X3?

Rating: Null/10 (20 January 2004)

Okay, I have to admit to being a serious X-geek in my past. Yep, got a complete run of Uncanny 1-300+, complete New Mutants, X-Factor 1-100 or so, Wolverine 1-100+, Exacalibur 1-40 (or so), most of the 4-issue mini-series, graphic novels, etc, from ancient history to early/mid-90s. I have *always* wanted to see my favorite team brought to the big screen, and with the original X-Men, I got my wish. Summation of first movie: the best comics adaptation ever. Sure, a few things were changed, to consolidate 40 years worth of comics into a movie for the new millenium, but the changes were minor and forgivable. Not quite enough action for my tastes, but the director was obviously trying for something a little bit more than the average action fantasy. Over the years I've spent almost every action movie thinking, "Hrm, would So-and-so be a good (X-man name)?" With the first movie, I have to admit, I cannot for the life of me think of another actor or actress I would rather see in that particular role.
So, X-Men fulfilled the majority of an X-geek's expectations.
X2 exceeded them. Seriously, I've been reading the comments here, and wondering if some of these people saw the same movie I did. Gee, the plot wasn't enough for you? Let's see...a mutant attacks the President; you don't think that will initiate a rather violent response? William Stryker just "pops up" with a plan? Now, let's think about this logically. We had a Senator last movie trying to pass legislation to require mutant registration...anyone with a functioning brain cell will realize the mutant problem is obviously well known in this universe, to this government. Obviously, the military is going to have some sort of Mutant Response Team, such as...oh, how about William Stryker?
Thin plot, you say? Perhaps, to those more used to sub-titled art films whose main claim to brilliance is their incomprehensibility. I think that's the definition of "plot" to these people: "If I can understand it, it can't be any good! If I have NO idea what's going on, it must be a great plot!"
Too many characters? Well, you have to understand there's been scores of X-men, and every X-geek has their favorite. Wolverine was the hands-down favorite; he had to be in the movies even though in the comics he didn't show up until the series hit the mid-nineties. I was well pleased with those they included, and focused on...to someone familiar with the comics, it gives a lot of interesting avenues of exploration.
Now, my main complaint. Hugh Jackman as Wolverine is simply awesome. There's nothing I can complain about as far as his portrayal (except his height, but even that is minor).
BUT!!!
C'mon...Wolverine is arguably the most experienced, battle-toughened, kick-ass guy in the WORLD! (Possible exception of Sabertooth, but that's another plot line that can be explored).
So how come in BOTH movies, he gets his butt handed to him by a girl? Seriously...in X1, Mystique basically treats him like a used redheaded stepchild. In `reality' (comics or otherwise), she'd have hit him once and broke every bone in her hand. Adamantium, folks. Try punching a steel girder with all your strength, see what happens. She's a shapechanger; she doesn't take on the powers or characteristics of her `target'.
Then, X2...better fight scene against Deathstrike, but still...once again, the girl kicks his butt and only through luck does he win. That really harshes my mellow.
I mean...is the director/screenwriters going with the easy out? His memory got scrambled so he forgot how to fight? We have to be PC and because Wolvie is so bad-ass, we have to have a girl beat him up?
Never mind there was zero explanation for Deathstrike. Sure, she had the mind-control thing going on, but it wears off. Why, in all the opportunities she had, did she say nothing about her motivation. Not even an aside, saying something to Stryker.
This leads me to my hopes/thoughts for X3. We're obviously going to be seeing Phoenix in the future, as well as (hopefully) more of Colossus. Now, they could run with the Phoenix thing (probably will), but I'd like to see Wolverine exploring his Japanese connection. Perhaps tracing Deathstrike, etc.
And please do something about Rogue. She's about a waste of film right now. Anna Paquin does a great job with what she's given, but if ever there's a character screaming "Damsel In Distress", it's Rogue. She deserves much better. Perhaps in X3 they'll do the Ms. Marvel thing so Rogue actually has some use.
Those are concerns for a future movie. I suspect they'll wind up doing a franchise, rather than a strict trilogy. Wolverine deserves his own movie, as do the New Mutants. There are so many characters to introduce and explore...there's no way we'll truly be satisfied with just 3 movies!