STARRING: BLU HUNT, MAISIE WILLIAMS, ANYA TAYLOR-JOY, CHARLIE HEATON, HENRY ZAGA, AND ALICE BRAGA
DIRECTOR: JOSH BOONE
DATE: AUGUST 26, 2020
The X-Men film franchise is one of the pioneers in modern comic book films even predating the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in 2000. The franchise became so popular at the time, naturally it would try expanding the universe with not just the core team, but other known characters from the original Marvel X-Men comics. The franchise would expand the universe with its prequels, the Wolverine trilogy, and the Deadpool spinoff series. However, after 20th Century Fox failed its long running X-Men franchise, it was officially bought out by Disney. Fox has finally released its long delayed and final film in the X-Men Universe entitled, The New Mutants.
The New Mutants begin in a village with a tribe of Native Americans during a horrendous thunderstorm. The opening scene shows young teen Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt), also known as Mirage, being awaken by her father to escape their home to avoid the storm. The entire tribe ran for their lives as the storm appeared to destroy everything in its path. After Dani and her father run off into the woods for safety, he tells her to remain in the woods while he goes back to the village in an attempt to save another one of his tribe members. Dani becomes even more terrified the longer that her father is gone and all of a sudden she hears a loud growling noise coming from the storm and she faints out of fear.
The next day Dani finally awakens but finds herself in a random bed not aware of how she got there. As she becomes scared and confused about her unknown location, Dr. Cecilia Reyes (Alice Braga) shows up to answer all of her questions. Dr. Reyes explains to Dani that her entire tribe, including her father, had unfortunately perished during the storm and the reason she survived that night was because she was a mutant. Dani was shocked beyond belief, especially not even knowing what her mutant abilities are. According to Dr. Reyes, she has placed Dani in this mysterious hospital to find out what her mutant power is.
Later that day, Dani walks into the main lobby of the hospital to see Dr. Reyes leading a group therapy session with four other teen mutants. Dr. Reyes introduces the mutants as Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), also known as Wolfsbane, Illyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy), also known as Magik, Sam Guthrie (Charlie Heaton), also known as Cannonball, and Roberto da Costa (Henry Zaga), also known as Sunspot. All the teens have experienced similar tragedies while also dealing with their newfound mutant abilities. While Dani has come to terms with being a mutant, she notices that its only six of them in the entire hospital and they can’t leave unless Dr. Reyes grants it. Now Dani and the other mutants have to ban together to see if Dr. Reyes is actually who she claims to be or if she has maniacal ulterior motives.
The New Mutants is an interesting premise in the X-Men Universe combining the comic book genre with elements of horror. However, as good as the premise is, it still unfortunately fails in execution. Its lack of action takes all of the excitement out of what makes a superhero film worth the watch and the lack of frightening scenes do not live up to the horror element as promised. The slow pace makes the film completely drag, therefore making it feel much longer than its initial one hour and forty minute run time. For those seeking another fun and exciting X-Men entry, it will not be found in this final installment.
The New Mutants receives 3 stars out of 10 stars.