There is an interesting historical opening scene and the special effects using 3D and long sound waves which create what appears to be an interesting beginning for the script to follow. The difficulty is that X-Men films have over stayed their welcome.
The central focus of the film is Jean Gray (Sophie Turner) who as a child causes an accident with her parents and has difficulty controlling her telekinetic and psychic powers. The accident kills her parents and she becomes one of Charles Xavier’s (James McAvoy) adopted special children. He is able to control her powers and keep her stable until she attempts to save astronauts from the Space Shuttle Endeavor in 1992. In that process Jean finds herself absorbing a solar flair that makes her powers even more acute. Everything surrounding her is stronger including her guilt for causing the death of her parents. From there on she becomes the villain and or the hero depending on the twists of the script.
The alien group lead by Vuk (Jessica Chastain) who has assumed control of the body of a blond earthling works to control or de-control Jean as Charles Xavier battles to continue balance control over her emotions and powers.
There is a nice reference, perhaps by accident when Jean calls the outsiders Them which reminds us of the giant ant Sci-Fi film from 1954. It is also obvious that we constantly hear the name Jean over and over again as one side or the other attempts to keep her on their side.
Dark Phoenix isn’t that bad, but it may be like eating too much ice cream, the series has run out it’s welcome. Too much of what we have seen in battles and confects we have viewed many times before.
We have seen this idea enough and it is just not exciting or innovating any more.