Disappointing

Rating: 5/10 (26 May 2006)

Jean Grey goes insane, in a Fruedian/alter ego way as the Pheonix; Pyro and Iceman fight, I've been waiting for this; there is a cure for the x-gene (not without its blatant homosexuality metaphors we've all come to love from this franchise); larger than ever special effects arenas; and some interesting additions to the cast, done most notably by Grammar as Beast and Ellen Page (a real delight actually) as Kitty Pride. Juggernaut wasn't too bad either.
So, what goes wrong? Really, everything. After beginning promisingly enough with a 20 years ago introduction to Jean, it quickly begins to spiral into a marathon of senseless deaths and unmotivated actions. All the themes and plot lines prove just barely, and I mean frustratingly so, too much for the director, Brett Ratner, to handle. While in the last two movies we saw into the formative moments of Bobby and Pryo and Rogue and Logan and others, here we really only learn more about Jean Grey, a class five (this evidently means she is ridiculously powerful) mutant. Certainly the whole Pheonix storyline was difficult for Ratner to understand and to include, because for most of the movie Jean Grey just stands there next to Magneto not doing anything but having red hair. In the end, we learn nothing more of newcomers like Kitty Pride and Collusus. The film moves so quickly, at such a dizzying speed, betrayals are glossed over and simply not treated with a maturity in storytelling they deserve. Sunddenly, Logan exhibits this deep and intimate bond with Jean Grey that was only ever dismissed in the earlier films. Wolverine is too consistent a character, too good, too reliable without adequate development. Storm is rather less than inspiring, given terrible lines, emerging as something like the leader of the X-Men by necessary default or accident, certainly not as an ideal choice. This would have been fine, but she never rises above the place-filling. Sad.
While some things work, such as Rogue's dilemma concerning whether or not she should take the cure, and my absolutely favorite part where Magneto yells out, "Charles," too many shortcuts and easy outs are taken for this film to be anywhere near satisfying. There are far too many casualties (I've decided one dramatic death done well per film is plenty), a way shmatlzy score, and the climax of the movie is rather rushed and, well, repetitive. I'll say it now, the Iceman/Pyro fight was truly a let down. I had been visualizing this since I saw the second movie three years ago. Clearly, this was a mistake, and I only set myself up for MASSIVE disappointment.
I left asking my brother if it would be possible to unwatch it.