Good, but doesn't live up to previous installments

Rating: 7/10 (30 May 2006)

I was extremely depressed by this movie - not because it was really bad, but because of the plot. I won't go into any details about what happens, but the movie reminded me of the later Dragonlance novels. -_-
The movie was a special effects showcase more than anything - though one notable thing they did not CG was the literal Phoenix shape (I never really read the comics, though I remember being rather fond of the phoenix-shaped fire surrounding Jean in the cartoon series). So yeah - Phoenix is basically Jean with red hair and really cool eyes + skin when she releases her power.
The story was simplistic, but does deliver surprises (mostly because they were unthinkable prior to watching this). I missed the mystery elements found in the previous installments which added so much more depth to the story. This turned out to be a big action/special effects movie which had some decent acting, that shocks the viewer rather than entice them with a mysterious plot.
So I'm probably a bit biased in this because I was so depressed with the way the story went, but this movie is certainly a better watch than many other superhero movies that have made the theaters *cough*Daredevil*cough*. So it's a good movie, but prepare to be depressed...
7/10