(Superhero Horror Film, 2020)
I finally went to see the New Mutants on the big screen, and here’s my personal review. I will try not to reveal too much for those who would love to see it.
This is a Marvel comic book film based on the mutant superheroes film series, X-Men. It was written (screenplay) and directed by Josh Boon.
The first scene of the fantasy movie grips and propels us into a fog of mystery and suspense. A native American teenager, Danielle (Blu Hunt) experiences some unexplained tragedy that lands her in a secret experimental facility for new mutants run solely by an adult mutant, Dr Reyes (Alice Braga) for a cryptic corporation. Already resident there were four other teenage mutants from different countries; Rahne (Maisie Williams), Illyana (Anya Joy-Taylor), Roberto (Henry Zaga) and Sam (Charlie Heaton).
Dr Reyes seems to be helping them understand and control their abilities by urging them to examine their pasts. As our curiosities are piqued, the story slowly unravels, and we begin to discover the back stories of all but one of the teenagers and what their superpowers are. However, along with Dr Reyes and the other mutants, our interests are roused as they try to uncover what Danielle’s powers are.
The film exhibits a lot of the elements of horror with spooky background music, dark corridors, and strange happenings; nightmares and fears begin to come to life, leaving you with a chilling feeling. Unfortunately, the teenagers have been imprisoned on the premises and are unable to escape.
The individual performances are quite good. Maisie Williams further showcased her wonderful versatility, and Anya Joy-Taylor gave an impressive performance capturing Illyana’s spunk and tenacity. Plus bravo to her for pulling off an authentic Russian accent.
While this might seem like a terrifying movie to some, there was quite a bit of action too that draws you away from that feeling. The story doesn’t have much in the way of a plot, but the full force of the film climaxes about 35 minutes to the end of the film and you become engaged in exciting entertainment. I fell in love with Illyana’s powers and, call me greedy, but I would have loved to see a lot more display of the powers of the other mutants. However, I suspect that the fact that the teenagers had just come into their superpowers and were still trying to accept and learn to control them, might be the reason I didn’t get my required heavy dose of superpower-high.
It wasn’t mind-blowing, but then again, it might be for some. Definitely enjoyable to watch and totally worth seeing. Rating? 7 out of 10.
Currently available to rent or buy on Sky Tv
Further Information
Director - Josh Boon (Also directed the tragic romance film, The Fault in Our Stars)
Starring:
Blu Hunt - (appeared as Inadu in the supernatural drama vampire series, The Originals)
Henry Zaga - (appeared as Josh in the MTV series Teen Wolf and Brad in the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why)
Maisie Williams - (appeared as Arya Stark in the HBO drama series Game of Thrones)
Anya Taylor-Joy - (appeared as Thomasin in the periodic horror The Witch and Casey Cooke in the psychological horror films Split and its sequel, Glass)
Charlie Heaton - (appeared as Jonathan Bryers in Netflix supernatural drama series Stranger Things)
Alice Braga - (appeared as Anna Montez in the post-apocalyptic action thriller I Am Legend, Frey Santiago in the action science fiction film Elysium, and Sophia in the American Christian drama The Shack)
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