I don't think Brett Ratners threequel to Bryan Singers original two X-men featues is as bad as many people think. Fundamentally its an entertaining, well made movie with a great basic story and some great sequences; both dramatic, humorous and action orientated.
The script has two main threads...the re-appearence of Jean Grey, reborn as the powerful Dark Pheonix and the discovery of a new drug which will 'cure' mutants of their abilities. Both allow opportunity for electric character conflict and the potential to explore themes of psychology, politics and sociology. For the most part, Ratner uses production design and lighting and a serious tone reminisant to the first movies, making it feel very much part of a trilogy. WETA's VFX are magnificent.
BUT, the curse of Ratner can't be entirely discounted. The biggest problem is that these stories, and the familiar and new characters the events affect, aren't given any room to breathe and reach their full potential. So the movie feels dumbed down and the characters short-changed. For example, when Mystique is 'cured' and Magneto abandons her...there's virtually no consequence...what is she feeling? How does Magneto live with that decision? Similarly, key character icon Cyclops is killed by Jean Grey. Unlike many hardcore fans I don't object to characters being exteminated...but if it doesn't affect the others dramatically...whats the point?
Rogue, is also mistreated in a similar way.
The mutants are also dumbed down, with the vast majority being able to leap like frogs from boiling water. The inclusion of porcupine boy (surely the most useless ability anywhere) is puzzeling while the entire concept of Juggernaut, from casting, costume design, to dialogue is apocolyptic in every sense.
Go into this with low expectations or low intelligence...and you'll be contently entertained. If you loved the originals...you might wanna reserve that high regard for soimething else.
2 comments:
Yeah, X3 is a fun, good looking movie with some amazing fx and fab action sequences. Sadly though this alone doesn't allow it to stand up to the awesomeness of X1 and especially X2.
The underdeveloped and underwritten script treats several much loved characters terribly. The way the glorious Mystique in particular is treated is just unforgivable. I don't mind her getting 'cured' but it's just done so throw away with no real character or drama based outcome. It is purely done as a plot point for the film. This is something Bryan Singer would NEVER do. Ghastly. And what's she replaced with? Vinie Jones in an awful muscle suit. Tossers! Almost as bad is the way that Cyclops is killed early on without much of a bearing on the rest of the story or the characters. I mean, Cyclops is a HUGE character in X-Men lore. You just don't do that. But on the other hand the loss of Xavier is quite well handled with the levitating house sequence it occurs in being the highlight of the film with awesome fx and thrillingly executed. I can see the cynical reasons they did what they did. They wanted to remove the main leadership figures (Xavier and Cyclops) to allow Wolverine his chance to step up and be the main opposing/emotional force against Jean/Pheonix. But technically Storm should take over X-Men leadership. Yet she doesn't. Huh?
All the regular cast are great - especially Jackman who can do awesome Wolvy badassness in his sleep. The basic story and structure is actually very good and a logical story and thematic conclusion for the original trilogy. I'm sure Bryan Singer would have told pretty much the same story but just done it an awful lot better and with way more respect for the great X-Men characters he helped transfer to the big screen.
X1 and X2 Kick ass maybe not as much as X3 yet it does kick ass. in X1 there is a fairly good setting of story yet X2 has a more action packed story thats what i like about it a good bit of fist on fist well that wouldn't count with wolvarine he'd cut your hand off. Over all X3 is far the best when magnito picks up the brigde and totally owns. Yet the army get the plastic guns so magnito can't munch them you may think tthats clever No! there dumasses i mean he isn't just an old man hes a kickass old man stupid army!
Post a Comment