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Movie Review by:
Jim "Good Old JR" Rutkowski
Directed by: Brett Ratner
Written by: Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry
Running time: 93 minutes,
Released: 05/26/06.
Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content
and language. |
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X-Men viewers, this is probably as straightforward as it
gets: if you liked the first two, you're likely to
appreciate the third. X-Men: The Last Stand isn't as taut or
satisfying as X-Men 2, but it's better constructed and
better paced than the original X-Men. The differences in
quality between the three are minor, however; and, despite
the change in directors (Brett Ratner replacing Bryan
Singer, who bolted to helm Superman Returns), there seems to
be a single vision. Unfortunately, X-Men: The Last Stand
continues the 2006 summer movie blockbuster season trend
that has caused me to shake my head with disappointment. It
really only delivers pretty much what's expected and aspires
to nothing else.
It should be noted that X-Men: The Last Stand diverges
significantly from its comic book source material, so that
may result in issues for die hard fans. Those expecting the
"Dark Phoenix" saga to be replicated on screen are in for an
unpleasant 104 minutes. X-Men: The Last Stand uses the "Dark
Phoenix" premise for an aspect of the film, but it doesn't
unfold the way it did on the printed page. Some people are
going to be offended by this. But the movies are taking a
different road. They should be allowed to do so, and be
judged on the merits of that detour.
Once again, at the core of the story lies the conflict
between humans and mutants. Human scientists have discovered
a way to "suppress the mutant gene," effectively turning
mutants into human beings - permanently. The mutant
community is divided about this. There are those, like Rogue
(Anna Paquin), who see this as an opportunity to shed powers
that have become a burden. Others, like Magneto (Ian
McKellen), view this as an attempt at (human) racial
cleansing. Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and
his X-Men initially sit on the sidelines, urging caution and
tolerance in the face of a growing firestorm. Magneto,
however, rallies an army with the intention of thwarting the
would-be genocide and taking the battle to the humans. But
there's a wrinkle. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) has returned
from the dead, but she's no longer the rational woman she
once was. Now, she's the Phoenix, a creature of appetite and
almost limitless power, and she has elected to side with
Magneto. Even the combined powers of Storm (Halle Berry),
Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Beast (Kelsey Grammer), and the
others may not be enough to touch - let alone stop - her.
There's a lot going on in this film – way too much, really,
especially considering that it clocks in at well under two
hours. This leads to a cramped, rushed feeling. The stories
and relationships are not given any time to breathe. Those
expecting character development won't find much here - this
film is more about sustaining momentum. There's a sense that
the material jammed into this movie might have made a great,
epic-length feature.
X-Men: The Last Stand gives us most of the X-Men we have
grown to know over three movies (Professor X, Cyclops,
Storm, Wolverine, Iceman, Rogue, Jean Grey), returning
mutants with bigger roles (Kitty Pryde, Pyro, Colossus), and
newcomers (Angel, Beast, Juggernaut). It poses ethical
questions about genetics and race. There are some terrific
action sequences and impressive special effects (including a
flashback de-aging of Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen which
is remarkable). But that has come to be expected. There are
moments of low-key humor and understated pathos (the movie
does not try for manipulation during its tragedies).
Too many characters is the problem. At times, it feels like
they're fighting for screen time. Storm's role has been
beefed up to accommodate Halle Berry's desire to be more
Snow White than one of the seven dwarves, but all this does
is give us a greater opportunity to reflect upon how badly
she is miscast. Wolverine isn't as prominent as in the
previous installments, but he still has his share of
memorable moments and corrosive one-liners. The losers are
Professor X, Cyclops, and Rogue - three veterans whose
individual screen times don't run into the double digits.
Ellen Page (Hard Candy) becomes the third actress to play
Kitty Pryde, although I doubt anyone but her two
predecessors noticed the change. Kelsey Grammer is a new
addition, joining the blue-skinned brigade (Alan Cumming's
Nightcrawler is absent, but Rebecca Romijn's Mystique is
still around). Ian McKellen is as delightful as ever and, as
the Phoenix, Famke Janssen provides an opponent truly worthy
of the X-Men.
Rush Hour director Brett Ratner picks up where Bryan Singer
left off. The transition is seamless. In fact, anyone
unaware of the change at the top might not recognize that
one has occurred. Ratner does nothing to call attention to
himself. Based on what shows up on screen, it would seem
that his vilification in some fan circles has been
unwarranted. His presence behind the camera has not "ruined"
the X-Men franchise. That said, however, he has provided
only a moderately entertaining episode that offers a sense
of closure, but not complete satisfaction (there's too
little emotional resonance for that).
X-Men: The Last Stand provides a post credit sequence (of
about 20 seconds) for those who want to stay. My advice,
however, is to leave as soon as the credits start rolling.
The movie works better without this scene, and it could be
argued that this is the film's biggest misstep. I wish I
hadn't hung around to see it, and I think most who miss it
will have a better overall opinion of the film than those
who stick it out. It doesn't play fair with the audience,
and cheapens one of the film's most poignant elements.
It's hard to say whether or not there will be more X-Men
movies. The groundwork has been laid for additional sequels,
but there undoubtedly will be changes, and one suspects that
if there is a fourth installment, few of the original
mutants will be on board. It's hard to imagine Halle Berry,
Patrick Stewart, Anna Paquin, or Hugh Jackman returning
(although the latter may get his own spin-off movie). If
this is the send-off for the "first team," it's barely
adequate. Indeed, that would pretty much describe the entire
series. |
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X-MEN 3:
THE LAST STAND ©
2006 20th Century Fox.
All Rights Reserved
Review © 2006 Alternate Reality, Inc. |
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