Save Your Money, Wait for the DVD

Rating: 6/10 (16 June 2006)

The movie starts off well but never seems to keep it's ground. When major characters die throughout the film, whom you've come to know and love throughout the previous two (even comic book fans), there is no emotional effect because, quite simply, the film is rushed. The strong points to this film are Wolverine, Beast, Magneto, and the ending. The rest of the film isn't that great. It is entertaining, but frustrating. You're never really told when one of the major characters die, it's hinted. When the second one dies you have no time to react because just as soon as he/she dies, you're past his/her funeral. The only real time you feel even a small bit of emotion is during the final scenes of the film. Anna Paquin's acting as Rogue finally shines in this film, however, she's only on screen for five minutes. You never get to see Rogue's potential and are disappointed with what they do with her. Also, Halle Berry's negotiating for a stronger role in this film hurts the film because although Halle Berry is a good actor (and nice body), Storm's voice is also interjecting ideas like the person who always plays devil's advocate which in turns hurts the other characters and their dialogue throughout the film. Furthermore, you never really get the big epic fight you're expecting from the bad guys such as Pyro and Juggernaught. They're hyped up throughout the film but finished fast. The ending to the film, the big battle, is a good part for two reasons. One is that you finally see the x men do their thing. Go all out and fight. Secondly, you get to see the Dark Pheonix do her thing. Destroy everything that exists. My biggest problem with the film is how the pacing is rushed. This isn't merely Brett Ratner's fault, because he did what he could with the script and deadline he had, but rather Fox's. If Fox had let this film grow, mature, and let Ratner go into the minute details without having the deadline of coming out before Superman Returns to start off the summer, the film may have been with par with the other two.
This is one film I recommend that you go and just rent it when it becomes available on DVD because it is not worth the admission ticket at the theaters.