X3: The (Last?) Stand
Over a week ago, I saw X-Men: The Last Stand. I intended to talk about it sooner, but internet problems have prevented me. I was quite impressed by the cosplayers (especially a Xavier who shaved his head and rolled around in a wheelchair). So here's a spoilerific review of X3...
The movie begins with a bit of backstory, a special effects-filled scene in which we see a young(er) Professor Xavier and Magneto meeting with the psychicly super-powered Jean Grey. Before long, we're introduced to the main conflict of the film: the idea that mutants can be "cured" of their abilities, echoing a dozen different political debates from abortion to gay rights to genetic engineering. Events quickly kick into gear, and begin to go downhill in more ways than one. One of the main charcters from the previous movies is simply killed off-screen with no real reason at all. Characters are introduced or reintroduced, but have no real development (Colossus in particular). Nonstop action seems to be the order of the day, but it is at the price of, ironically, the characters' humanity. The group, losing several key members from the previous films, jumps across the U.S., fighting a hyper-powered Jean Grey, Magneto's new Brotherhood army and the U.S. military. What could (perhaps in the hands of Bryan Singer) been a brillant meditation on what makes us unique and "special" is a simplistic special effects feature in the hands of Brett Ratner. But that doesn't mean it's bad, not by any means. The fight scenes are top notch, with new arrivals like Juggernaut and Beast being put to impressive use. Magneto's assault on a military convoy and use of the Golden Gate Bridge in the final battle are impressive feats. It is an exciting movie, and the action does work for what it is...but there's something lacking. It's worth checking out, but hardly worthy finish to the would-be great trilogy. Maybe the extended DVD will add another half hour worth of character development in deleted scenes. The movie was a little too short...
SPOILER CORNER!
Dislikes: Cyclops death was a stupid offscreen URK!, Mystique's loss of powers were random and weakened Magneto's character (he was a little too callous towards her), Storm was more annoying than ever, and the ending seemed a little rushed.
Likes: Professor Xavier did wonderfully, including an unexpected death (and resurrection?). The semi-love triangle between Iceman, Rouge and Shadowcat was sweet and decently developed. The action was good (it doesn't compare to X2's White House assault, but few things compare to that). It was a fun way to spend an hour and a half, but it was entirely what I expected, and failed to really surpass my expectations at all. Maybe X4 will be better?
(They really need to have Apocolypse show up already)
The movie begins with a bit of backstory, a special effects-filled scene in which we see a young(er) Professor Xavier and Magneto meeting with the psychicly super-powered Jean Grey. Before long, we're introduced to the main conflict of the film: the idea that mutants can be "cured" of their abilities, echoing a dozen different political debates from abortion to gay rights to genetic engineering. Events quickly kick into gear, and begin to go downhill in more ways than one. One of the main charcters from the previous movies is simply killed off-screen with no real reason at all. Characters are introduced or reintroduced, but have no real development (Colossus in particular). Nonstop action seems to be the order of the day, but it is at the price of, ironically, the characters' humanity. The group, losing several key members from the previous films, jumps across the U.S., fighting a hyper-powered Jean Grey, Magneto's new Brotherhood army and the U.S. military. What could (perhaps in the hands of Bryan Singer) been a brillant meditation on what makes us unique and "special" is a simplistic special effects feature in the hands of Brett Ratner. But that doesn't mean it's bad, not by any means. The fight scenes are top notch, with new arrivals like Juggernaut and Beast being put to impressive use. Magneto's assault on a military convoy and use of the Golden Gate Bridge in the final battle are impressive feats. It is an exciting movie, and the action does work for what it is...but there's something lacking. It's worth checking out, but hardly worthy finish to the would-be great trilogy. Maybe the extended DVD will add another half hour worth of character development in deleted scenes. The movie was a little too short...
SPOILER CORNER!
Dislikes: Cyclops death was a stupid offscreen URK!, Mystique's loss of powers were random and weakened Magneto's character (he was a little too callous towards her), Storm was more annoying than ever, and the ending seemed a little rushed.
Likes: Professor Xavier did wonderfully, including an unexpected death (and resurrection?). The semi-love triangle between Iceman, Rouge and Shadowcat was sweet and decently developed. The action was good (it doesn't compare to X2's White House assault, but few things compare to that). It was a fun way to spend an hour and a half, but it was entirely what I expected, and failed to really surpass my expectations at all. Maybe X4 will be better?
(They really need to have Apocolypse show up already)