X-Men: Dark Phoenix Cannot Quite Rise from the Ashes

Director: Simon Kinberg

Writer: Simon Kinberg

*Based on comic books created and written by John Byrne, Chris Claremont, Dave Cockrum, Jack Kirby, and Stan Lee*

Producers: Daniel Auclair, Todd Hallowell, Simon Kinberg, Stan Lee, Kathleen McGill, Josh McLaglen, Hutch Parker, and Lauren Shuler Donner

Starring: James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Jennifer Lawrence, Nicholas Hoult, Sophie Turner, Tye Sheridan, Alexandra Shipp, Evan Peters, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Jessica Chastain

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An unsurprisingly magnificent score from Hans Zimmer, stimulating sound design, solid editing, intriguing action set pieces, and gripping cinematography and shot selection simply could not make up for a rushed narrative full of clichés, unimaginative dialogue, and lethargic acting. The story concept had a ton of potential, with its being adapted from one of the most iconic comic book story arcs of all time. Still, so many aspects of this version of the narrative felt shoehorned and forced, with little time to effectively flesh…