The Weird Turn Pro

A cure for mutation is found in the last of the three X-Men films.  Rounding out the trilogy with the high production value, all star cast, and high intensity action you’ve come to expect from the series, the third installment sadly falls short of being as good as it’s predecessors.  With the same cast, a now established franchise and the framework already set up from X2 one can only place the failings of this movie at the hands of the new director Brett Ratner (Rush Hour 1, 2).  Sadly this downward spiral is only exacerbated by some bad plot decisions and sub-par acting from otherwise spectacular actors. 

It’s hard not to simply list the faults of this movie and write it off in the way most do Return of the Jedi, but there are some interesting elements of this film. As a fan of the previous films as well as the comic series one of the things always done right is the introduction of new mutants and none were done better than Dr. Henry McCoy (Kelsey Grammer) as Beast.  It’s hard to evoke a true sense of sophistication and dignity that the character had on paper but as usual the casting director hits the nail on the head once again with what is arguably everyones first pick for the role.  Juggernaut (Vinnie Jones) is also surprisingly interesting considering the character’s limited screen time and role as more of a henchmen to Magneto (Ian McKellen) than an actual super-villain.  Unfortunately the other major new introductions: Angel (Ben Foster), Callisto (Dania Ramirez) and Multiple Man (Eric Dane) fail to impress as much though I blame that more on the director and the script than the actors themselves.

Continuing where the second film left off, Cyclops (James Marsden) is mourning the loss of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).  Becoming more like Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), he has been shirking his responsibilities, stops shaving, and ultimately runs off on the motorcycle from the mansion ala Wolverine in the first film when he hears Jean’s voice in his head.  He returns to Alkali Lake only to find her alive and their passionate embrace is all that’s seen of Cyclops again.  If anything proves that the writers either hated the character of Cyclops or James Marsden personally it’s been their treatment of him in these films, and just like in X-Men and X2, his character’s screen time is brief.  Fans of Cyclops if you weren’t happy in the first two films this one is the swift kick in the groin you’ve been expecting.

Storm (Halle Berry) and Wolverine have become the apparent X-Men duo as they train a new group of X-Men; Iceman (Shawn Ashmore), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) and Colossus (Daniel Cudmore) in a Danger Room sequence that is a nod to the Days of Future Past  storyline.  Wolverine’s lack of teamwork puts him at odds with Storm in our transparent moral of the story moment of the film.  Sadly, Hugh Jackman seems to be walking through this role and that can only be blamed on bad direction as he is an incredible actor in the previous films.  Halle Berry doesn’t impress either but considering her lack of prowess in the first movie I give her a thumbs up anytime she doesn’t drag the film down.

Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) is captured infiltrating a government facility.  She has discovered the source of the mutant cure and has informed Magneto.  Magneto uses this as a rallying cry to remake the Brotherhood, which had dwindled to Mystique and Pyro by the beginning of this installment.  Upon rescuing her he recruits other captured mutant criminals Juggernaut and Multiple Man to The Brotherhood.

Discovering Jean Grey is alive both Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Magneto go to her childhood home, mutant teams in tow, to discover she has been possessed (or released) by her dormant and stronger Phoenix personality locked inside by Xavier when she was a child.  In what I would call the best scene in the film Xavier and Magneto represent their opposing viewpoints with Xavier trying to help her gain control of her powers and Magneto wishing her to unleash them.  Phoenix lashes out—proving to be stronger than Magneto and Xavier—though she ultimately goes with Magneto.  The convergence of acting, writing and special effects in this sequence makes it a stand out scene for the series and arguably the scene with the most emotional impact in the trilogy.

As you could guess the two divergent teams ultimately come head to head when Magneto and his swelling Brotherhood attack the source of the mutant cure on Alcatraz Island.  The X-Men, now joined by Beast as well, though fewer in number have to work together to defeat Magneto’s small army.  The inevitable fight between Iceman and Pyro happens here and is sadly underwhelming after a film and a half worth of build up.  Kitty Pryde taking on Juggernaut was straight from the comics and comes off very well.  Callisto and Storm are also underwhelming in their fight sequence.  Beast quoting Churchill only to cut himself off with “Oh, you get the idea” was a priceless moment deserving of best quote for this film.  

Sadly the finale with Wolverine and Jean is weak and transparent from the start.  Once again this is a scene that should have been Cyclops.  Had it been him the scene would have been profound but instead comes off clumsy.  Wolverine crying is arguably laughable given the seriousness of the moment.

The Last Stand indeed, this final installment is the Alamo of the X-Men falling short of movie victory even if the fictional heroes win in the end.  Though combined with X2 it’s a decent two part story arc, there are so many flaws in this last film that if you really want a enjoyable X-Men experience your time could be better spent rereading some of the classic comics than watching this film.

Review by DJ Aengel