Excellent...but a finale?

Rating: 9/10 (4 June 2006)

After reading the mixed reviews from critics and fans alike, I was slightly wary before seeing X3. Let it be known that I am not a fan-boy; I do not own any x-men comics, I have read a couple but that's the extent of my connection with the original comics. Whether or not this lessens my view is something else.
I thought X3 was the most entertaining film I've seen in a while. Reading through comments on IMDb it seems many are disgruntled with the shortcomings of the story, the plot acting as a foundation for impressive visual effects. I can understand fans being annoyed about the mish-mash and dilution of stories in this film, but those who claim the plot wasn't complex or exploratory, what did you expect? The first two X-Men films were also excellent, but neither had an amazing storyline. I've also read a lot of whining about X3 containing no emotion or character development. As for emotion, X3 is the most moving of all the X-Men films, but I agree with others in saying a lot more could have been said about the X-Mens reaction to the cure. A lot of people are saying there was little character development in the film. For those new mutants on-screen for the first time, I agree - little background is provided and some insight to their lives (in the way Angel is introduced at the start) might have been good. For established characters such as Wolverine, Cyclops, Storm etc, there is no need for character development or time dedicated to their stories - What do you think the first 2 films were for? I don't want to watch Wolverine blabbing on about his life, I already know about it due to the films that came before this one. Besides, this is not a drama series - it is a set of action films. While the X-Men films blends action with strong characters, I still want battles, explosions and eye-candy.
Which brings me on to the visuals. Jaw-dropping. The special effects in X3 make M:I-3 look like it had a budget of 300 quid. X3, because of its special effects, feels epic in a way that the previous films did not, while retaining some of their humour and emotion. Although the film is missing Singer, it follows a formula that one could imagine Singer directing, which makes me wonder why viewers are so upset about his absence. The film flows perfectly with the other two, and Ratner has done a good job (even if he allowed some cringe-worthy moments of cheesiness) Overall X3 is everything I hoped for - The great elements of the first X-Men films combined with a grandness that elevates the franchise. Despite many claiming it lacks emotion, and while the acting from some is hardly inspiring, it manages to be moving in places. Some won't agree with me, but even if you find the film average, you can't deny it blasts every other comic book adaptation out of the water even when it's mediocre.