Below Average...

Rating: 4/10 (1 June 2006)

Let me get this out of the way - I don't think that I've ever read an X-Men comic in my life. I've only watched the cartoon when I was younger.
This movie pales in comparison with the first two, if only for the lack or character development/motives. I LOVE going to a movie to suspend disbelief, so when I am unable to, the plot holes must be glaring.
Going from day to night in the blink of an eye? Killing off (or having mutants lose their powers) for no apparent reason other than for shock value? Cyclops, Xavier, Mystique, Rogue, Jean Grey/Pheonix, and Magneto are all rendered either a) dead or b) without powers. Not to mention a number or minor mutants that bite the dust. IMO, this was just uncalled for, mostly because they do nothing to advance the storyline.
The character development was also bizarre - even the well known characters were acting differently than they were in the first two films. You can really tell that there was a different director at the helm of this one.
All in all, this movie was a major letdown for me. If you go and see it, don't expect to be blown away.