X-MEN: APOCALYPSE (Rated PG-13)

The “X-Men” universe, yet another superhero cinematic adaptation from Marvel Comics and the fertile imagination of Stan Lee, got off to a roaring start on the big screen sixteen years ago under the direction of Bryan Singer.

In the intervening years since the film debut of “X-Men,” there have been so many sequels, prequels and spinoffs that even the most dedicated fan likely would be hard-pressed to give a complete rundown of every title, let alone the storylines.

What is a known quantity is that director Bryan Singer returns for the fourth time, following the most recent franchise predecessor “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” with the spectacularly bombastic “X-Men: Apocalypse,” which might be expected based on the title alone.

Outside the hardcore fan base for Marvel and even non-Marvel superheroes alike, there’s a growing awareness, or at least there should be, that the excess of the superhero genre is trending towards a sense of fatigue.

The newest chapter of “X-Men” does not help alleviate that public feeling of sheer exhaustion. So many new and old characters are tossed into the mix that the result is a disorganized mess that can only thrive on the audacity of excessive violence and destruction.

In terms of style and approach, “X-Men: Apocalypse” is arguably not that much different from the graphic and violent clashes of the warring factions of superheroes recently on display in “Batman v Superman” and “Captain America: Civil War.”

The real difference between “X-Men: Apocalypse” and many of the most familiar superhero franchises is that the X-Men are mutants with superpowers, and while some of them qualify for heroic deeds, there are others committed to the dark side of their abilities.

An example of the latter is the titular character of Bryan Singer’s newest blockbuster adventure. Apocalypse (Oscar Isaac, unrecognizable under layers of special makeup) is a tyrannical malcontent long dormant beneath an Egyptian pyramid for several millennia.

The year is 1983, during the height of the Cold War, and the invincible and immortal Apocalypse has been awakened from his tomb by devoted followers chanting for his resurrection. Discovering he’s no longer treated as a god, Apocalypse’s ensuing rage has disastrous consequences.

Seeking to destroy humankind by launching every country’s nuclear missiles in order to create a new world order, Apocalypse assembles a team of powerful mutants, putting together Four Horsemen to unleash devastation.

Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Michael Fassbender), a mutant who has previously worked both sides, is seen living a quiet life in exile in Poland, with a wife and young daughter. But his identity is compromised and things go horribly wrong for the whole family.

Fueled by rage and revenge, Magneto is vulnerable to mad villain Apocalypse’s offer to join him on a mission to destroy the Earth. Others recruited to the cause are mutants living on the margins as the result of being ostracized.

An orphan raised as a thief on the streets of Cairo, Storm (Alexandra Shipp) possesses the ability to control all aspects of the weather. Meanwhile the fierce Psylocke (Olivia Munn) is a powerful telepath and trained ninja assassin who’s also the sexiest mutant.

The Fourth Horseman is Angel (Ben Hardy), whose mutation gave him large wings and the ability to fly. Angel’s agility and strength made him lethal, but after suffering damage to his wings, he is like an angry punk rocker.

Aligned against Apocalypse on the side of preserving humanity are Professor Xavier (James McAvoy) and Raven (Jennifer Lawrence), who gains her superpowers as the blue-skinned shapeshifter Mystique.

Professor Xavier has rededicated himself to building his School for Gifted Children as a safe haven for mutants learning how to control their powers. The young students soon find out that their X-Men training has to be hastened to a quick pace.

A most promising new student is Scott Summers (Tye Sheridan), aka Cyclops, who must come to terms with his own powers, which allow him to shoot powerful optic blasts that can only be contained by wearing custom dark glasses.

Sophie Tucker’s Jean Grey has the dual powers of telepathy and telekinesis, but as a teenager, her powers are out of control and she must learn to put them in check for her own safety and that of the other students.

An interesting newcomer to Xavier’s school is Kurt Wagner (Kodi Smit-McPhee), aka Nightcrawler, whose demonic-looking appearance, blue skin, yellow eyes and long, barbed tail, made him an outcast well before the emergence of his mutant powers, which include superhuman agility and teleportation. But, at least, he brings some comic relief.

“X-Men: Apocalypse” is filled with a large ensemble cast where some characters are too easily diminished. One of the main staples of the X-Men universe returns for only a cameo appearance, and it’s powerful though very brief.

Talk about overlooking an important person, it should be noted that Rose Byrne is back as CIA operative Moira MacTaggert, a sympathizer and advocate for mutants who realizes the stakes in fighting Apocalypse.

In the final analysis, “X-Men: Apocalypse,” consumed with mutant wars and annihilation on a grand scale, offers little that is revelatory or exciting in carrying the franchise to the next level. It’s an action picture skewed entirely to its existing fan base.

Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.