Heartbreaking

Rating: 8/10 (31 May 2006)

There is a saying in Hollywood, "When you do something that inflames passion, you're going to p--- people off." That is the best way I can describe the negative reactions from fans and non-fans alike. I went to see this film after hearing scores of them, so my expectations were somewhat lowered. However, I didn't have many of the same expectations because I didn't know what to expect with a new director.
Brian Singer never impressed me completely as the director of X-Men 1 and 2. Though I loved Apt Pupil, and his bringing Ian McKellen into the franchise, Singer's 'screenwriter' failed to deliver anything in the way of a good script. So, when I learned the director of the Rush Hour franchise was signed on to replace him, I thought, cool. Change would be good. But can Ratner pull it off? I just saw this movie, and after careful deliberation, my opinion is unchanged. Yes he did.
Brett Ratner was an absolute perfect choice as director of an action-filled comic book movie. He brings so much more from so-so actors, and gives such controlled freedom to the great ones.
There are sub-story lines that go in many different directions, but they're all focused around one central plot all the way through.
The accusations that this film didn't stay true to the comic books seems a little reaching. Given that the comics cover a range of different story lines and interpretations that never maintain a state of total continuity. I was a little caught-off-guard that they didn't go into the Kitty / Peter dynamic, favoring a triangle between her, Rogue and Bobby, but that probably made it a more interesting sub-plot that carried back to the main one. I'm not much of a comic-book fan though, so remaining true to certain relationships concerns me little as a fan alone. Though I do recognize that canon is important to maintain out of respect to the creators (by the way, nice cameos, Mr. Lee, Mr. Claremont). Oh well, explore it in the next one.
Many times I noticed how X-Men: The Last Stand had lifted a lot of its plot and dialog straight out of a range of the series from Claremont's to Joss Whedon's. The parts that worked anyway.
Though improved dramatically from the previous films, Halle Barry's performance was still a bit stilted. But they wrote her into the storyline as a more useful character and this helped a great deal. Ben Foster was another actor I had some problems with (maybe it's just the cheekbones, I'll get over it), but I absolutely loved his character. And he made it real.
The way they played Angel's storyline. His relationship with his father, and his father's motivations for pushing the "Cure." Those lines when Worthington II insists, "I only wanted to help you." Followed by a biting, "Does it look like we need your help?" and just as he goes over the side of the building, well, I won't spoil it anymore for you. But it is awesome.
Everything about this film is absolutely perfect. My favorite of the 3. Another aspect I was drawn to was the complex relationship surrounding Magneto and Phoenix as the teacher / resistant pupil. The connections between them, the chemistry between them, as well as the friendship / rivalry between Magneto and Charles Xavier, oozes off of the screen.
The complexity of Magneto has never been more thoroughly explored. Though motivations and acts of violence are definitively silly, the conviction with which he and Phoenix seem to do it makes it absolutely real.
Great comic book film. One of the best so far. Brings so much reality to the science fiction genre. That's always been the appeal of Marvel Comics, I think.
It's brutal. It's violent. It's good, family viewing.