X-Men 3: a rope of sand: spoiler free

Rating: 2/10 (26 May 2006)

Well, there are few things I can think of that have been as disappointing for me as X3. This is a let down on par with Star Wars Episode I, finding out there is no Santa Clause or being turned down when you ask your squeeze to prom. The first and biggest problem is that of the score: the ridiculously grandiose score made parts of this movie unbearable. I would have preferred no music at all to the deafening, corny, atrocity that was unleashed from the speakers. Second was the directing and cinematography style. These meaningless, over-the-top, grand shots work for Rush Hour; not X-Men. Bryan Singer (director X-Men 1 & 2) created a world through style that, in making a sequel, Ratner (direcor X3) should have based his direction off of. This movie reeks of bad directing choices. The style is TO BIG and has lost the real world quality fans loved about the first 2. Next up I have no idea how a screenplay like this ever got approved. This IS the last x-men movie and that is the biggest mistake of all: this franchise could have easily yielded up to 4 more (very profitable) sequels. This movie has a lot of what Singer and David Hayter (writer) did a great job of avoiding in the first 2 films: lots of sub-plots that go nowhere and have little to do with what is happening. Zak Penn should know better having collaborated on X2. He and Simon Kinberg should be kicked for the horrible dialog, disgraceful plot and unnecessary changes that appear within. (Not that I think these movies should be exactly the same as the comics, X1 & 2 proved that, but they should bear SOME resemblance to the source we know and love). This movie seems to have a lot of nothing and not enough of anything. Additions like Angel, Beast, Kitty, Colossis, Calisto, Juggernaught, Mardox, Leech, Dr. Rao, Moria, Trask and the danger room were not used nearly enough and just felt kinda squeezed in without serving the plot. Another factor on my S list is the Special Effects: Ratner got sloppy. It is clear that little attention was paid to this aspect of the film and without demanding a higher quality and harder work of CGI the SFX fell FAR behind that of X2 and the Spiderman movies. Directors like Rami (spiderman) and Singer worked extremely hard in this department to make SFX shots seamless and realistic but Ratner let that fall to the waist-side in a way that is reminiscent of the FX in Mortal Kombat.The only thing this movie has going for it is good fight choreography and stunt work. Now the big question: WHO IS TO BLAME? I will tell you simply where the blame lies: 20th Century Fox. By pushing for a 2006 release, in spite of Singer's Superman involvement, and rushing this movie out they have killed an extremely profitable, loved and (most importantly) good franchise while trying to make more money quickly. They should have waited for Singer & Hayter to be available and in 2008 we would have had a strong third film and a much more enjoyable, concise and pleasing movie. The Fans Have Spoken.