoenix.' Both films, while individually flawed in their own ways, disrupted the narrative and viewer's experience. In contrast, movies like 'Logan" and 'Days of Future Past" served as satisfying conclusions to the series and were notably well-received. The addition of the Deadpool franchise, with its unique style and charm, further highlighted the underwhelming nature of Kinberg's contributions.

X-Men Apocalypse: A Derivative Disaster

X-Men: Apocalypse is perhaps the most egregious example of a misfire in the franchise. This two-and-a-half-hour extravaganza was filled with characters using and abusing their powers to the point of exhaustion. The constant yelling of 'Ahhhhhh!!!!' for extended periods made the film feel disjointed and unenjoyable. Moreover, the sheer number of character elements packed into the film left no room for character development or dialogue that could have offered a more immersive and engaging experience.

Concluding Remarks

The X-Men franchise, like many others, has its share of missteps. While some movies were able to recover and enhance the overall narrative, others left a lasting negative impact. It is important for filmmakers and studios to learn from these mistakes to ensure that future entries in the franchise are better received and enhance rather than detract from the story's core values and the emotions they aim to evoke in their fans. Fans of the X-Men are certainly eager to see more stable and enjoyable entries in the future.