Toss me. Don't tell Xavier - X-Men III mini review

[anotheranon]

Disclaimer: I'm aware that the movie was based on an epic storyline in the comic books that could hardly be done justice in a 2 hour movie. Having said this, I'm not familiar with the X-Men comic books, so this didn't really bother me too much.


Highlights:

• Ian McKellen chewed a lot of scenery as Magneto - again. Not high art, but then, this movie isn't really meant to be. He's a joy to watch in almost anything, I bet he had a ton of fun in this role :)
  
• Costumes - oh, the shiny! Especially the bad guys (tattooage! Corsetage!)
  
• Hugh Jackman's arms, oh my, Mr. Jackman shirtless! [cough] Ok, shutting up now.
  
• wild fighting out the ying-yang, including the demolition/relocation of a major American landmark. For standard action fare, it doesn't get better than that :)
  

Lowlights:

• the ending - didn't Jackman do this exact same scene in "Van Helsing"?
  
  • tangential - it's amazing how psychic-fu can shred skin, but not pants - perhaps pants are adamantium lined? :P
  
  
• the ending - nooo, I don't want 'em all tamed! Hopefully the foreboding in the very last will pay off in the sequel.
  
• Few of the actors got to really act all that much - it was largely an action vehicle with little meaningful dialog. To be fair, that's about what I expected, but there are some talented actors here - it would have been nice to get a little more verbage from the students (Rogue/Iceman/Kitty Pryde).
  
  • or not - it suffered a bit from "Cast of Thousands syndrome" where many characters were on screen long enough to make you curious but not long enough to really add anything to the story.
    
  
  
  It's fun. You won't die if you miss it, but it's a wonderful rollercoaster ride if you choose not to :)

Comments

[skill-grl.livejournal.com]

1. Did you stay for the scene after the credits?

2. The group I was with very much agreed w/ you on Wolverine's pants.

Great movie! We followed it w/ dinner and then a 2.5 hour walk to the Mall and around the Tidal Basin.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

1) No :( But quasigeostrophy filled me in over in his LJ. Sequels ahoy!

2) [snerk]

It sounds like y'all had a great time :) Yes, I know, I need to make more of an effort to go to LambdaSF shindigs - I am a boob :P

[skill-grl.livejournal.com]

Re: LambdaSF events

Go over to lambdasf.org for the current calendar of events (fun stuff for pride), and get yourself signed up on the mailing list (membership not required) to learn about smaller events (such as movie outings). We'd love to have you both.

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

I agree with much of what you said, good and bad, and it was a lot of fun. I think those that were tamed either were adamant about not coming back or something will happen to repower them. This sort of thing happens on and off in the comics, IIRC.

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

D. is my "comics consultant" and from him I'm aware of "retconning" (new writers rebooting canon as they see fit - is that right?)

I just can't see Rogue staying away for too long, she's such a clever kid. Besides, she could always smooch on Wolverine once she's of age - it might hurt him, but won't kill him :P

[quasigeostrophy.livejournal.com]

Heh, yeah, if Jean as Dark Phoenix trying to demolecularize him doesn't kill him (and I like your point about his seemingly immune pants), Rogue certainly wouldn't. ;-)

[thalionar.livejournal.com]

I did the Kermit flappy hands thing through pretty much the entire movie... at least the parts where I wasn't sobbing (which included every time Warren or Kitty Pride were on the screen, when Mystique lost her powers, most of the scenes with Leech, when Xavier was torn to shreds, when Magneto lost *his* powers, when Magneto got his powers *back,* and the final scene at the very end.

Yeah. so *SQUEE* and *SOB*

and really, I <3 Kelsey Grammar as Hank McCoy, but I'm a fangirl, and probably would have loved *anyone* as Hank McCoy, as long as he got decent screen time.

[zen4me.livejournal.com]

Ok, I finally can comment on this as I saw the movie yesterday - :( I couldnt stay to see the final after credits scene tho...damn you doctors appointment!!

tangential - it's amazing how psychic-fu can shred skin, but not pants - perhaps pants are adamantium lined?

ROFL!! This is cracking me up

The ending sort of reminded me of when he saves Rogue from Magneto's machine in movie one - minus the claws in the gut tho of course. Ugh, I was hoping Rogue wouldn't take the "cure" :|

Storm getting her ass kicked was kinda fun to watch and seeing Bobby go full-on Iceman was neat. I'm still mad at Magneto for destroying my favorite bridge but was so teared up when Prof. X died.

Small rant - I'm not sure I'm liking the completely cuddly-ish Wolverine at the end. Too tame makes him kinda lame. Gruff and abrupt is a must!

[anotheranon.livejournal.com]

I too didn't want to see Rogue tamed - I just know she'll be back, because it would be entirely too disappointing if she wasn't!

Look for spoilers for the post-credits scene - or just ask around, as I'm sure it's old news now.

Re: defanged Wolverine - I agree, but mostly he just seemed resigned. He'll be back too, I'm sure...