‘X-Men: Apocalypse” is the third in a series of “X-Men” prequel movies that go back in time and show how so many characters became the way they are in the sequel movies.

Where the last film left off, Xavier had surrendered his ability to walk for the greater good and to accept his fate as leader of the X-Men. Mystique and Magneto on the run from people who, one way or another, want to meet them for their actions. Beast had a firm control over his powers and took his place at Xavier’s side to train the young mutants that are found. The world was made aware of the existence of mutants. Thanks to Mystique stopping Magneto from destroying the world’s view of mutants to make a point, the world began to ease into the idea that there are advanced people out there. At the very end, Wolverine(Hugh Jackman) wakes up in an altered timeline and asks Professor X(Patrick Stewart) what happened that he missed. X smiled and the screen went to black.

The film takes place ten years after “Days of Future Past” in 1983 with the characters settled into their own individual lives. Students like Jean Grey(Sophie Turner) and Scott Summers(Tye Sheridan) are attending Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters and learning how to control their powers. Magneto is living under an alias and trying to live a very normal, human life, but ultimately is found by the authorities. Mystique is finding rogue mutants and helping them escape to safety. And Quicksilver(Evan Peters) is hiding a secret about his lineage.

In this film, powerful ancient mutant known as Apocalypse rises from the ashes and vows to take the world back for his kind along with four chosen followers. And the X-Men band together to stop him.

This film showed the darker and lighter side to characters such as their inner demons and desire for acceptance and friendship. But most of all, a running theme in this film that was very well displayed in the acting, writing, and effects was about accepting things that there is no getting rid of like pain, insecurities, and bad memories, and using them to shape the person you were always meant to be.