The prequel X-Men film follows the team as they try to stop the ancient mutant Apocalypse, who wants to build his ideal world at the cost of the current life on the planet. Some of the X-Men are captured by military forces at one point, and Cyclops, Nightcrawler, and Jean Grey attempt to break them out. They end up coming across Weapon X, which is the version of Wolverine that had been experimented on by the government. Weapon X then goes on a rampage, killing every guard who stands in his path, before getting some of his memories restored by Jean.
Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine Appearances Have Humanized Him
Jackman Has Played Wolverine For Over Two Decades
The hallway rampage is a brutal scene to watch, even by Wolverine’s standards. However, what helped it feel so effective is how Jackman’s numerous appearances as the hero over the years have majorly humanized the character. Logan is often portrayed as a short-tempered, grumpy hero who prefers to work on his own, but he is also incredibly loyal to his fellow mutants. There is clearly a part of Wolverine that cares deeply as demonstrated in films like Logan and Deadpool & Wolverine, and it might not have come across that way if not for Jackman’s portrayal.
Jackman dedicated over two decades of his career to Wolverine, and his nuanced development of the character especially pays off in moments like that.
Thanks to how Jackman has humanized the character over the years, the Weapon X rampage scene in X-Men: Apocalypse feels all the more effective. The fact that fans watched the scene knowing that Logan was taken and experimented on against his will makes it feel more emotional. He did not choose to lose control like that but was instead being manipulated. Jackman dedicated over two decades of his career to Wolverine, and his nuanced development of the character especially pays off in moments like that.
The Weapon X Rampage Was Better Than The Movie It Was Part Of
The Brutal Wolverine Scene Is Unfortunately Buried
It’s a shame that Jackman’s Weapon X rampage had to happen in an otherwise forgettable movie, as it’s become a scene that many fans have either overlooked or simply forgotten about. The scene itself was executed well and can probably be considered one of the best action sequences of the film. The tension leading up to the Weapon X reveal is palpable, followed by the character’s blinding rage as he slashes through the hallway.
Despite the strengths of the Weapon X rampage sequence, the rest of X-Men: Apocalypse unfortunately drags it down. It’s far from the worst entry in the X-Men franchise, but it’s certainly one of the more forgettable ones. Jackman is only credited as a cameo in this film, and the Weapon X sequence doesn’t take up more than a few minutes. Even if those few minutes truly brought the comics to life, it’s buried amongst so much other filler that it’s an easy scene to overlook.
Why X-Men: Apocalypse Will Be Forgotten
Good Actor Performances Were Overshadowed
X-Men: Apocalypse was already poorly received during its initial release, and fans’ impression of the prequel hasn’t improved over time. While most of the actors actually did pretty great with their characters, their performances were overshadowed by a messy narrative. Oscar Isaac’s portrayal of the villain Apocalypse was pretty good, but a character of his scale was always doomed to be confined to just one movie. The film’s legacy also isn’t helped by the fact that Isaac has since expressed his disappointment in the film’s treatment of the character as well as his actual experiences while filming.
Some critics and fans had a stronger negative reaction to X-Men: Apocalypse than others. While it may not be entirely as bad as some claim, it’s ultimately an incredibly mediocre film that many simply forget about when thinking about the franchise. It’s a shame that one of Jackman’s best sequences as Wolverine takes place in this film specifically. The mediocrity of the overall project buries the excellence of the Weapon X rampage, but at least X-Men: Apocalypse can boast that it features an excellent comic-accurate sequence.
