X-MEN: APOCALYPSE

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(More mutant mayhem)

Fans will probably like the latest in the X-Men series better than the casual viewer. It sure helps to know the comic book characters, their backgrounds, and their relationships.

The group has disbanded and practically gone into hiding when their services are no longer appreciated.

Apocalypse has risen from the tombs of ancient Egypt, convinced that the only way to save the world is to destroy it, leaving only a handful of his followers to rebuild it. This theory divides the mutants who slowly choose sides, coming out of hiding to get deeply involved.

The special effects are as good as ever, but as always, the battles go on much too long.

Professor X (James McAvoy), who runs the School For Gifted Children, where most of the characters were taught, with some returning as teachers, leads the charge against Apocalypse. There are some new mutant students who get involved, including Cyclops whose power is in his eyes.

Magneto (Michael Fassbender) is living the peaceful life with his family in Poland, but when his identity is revealed and his family meets a tragedy, he goes over to the other side, along with other X-Men. It should be noted that half of the mutants are really X-Women.

The movie goes on much too long (two and a half hours), and loyal fans will sit through the extensive credits to get a heads up on what will happen in the next sequel. I stayed, watched and didn't have a clue.

Rated PG-13, with lots of violence and destruction.

ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS

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(Boring hodge-podge of a story)

Don had trouble staying awake during this boring hodge-podge of a movie, filled with a bevy of Lewis Carroll characters that serve as window dressing for Alice's adventures.

Alice (Mia Wasikowski) is all grown up. We meet her as she captains a ship through a storm, returning home to a stormy meeting with businessmen who want to own her ship. Alice escapes by jumping through a looking-glass, only to end up back at the tea party of her youth, with all her old friends present.

The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp) is there, but he's more depressed than mad after his family disappeared and is presumed dead. The sweet White Queen (Anne Hathaway) is battling the mean Red Queen (Helena Bonham Carter).

Sacha Baron Cohen plays Time, a complicated man filled with metaphors, with, in essence, Time itself. Some of this may go over the kids' heads, but the adults will be riddled with clichés. ("It's about Time"/Can't escape Time"/"Out of Time.”

Alice flies around back and forth in time searching for the Mad Hatter's family, harassed by Time. The flying orb takes her through many creative universes, giving some interesting special effects and an ending that goes on too long.

Too confusing for the young ones and too boring for their parents, this is an Alice you can skip. Rated PG.