LuckyWillX-Men(3): The Last Stand; Movie Review
November 21st 2006 15:15
The third and final X-Men film of the trilogy (following X-Men and X2) lives up to its namesake of being climatic and comprehensively conclusive. For a start, one of the key members is presumedly killed off in roughly the first 30 minutes! Then, two others die while another few lose their mutant abilities entirely, reducing them to boring old homo sapiens (just like the rest of us). But, the new director Brett Ratner does a commendable job taking over from Bryan Singer who elevated the series initially and rounds out a trilogy that has style and substance (unlike Fantastic Four) a worthwhile story (unlike The Avengers), altogether with an intriguing plot with cooler characters than Spiderman. Oh and did I mention it's much more fresh and entertaining than Superman?
So what we have here is a colourful action film that does the intertextual comic book origins justice while issuing a film that can almost stand on its feet singuarly but also rounds out a satisfying last part of a trilogy. All in all, pretty good you're probably thinking? Well, you wouldn't be wrong. Let's run down where we're up to and where we're going:
Characters - most of the usual suspects are here including favourites like Wolverine, Cyclops, Jean Grey and Charles Xavier with some of the bad guys and gals including the totalitarian Magneto and the delicious Mystique. Additionally, we have some inclusions as well to keep it fresh and no doubt keeping the comic book fans coming back, including Beast (superbly casted as televisions "Frasier", Kelsey Grammer), Archangel, Kitty Pryde and Collosus. Notably, some new villians make an appearance as well, such as Juggernaut and Mutliple Man.
Plot - Following Jean Greys apparent suicide to save the team at the end of X2, the viewers are introduced to the plot arc known as the Phoenix Saga, whereby Jeans powers take on a cataclysmic potenial that even she and Charles Xavier battle to control, let alone contain. Whereas the first couple of films dealt with the X-Mens battle against their mutant bretheren and the fearful humans who percieve mutants as a risk; the third film arguably highlights the inner battle each X-Men endures on a personal level. For example, dealing with a world that has invented a so-called cure for mutantism, the longevity of the X-Mens dreams and how each fits into the role assigned to them in the group in emotional terms. But, that's not to say there's heaps of action scenes, explosions and character vs character duels that we're all used to and secretly love.
Transition - The film coherently takes place after the sequel and we're again presented with familiar characters and their individual interactions in the group. Ratner has done a good job here. The acting is all satisfactory especially Patrick Stewart who plays Xavier and Ian Mckellan playing Magneto. Again we see the complexity of their relationship dichotmously opposed philosphically, yet are shown why they're essentially part of the same coin yet reveal two different visions like the metaphor explained in the "Extras" section of disk2 in the DVD. Hugh Jackman reprises his role as Wolverine with vigour as the half animal half human mutant with similar straining affections to his role as more of a lone wolf than a team member.
All in all, it's a satisfying, fast-paced, action romp made believable by the characters and plots held together by familiarity, while giving a few new twists while not upsetting the balance and tradition of the films. Is it the best X-Men film? I don't know. Is it an enjoyable conclusion to the series? Yes it is.
3/1/2 starz
Images taken from:
wikipedia.org
polg.blogs.com
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Comment by DonnaM
You're a good reviewer.
Comment by Justin
In this day and age of comic-to-film translations coming out thick and fast, we're able to compare them exclusively from their own genre, whilst also within the broader film standards, which gives a multi-faceted critique to why and how they are good.
I haven't seen you round before but will check your stuff out too.
Comment by Adrian
Philosophy Blog
Some neat mutants in this movie. But one can't help being greedy. I wish the whole series were packed with more mutants with more exotic powers.
But that would be at the expense of character development I suppose (tough enough as it is)...
Comment by Justin
Cyke's body wasn't actually seen so it's only a presumption what happened to him. As for Xavier though, it's more conclusive. Yet, being a highly intelligent mutant he could've escaped somehow.
I do too. Psylocke is apparently credited in the film, though having a minor role, likewise with Jubilee. It's only after watching this film I feel like checking out some issues to see what else I can fill the X-void in my life.
Look out for more X-news brought to you by yours truly quite shortly. Surfing around I've come across some interesting quotes from producers and directors alike about very similar movies in the works..
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
I have a bunch of dvd's at home that I need to watch and was working out which one to watch first. After reading your review, X Men 3 is going right in the dvd player when I get home.
Comment by Justin
Thanks for your comments. I think X-Men 3 will work out for you well since you're into the celebrity game and having the characters established already, you can just sit back and watch the action.
Comment by Stanley
it truly is frustrating but my voice is being drowned out by teenage males with their disposable incomes.
Comment by Justin
The bad reviews probably stem from the change of director and the "vision" number 3 has adopted while consequently departing from the previous two. It is quite different, not everyone will like its direction, but does provide for an interesting story.
You're right about Hollywood - the number of comics to films, games to films and sequels that's on the rise all account for a business that's transparently going for the tried and true big bucks. Not to be blamed entirely - because it is a business afterall - but it is regrettable that the mediums widespread international influence is dependent on the core of people that will pay money to see it. In a way, catering for a clientele that everyone else suffers for.
Yet we are lucky the comics and sequels are mostly half-decent albeit unoriginal.
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Great review... great movie...great series...
I was a little taken aback with this final...not what I expected at all! I,m always surprised when central characters don't make it out...I guess I like happy endings, so the change in directors bought that point out very clearly for me, with a grittier film, with a not so happy ending in a Matrix-style dystopia... I don't know it's a new genre... perhaps post existentialism...? I felt cheated of a happy ending and like Adrian, I guess I'm hoping Xavier and Jean come back... there are certain things that are not the same without certain characters...it's like an era dies with them, but when is a better time to make such a transition than at the end of an era?
X-men 3 left me thinking that someone will soon do a prequel...don't know why I thought that… maybe to explain The Phoenix Saga better and bring back Jean…who knows? I was not disappointed at having spent $10 to see it on the big screen… and I thought there was great wisdom in presenting Jeans “problem” the way they did…
Maybe I’d be kinder with a 5 star rating…*lol*
Lilla…
Comment by Justin
It wasn't what I expected at all either. Much less sentimental, charismatic than the first couple. Yet more oddly human and mortal. Strange. And Ratner was fairly mercenary with the script (likewise with the writers who I think also penned the first couple) as you've found out to some key characters. Not dismissing Jean and Xavier but Scott as well?! Being my favourite through the comics and having a soft spot for him in the films even though he was largely unlikeable - I was crushed.
You're right, the end of an era signals a new one. Producers have begun works on a Wolverine film which may star cameos by the other X-Men. Or may pick-up halfway inbetween one of the trilogy. For instance the Canadian research lab that fitted him admantium endoskeleton.
Who knows? Either way I'm looking forward to more X-Men related stuff. Just out of curiosity - how many "starz" would you have given the film?
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
...yes Scott, I didn't mention him because it hurt too much... actually the others were okay compared to Scott's death ... I think I blocked it out... couldn't believe it...
I think I said 5 stars, but the same for starz ... not compared against the other two... but as a stand alone in the sea of popular cinematrix... I loved Kelsey Grammer and the sfx of any sci-fi (pronounced 'skiffy' by my mum)*lol*
I actually didn't think Wolverine was all that... but it figures with my psychic interests and abilities that I would opt for understanding more about that side of the x-men phenomenon... esp. Jean and Xavier's telepathic mutations...btw, did I tell you before, that I read palms...?
It's all good too, i.e. your health will be good for many years to come...
Lilla...
Comment by Justin
Aah, so you liked this film more than others reviewed here? Kelsey was phenomenally cast as Beast, or as Wolverine denotes "the furball".
Yeah, Wolvy has no telepathic mutations. Just that heightened sense of smell, admantium claws, fast-acting healing regeneration, super strength and a round-the-clock -a-few-times 5 o-clock shadow.
You read palms? Interesting. But since you haven't seen mine, how do you know my "health will be good for many years to come"?
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
on Assumption, pure and simple (making ASS [out of] U [and] ME)...
The orble hand tag of course!
Lilla...
...almost... but, no... not better than Star Wars Sextology ...
Comment by Justin
I momentarily forgot myself.
Star Wars, X-Men and the Lord of the Rings will go down as some of the biggest and most popular combination of fantasy films ever.
Comment by KylieW
Celebrity Obsession
Just had to come back and say that you were right on the money. I really enjoyed the movie!
KylieW
Comment by Justin
It makes my job so much easier when people make good movies, so much more love and good will is in the air..