What do you expect? Fine cinema?

Rating: 6/10 (26 May 2006)

I read a lot of "professional" and user reviews of this movie, most of them tearing it to pieces. Well, when the original director leaves with most of the production crew that made it what it was and then return with all new people, what do you expect? A bad decision by Fox, as Singer agreed to do X3 after he decided to salvage something out of Superman Returns (which, by the way, I expect to be a good film, especially after the last two). Then again, Fox has never made good decisions. Futurama? Family? Firefly? These all strike cords as being good shows canceled before their time.
But I digress from the point: X-Men III.
Now you need to note that this is a comic-book based film. No matter who is writing/directing/acting in it, it will never reach fine cinema. Jst look at comic books. They're packed with action and mostly fantastical stories that relate to the readers with common ideas and beliefs.
Sadly, X3 failed at this. The movie was filled with corny lines even a comic book wouldn't touch.
"You of all people know quickly the weather can change." Hahahah, oh my god! The professor made a pun off of Storm's mutant powers. How appropriate. *note sarcasm* There were many other instances such as this. I'll spare you, though.
Unlike the first two films, character development was highly absent. A key character was busy with their own career and was given a short role before being sadly killed off (even though, personally, I always hated the character in the comics and was glad to see them die). Along with them, two others were lost as well.
Halle Berry reprized her role as Storm but threatened to leave unless she got a bigger part. Sad that. I wish she didn't return. The character development they tried to give her was ruined by her alone. I remember precise attempt at a very bad attempt at an African accent in the first one which was ditched soon after in the next film.
Cheesy lines abound and too many characters are introduced and never developed. Fortunately, the actors make up for bad writing and directing. Even Sir Ian McKellan made his horrible lines seem believable. Hugh Jackman once again proved who is the pushing power in the films, And Famke Jamsen (I never quite knew her name well) did a very good job as well, despite having barely any lines. Anna Paquin was nearly snubbed out of this film. I never liked the rendition of her character in the film (I miss southern accent, flying, super strength Rogue from the comics), but she did a good job at the role that was given to her regardless. Instead, she seemed to be replaced by the role of Kitty Pride, aka Shadowcat, aka the role that's been played by a different actress in each film.
There are some good fan moments. Beast's role was played perfectly. Even his small part of reciting philosophy in the heat of battle well suited him. Even the Juggernaut recites a line everyone should know if you're a fan of internet spawned fads.
But if you know the comics and look at any of these films, you can spot a lot of clashing material. Beast appeared in the films earlier by a different actor on a TV screen in the background, minus the blue fur. And wait...Colossus is Russian right? Couldn't tail from the films...
But it's comic-book based movie. For the $5 or more you payed for the ticket, its worth it. You get action, cheesy lines, and mutant powers galore. It's not fine cinema, but if it comes between seeing this or MI:III again...I'll choose X3.