X-Men 3: The Last Stand (2006)
Movie Review by BlindPanzer
I don’t take points off for accuracy in comic book movie ADAPTATIONS.
Most of the great graphic novel movies are those that accurately portray the spirit of the comics like Superman, The Crow, Road to Perdition, Batman Begins, and even Batman ’89.
That being said, this movie was lacking in a few departments, most notably style. The first two were filmed in a stylish manner that sort of made it appear in a world separate from ours.
But this movie, by having a direct form of cinematography, not only does it alienate the first two from the franchise, but it also makes the events even more impossible. Because now they are happening in our world, as opposed to Bryan Singer’s stylish X-Men world.
Another area where the movie was uneven was the acting. I wish I didn’t have to point fingers but Brett Ratner doesn’t understand the character relations. Mostly because they are almost missing in this movie. He limits himself to Rush Hour-like smart comebacks and quick one liners that take the viewer out of the tone of the film, which is supposed to be dark.
Ian McKellen and Hugh Jackman were the only two that seemed to be having fun with their roles. Halle Berry was her usual post-Oscar horrible self.
My main gripe with this film is the first 20 or so minutes that are wasted with needless back exposition.
It was almost like they were saying, “Hey Scott, don’t forget your sunglasses because, remember, you can shoot optic blasts without them.” While it wasn’t anywhere near that exaggerated it was almost that blatant.
Bryan Singer found a way to bring the viewers back to the world of X-Men in X2: X-Men United without actually having to make the exposition so blatant.
Maybe it was because the first 20 minutes were so horrible that I enjoyed the middle portion of the film the best, in which ethical conflicts emerge, as well as some interesting character conflicts.
But that all is all forgotten within the third act of the film in which it turns into a popcorn flick.
I can recall many summer movie “money shots” within X-Men 3: The Last Stand. More so than the previous two movies in the franchise. And that’s because Bryan Singer always put his characters first and action to complement them, not the other way around.
But I can’t really review the film for what it could have been. So taken as a whole it was pretty good.
The Phoenix story is handled well (within the
continuity of the three film saga) and there are a couple of
surprises in store. The middle portion is engaging and the
action was generally well done.
Overall, I was surprised by its quality but disappointed by its unevenness.
Overall, I was surprised by its quality but disappointed by its unevenness.
I’ll give it a
7 out of 10.
7 out of 10.
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