X-Men 3

Written 15 June 2006

Warning: This film review reveals some of the plot of the movie.

Well, I just saw X-Men 3. I should warn you, I didn't like this movie. I didn't like it at all.

I wanted to like this movie. I love the Wolverine character. When I was growing up, he was by far my favorite super hero. He's good in this movie, and he is pretty much the only worthwhile thing in this movie. I like Login. Most superheroes, like Spiderman and superman, spend so much time whimpering and talking and doing stupid things. Wolverine just takes control and does what needs to be done.

I'll try not to give away too much of the plot. Well, plot is kind of stretching things a bit. This movie really has half a dozen different things going on, and it really doesn't come together well at all.

Jean Grey is known in the comic as The Phoenix, because she's reborn from death. In the comic, she's almost a goddess and has a certain nobility. In this movie, the way she is portrayed is insulting, degrading and more-or-less worthless to the plot.

On top of that, you've got Xavier playing with her mind (when she's younger), "walling off" the "bad" from the good and creating a "tame" Jean. I found this very upsetting - who does Xavier think he is? God? Instead of walling off the bad part of the child Jean, why doesn't he take the time to teach her good from evil? Why not mentor her instead of burying her personality? When I saw what Xavier did to this woman, I wondered - who is really the bad guy in this film?

After finding out what Xavier did to Jean (Phoenix), I was not at all upset when he was killed. I thought it was somehow fitting.

The Nightcrawler mutant, a very cool character from the previous films, is totally missing.

Cyclops is sullen and irrational, and, sorry to give this away, gets killed for no apparent reason right at the start of the movie. The death was unnecessary and exceptionally poorly presented.

Angel, the winged mutant, is barely used. He almost has a bit part. This character has so much potential, yet it's wasted.

Dozens, if not hundreds, of other mutants with different powers are simply thrown into the mix without any real introduction. Some die, some don't, and I found myself not caring.

Rogue should have just been left out of the movie. She accepts the "cure" for stupid reasons, something the comic book character would rather have died than do.

The story is rushed, breathless, and there are no explanations for anything.

The final scenes, with the bridge being ripped from the ground, are just idiotic. Sure, it's a great special effect, but it's just dumb.

Okay, okay, I'll shut up now. I just didn't like this movie.

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