As one of the most anticipated films (and sequels) of the summer, X-Men 3: The Last Stand, was somewhat of a let down. Not that it was a horrible film, because it was actually quite good. But as the ending of the epic triliogy of one of the greatest comic book stories of all time, it was unsatisfactory.
While Bryan Singer was down under shooting Superman Returns, (and apparently helping Peter Jackson shoot King Kong...) Brett Ratner became the new X-director. Singer, who's fame as a director took off after Usual Suspects, grew before our eyes as a director. The difference between X-Men and X-Men 2: X-Men United was wonderful to witness. The second one seemed to work out the flaws of the first one, and was a much stronger, powerful and more enjoyable piece of film. As an X-fan, I could not wait to see how much better still the third movie was. Unfortunately, Rush Hour director, Ratner, just did not seem ready to take on such an enormous project.
The second X-movie's epic power was incredible. Looking at how triliogies generally go, the first one introduces the characters, the second deals with a major conflict, and the third swells up into a culminating moment where all ends are tied and the audience is left feeling satisfied and perhaps a little teary eyed. X-2 had such a driving force, that no doubt the third one would continue is momentum. This is where Ratner just did not make the grade. His use of overdramatics tried to pull the audience in (Hugh Jackman's final Wolverine moment of, and I quote, "Noooooooooooo!) This is a perfect example of a director trying too hard to make an epic finale and not letting the story tell itself.
There were so many new characters introduced that it almost seemed at points like a side show act. Some mutants seemed like they were just showing off what visual effects could do now, or just to wow the audiences. The biggest upset as far as characters go was the almost non-existant Angel, played by Six Feet Under's Ben Foster. He is in the trailer more than he's in the movie. There was an incredibly interesting opening shot of him as a boy, and a great subplot with him and his father, which was unfortunately only in about the first 2 minutes and the last two minutes of the movie. He seemed to serve no other purpose than to tear a few father-son heart strings. The whole subplot unfortunately was unecessarily and quite annoyingly done.
Some of the characters were wonderful, however. There was of course, Beast, played by television brainiac Kelsey Grammar. His character was one of the most enjoyable points in the film. He was witty and very real- Beast, also known as Dr. Hank McCoy, was actually sort of a government liason to the mutant world. He sat with the president and other officials and helped with difficult decisions. It was sort of a slap in the face to the biggoted mutant-hating world of humans. (He was only blue and furry, of course... we all know that someone black or gay or Muslim could never hold an official position such as that. This is only fiction............. and I do hope you realize my cynical sarcasm there.) This film, more so than the other films, brought out the real issue that has been woven into X-stories for years: civil rights. That all men, black, white, christian, atheist, jewish, muslim, gay, straight or mutant, are people, with the same capacity as any other human being. It also pointed out that not every group of people is good or evil. The mutants break into two distinctive groups in this film: the rebels, who plan on destroying those who wish to destroy them, and the X-Men, who stand up against the rebel mutants to protect their fellow humans. This one also had much more underlying homosexual themes: a "cure" to this "disease" they call "mutation." Very powerful stuff.
Social themes aside, there was one other incredible aspect about this film: Jean Grey, played once again brilliantly by Famke Janssen. I will not give too much away (I'm sure you figured out she is alive from the trailers, or any of you who have read the comics, OR any of you who know that her mutant name is Pheonix,) but her part in the film is great.
So, standing on its own, this is a great, enjoyable film. However, the brilliant ending to a three-part epic it is not. Plus, with the open-ending and hidden ending (stay after the credits!) there is no possible way this can be the end. There is a Wolverine movie announced, but sadly, no other X-films. Definately go see this one if you are a fan at all of the X-franchise. Do see the other two movies first if you have not seen them at all. You may want to rewatch the first two before hand, but it is not necessary. A very enjoyable film.
Overall Grade: B (on its own) C (as the ending of a triliogy)
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