New X-Men movie does justice to franchise
Movie review appeared in Fort McMurray Today May 30, 2006.
By PAULA OGONOSKI
Today staff
While I wouldn't go as far as saying that X-Men has mutated into a better film than its predecessors, it's still one of the best comic book adaptations of all time.
The newest instalment is the most mature of the three, allowing the story to grow with its audience the same way Harry Potter films became darker, adding a heavier load for their viewers.
In the new instalment, a major pharmaceutical company has developed a way to suppress the mutant X-gene, permanently. They're calling it a cure. Lines are drawn and Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) crew, led by Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Storm (Halle Berry), must fight Magneto (Ian McKellen), their old nemesis. But this time Magneto has more than his blue-skinned sidekick (Rebecca Romijn) at his side. This battle will pit friend against friend as a new, more powerful mutant threatens to destroy the human race.
I'll give the writers credit for not wasting a lot of time getting the audience up to date. The film definitely caters to those who have seen the first two films, but the story is still lacking in some areas. It feels forced and -- without giving anything away -- some characters are conveniently taken out of the plot in ways that seemed very much against their personalities.
But where the plot is lacking, special effects explode with fierce realism and edge-of-your-seat action. The no-holds-barred climax of the film is enough to send shivers down one's spine.
The plot's various levels -- in all three films -- is part of what has made the trilogy so successful. The more mature, complex content is evident if one looks a little deeper than in a simple action flick. While mutants in real life are simply genetic aberrations that don't have super powers, there are many parallels in the X-Men stories to the world around us.
That said, it's not all serious. Much of the dialogue is tongue-in-cheek; the characters never take themselves too seriously.
If you're a fan, you'll love The Last Stand; if not, go rent the first two movies and get on the X-Men bandwagon.
Word of caution: There's a not-so-secret scene after the end credits. To uncover the secret, stick around until the ushers start cleaning the popcorn mess around you.
X-Men 3: The Last Stand
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry
Directed by Brett Ratner
Rating: PG
* * * (out of four)
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
By PAULA OGONOSKI
Today staff
While I wouldn't go as far as saying that X-Men has mutated into a better film than its predecessors, it's still one of the best comic book adaptations of all time.
The newest instalment is the most mature of the three, allowing the story to grow with its audience the same way Harry Potter films became darker, adding a heavier load for their viewers.
In the new instalment, a major pharmaceutical company has developed a way to suppress the mutant X-gene, permanently. They're calling it a cure. Lines are drawn and Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) crew, led by Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Storm (Halle Berry), must fight Magneto (Ian McKellen), their old nemesis. But this time Magneto has more than his blue-skinned sidekick (Rebecca Romijn) at his side. This battle will pit friend against friend as a new, more powerful mutant threatens to destroy the human race.
I'll give the writers credit for not wasting a lot of time getting the audience up to date. The film definitely caters to those who have seen the first two films, but the story is still lacking in some areas. It feels forced and -- without giving anything away -- some characters are conveniently taken out of the plot in ways that seemed very much against their personalities.
But where the plot is lacking, special effects explode with fierce realism and edge-of-your-seat action. The no-holds-barred climax of the film is enough to send shivers down one's spine.
The plot's various levels -- in all three films -- is part of what has made the trilogy so successful. The more mature, complex content is evident if one looks a little deeper than in a simple action flick. While mutants in real life are simply genetic aberrations that don't have super powers, there are many parallels in the X-Men stories to the world around us.
That said, it's not all serious. Much of the dialogue is tongue-in-cheek; the characters never take themselves too seriously.
If you're a fan, you'll love The Last Stand; if not, go rent the first two movies and get on the X-Men bandwagon.
Word of caution: There's a not-so-secret scene after the end credits. To uncover the secret, stick around until the ushers start cleaning the popcorn mess around you.
X-Men 3: The Last Stand
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry
Directed by Brett Ratner
Rating: PG
* * * (out of four)
© Copyright 2006, Fort McMurray Today.
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