Stream it:
|
Own it:
|
With: Maisie Williams, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Heaton, Blu Hunt, Henry Zaga, Alice Braga, Adam Beach, Thomas Kee, Colbi Gannett, Happy Anderson, Dustin Ceithamer
|
Written by: Josh Boone, Knate Lee
|
Directed by: Josh Boone
|
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for violent content, some disturbing/bloody images, some strong language, thematic elements and suggestive material
|
Running Time: 94
|
|
Date: 08/28/2020
|
|
|
|
X-Kids
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
The thirteenth in the X-Men film series, The New Mutants was not well received by critics, but I suspect a huge reason for this was the studio's decision to release it during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic, without press screenings or the option to view a screener at home. Since many theaters were not even open, many critics were forced to head to the nearest drive-in to see it. Certainly it is hamstrung by a PG-13 rating and smeary digital FX, yet watching it a couple of years later from the comfort of my couch, I was surprised at what a unique superhero movie it is. This is not only due to its diversity (also a staple of the original comic book), the addition of an LGBTQ+ relationship, and touches of horror, but also to its refreshingly small scale. Dani Moonstar (Blu Hunt) survives a devastating tornado on her reservation and wakes up in a hospital, where she learns that she has "mutant" powers. She's there with Sam Guthrie (Charlie Heaton), Illyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy), Bobby da Costa (Henry Zaga), and Rahne Sinclair (Maisie Williams), all of whom have their own powers. The team hopes that they will become X-Men someday, but strange things begin happening, including the creepy, "smiling men" that lurk evilly. Alice Braga plays the doctor in charge of the facility, and Adam Beach appears briefly as Dani's father.
|
