Not a Disaster, but not Amazing either

Rating: Null/10 (4 June 2006)

The third installment of the X-Men franchise was a big disappointment for me, though it must be said that I did have rather high expectations for it. The story's basic premise is actually solid: a newly discovered serum can remove one's mutant (super)powers. There was a lot to be done with this from a scriptwriter's point of view, and it seems that the production team really tried to touch upon everything. The result is a total lack of focus, bits and pieces of various importance are sown together as if to tell the viewer: "Hey, yes, we thought of that too, no worries." It is not so much that the movies seems very superficial at times, after all it's a swashbuckling sci-fi comic book inspired adventure, but that by attempting to be something more, it sort of sacrifices its origins, and frankly achieves nothing in any higher purpose or message.
The acting is not a major weakness nor strength in this movie. It is very unequal throughout. Before singling out some characters for praise or blame, in their defense, the dialogue is below pitiful, reminiscent of the recent Bond movies. For some reason, Halle Berry's Storm is stuck with some of the most preposterous bull^Y%& lines of the recent past. She doesn't do a great job delivering them either, but how much one can blame her is up for grabs. I wonder where this franchise would be without the decent performances from Jackman, Stewart and McKellen.
All in all, a significant step back from X2, still decent by say "Fantastic Four" standards, but well below the other installments in the franchise and recent comic book gems such as Batman Begins. Skip it a the theaters, rent it instead.
Hugh Jackman - 8/10 - Thank god, he's still here.
Halle Berry - 2/10 - Her eyes say where's my cheque, her acting deserves one of those raspberry awards, though before giving it to her, we should probably wait to see if Madonna produces something this year.
Ian McKellen - 8/10 - Thank god, he's still here.
Famke Janssen - 7/10 - One of the better female mutants.
Patrick Stewart - 8/10 - Thank god, he's still here.
Brett Ratner - 4/10 - Probably could have done much worse, but still.
Simon Kinberg - Zak Penn - 3/10 - A bit of focus would help these gentlemen.