X3 last stand - last gasp is more likely.

Rating: 2/10 (28 May 2006)

The movie is the third and likely the last in what is being called the X-men trilogy. It leads on from the previous two and features most of the same heroes. Unlike the previous two this is not a fabulous movie screen adaptation of the comics.
There are two major story lines competing for screen time. One deals with a cure for mutation - the other the miraculous rise from her supposed death of Jean Grey. Either would have sufficed. Unfortunately there is insufficient time to explore both and the movie ends up disjointed and neither thread is satisfactorily explored or played for depth.
The actors are treated similarly. The big two hog the limelight and the story is greatly flawed as it look like rewrites eliminated continuity and storyline to cater to more screen time for Ororo and Wolverine. The elimination of other characters which should have been powerful stuff - seems lacking in drama.
There are the usual trademark marvel iconic moments from the source material. Jean holding back Scot's optic blasts . Golden Gate bridge being ripped apart by magneto. And scenes of the future apocalypse of 'Nightmare of future past' are glimpsed in a danger room scene.
Much absent is any real continuity with any of the original Pheonix storyline or material. And the name is not synonymous of her rebirth but is explained away as a nickname for a split personality. Poor stuff. Also lacking is any Pheonix effect - as is suggested in the closing of x2 when the traditional Phoenix effect can be glimpsed under the water. Also the 'Phoenix' storyline - thought off to a promising start - essentially disappears after about 40 minutes and is only then revisited in the last 5 minutes. As if it is an afterthought. This reeks of a director including stuff because he is told to - there is not feeling of this being a work of art. Its a comic book equivalent of a slasher flick. which has itself been butchered by its own director.
If mindless superhero violence is your thing then this is it. If you want rounded characters, powerful drama and a continuation of X-men and X2 - then I'm afraid you will be sorely disappointed.
This is a watch once and throw away movie. The movie obviously lost is way in the numerous changes of director. A criminal waste after the first two movies.