Reader Review : X-Men : The Last Stand
Source: moviehole.netSo, this is possibly going to be the final reader review of "X-Men : The Last Stand" I put up, before the film goes wide next week. If anything, I'm putting up this one because 1) it seems legit, in otherwords, not a plant 2) it's positive, and I tell ya, I'm not hearing a lot of good word on it.
Upon posting Adam's review of the film earlier this week - which he loved, by the way - I recieved a heap of emails from others that went to a screening this week, who expressed their utter dissapointment in it, so seems it's going to divide and then some, this one. I can't comment either way, I was too busy to go, but seems the 'likers' are in a far lesser minority than the 'loathers'. Still.... I don't think the box office will suffer too much... I'd be happy to hear your opinion when you see it.
X-Men : The Last Stand
By 'Chris Dzelde'Answer three simple questions and instantly gauge how much you might enjoy X3:
1) Do you want to know more about Charles Xavier and Magneto?
2) Do you want to see the awesome power of the Phoenix?
3) Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Rebecca Romijin? (okay - not a question, but still...)
The mighty Internet cast its decision on this film months ago, and I am pleased to say the bagging is unwarranted. In "X3", the X-Men are suited up, sexed-up and, in a very tangible way, vulnerable. There are new responsibilities, new challenges and no guarantees.
Watch the opening scene closely and marvel (bad pun) at a CG process which may potentially revolutionise future filmmaking - Magneto and Xavier from 20 years ago meet a young and powerful Jean Grey. (Anyone who is doubting Harrison Ford's ability to keep up with the Joneses may go very quiet upon seeing this. Potentially, Ford could be playing Indy till he's 92!) The flashback is assuredly handled and to see McKellan and Stewart as allies walking side by side makes what is to come even more weighty. It is in these three characters that X3 draws much of its dramatic tension.
This time round all bets are off. Quite early in the film you begin to realise that this trilogy-closer is taking some risks that the other two couldn't. Once that realisation dawns, the film gains a unique energy - put simply, anything can and will happen, and our favourite X-Men may not be able to put things right.
Yes, Rattner can direct. The style of the film is so close to Bryan Singer's, your average punter would be surprised to learn he didn't call the shots. Addressing concerns of X2 and Halle Berry, Storm is basically more useful and has more screen time here. Kelsey Grammar's take on Beast is a definite highlight, considering how ridiculous the Blue Furball could have become. Jackman takes Wolverine to a place it may be surprising to see - he actually cares. But the core of this film is rooted in the performances of Patrick Stewart (Xavier), Ian McKellan (Magneto) and Famke Janssen (Jean Grey).
When Jean Grey returns, you can just feel something isn't right. Janssen conveys the confusion, the pain and the terror in equal measures. As the new weapon in Magneto's X-War, she is remote, aloof and possessed of terrifying power. She goes all scary on us. There are scenes in X3 that are some of the most powerful in the series so far. And yes - sexy. This time round, it's not only sexual tension one-liners; the stakes are WAY different.
There are casualties with an ensemble piece. Rogue is incidental, and any X-Fans looking forward to Angel's appearance in the film should know it is ultimately just that - an appearance. His part in the final act almost seemed tacked on, but, hey, the wings look great. Mystique also is peripheral, but in one of the series best twists, turns out to be integral to the entire storyline. James Marsden as Cyclops puts in his best performance yet, and makes his character more important perhaps than in the last 2 movies. The other thing Rattner has done is make this film effective as a stand-alone as well - seeing the other 2 is not as necessary as you may think.
Okay - sounds all good so far? Well, I will say this - at it's conclusion I thought, as much as I enjoyed it, it is "X-Men Lite" at times. Zero caffeine, less sugar. Moments of unconvincing CG? Check. Sometimes curious Hugh Jackman accent? Check. Cheesy dialogue? Check. (If the battle of Fire and Ice doesn't make you groan, check pulse)
But - there are moments of , well, if not greatness, uber-coolness in this chapter: The fight at Jean Grey's house; Wolverine and Storm's return to Jean Grey's deathsite; Beast and Wolverine kicking some major butt; Rebecca Romijin in her naked glory....mmmmmmm.
And yes, ethical dilemmas and outsider themes that are well-delivered ......and perhaps not always what they appear to be.
For mine, the characters in X3 are the most fleshed-out we've seen yet. X3 works hard to get you off-balance early on and it pays off, as once again we really want to know what will happen to these mutants. You may not race out to tell the world you MUST SEE THIS MOVIE, but there's no doubt any X-Fan will get their money's worth. And is it the last stand? FOX has, not surpsisingly, left a few tantalising possibilities hanging. Oh - and stay to the end of the credits for an extra buzz.
However, if you need a good nap, see The Da Vinci Code.........................................................................sorry, nodded off there for a bit.