Just doesn't hold up

Rating: 8/10 (15 August 2006)

Sorry, but the third X-Film just isn't as good as the first two. But, that doesn't mean that it isn' t good. Ratner's spin on the X-Men is more CG driven than character driven, but he still provides good plot in a fast-paced style that's not horrible, just different. However, the sub-plots overtake the main story and ruin what would have been decent pacing. The Kitty Pride story is a good subplot that provides a good arc for both Iceman and Rogue. However, some emotional sidelines never feel quite completed or adequately put together. The death of Xavier would have been great had the funeral scene been thrown away. It didn't have the emotional gravitas that would have been needed to make it worth the time. Also, the death of Cyclops was just simply pushed aside by plot. However, Ratner succeeded in bringing an excellent climax worthy of a much better film. Logan's near sacrifice to "save" Jean is gripping and moving. He, Ratner, moved the trilogy in a different direction but in the end he held true to Singer's vision. You can feel Logan's pain and Jean's relief as she dies. It is beautiful. I think this film has been unfairly cast into the pit of bad. It deserves more respect. Ratner just isn't as good a director as Singer; our expectations were dashed was all. The bar was set high, sadly, higher than Ratner could reach is all. It is definitely worth watching.