NEW AND UNIMPROVED

The latest generation of Marvel mutants is anything but remarkable despite the best efforts of its young cast

things who deserve a better vehicle for their talents. Cheyenne Native American teenager Danielle Moonstar (Blu Hunt) is the sole survivor of a ferocious level-five tornado which tears through her tribe’s reservation.

She wakes in hospital under the care of Dr Cecilia Reyes (Alice Braga), who reveals that 16-year-old Dani is on the cusp of discovering her ‘mutant’ powers. Reyes firmly encourages her patient to follow a routine of one-to-one sessions and group therapy to control her psionic energy. Dani is introduced to the doctor’s other charges: miner’s son Sam Guthrie (Charlie Heaton), who explodes with unstoppable energy; devoutly Catholic shrinking violet Rahne

Sinclair (Maisie Williams), who metamorphoses into a wolf; handsome Brazilian rich kid Roberto da Costa (Henry Zaga), who becomes a fireball when he loses control of his emotions, and Russian troublemaker Illyana Rasputin (Anya Taylor-Joy) and her dragon sock puppet

Lockheed.

Under close supervision, tempers flare and secrets bubble to the surface, compelling Dani to question the sincerity of Dr Reyes’ actions.

The New Mutants was intended as the opening salvo of a trilogy and establishes loose narrative tethers to X-Men mythology (Illyana is the sister of Colossus in Deadpool, and the evil corporation behind the hospital program is a clear nod to Logan).

Judged on its own meagre merits, Boone’s picture works most effectively as a snapshot of teenage sexual awakening, emboldened by sweet performances from Hunt and Williams.

Once characters’ superpowers are noisily invoked, on-screen action passes in one ear and out the other without firing brain synapses or registering any pleasing memories.