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Review #172 of 365
Film: X-Men: The Last Stand [PG-13] 107 minutes
WIP™ Scale: (1st viewing $10 + 3rd viewing $13.00)/2 = $11.50*
Where Viewed: United Artists Denver Pavillions Stadium 15
When 2nd Seen: 3 July 2006
Time: 10:00 p.m.
Review Dedicated to: Zachary F. of Chicago, IL—thanks for keeping me honest
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DVD | soundtrack |
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Warning: There are plot spoilers in this review. To avoid plot spoilers please only read the first review.
I now believe I was too hard on X-Men 3 in my first review. However, I believe that is because it takes three (yes 3) times seeing it before one can truly appreciate it. Why three? And why was there no second review? There was no second review because I saw it a second time just after the first to be sure there wasn't something huge I missed before I gave it a pretty mediocre review. I came out of the second viewing liking it even less than the first and decided to leave well enough alone. Well as summer Hollywood movie rationing (see my side bar rant on this topic) is in full swing just now, I am finding myself having to see movies more than once with growing regularity. Therefore, last evening, I saw X-Men: The Last Stand for the third time. This third time though something happened, and I actually loved the movie. I've never had that happen to me before. Of course, generally, I feel we tend not to see movies again and again that we did not enjoy the first time. Maybe this time, I went in with very low expectations, and that freed me to appreciate what is really there. It was a nearly surreal experience. It all started with the very-early-on death of Cyclops (James Marsden) at the hands (mind?) of Jean Gray (Famke Janssen).
Cyclops and Angel were always my two favorite X-men. So, when Cyclops was killed so early on, I was crushed and angry. This time around, I was over that. I knew it was happening, and it allowed me to move out of my own realm and into the concept of what Jean Gray was going through.
In fact, I lambasted director Brett Ratner for even including this whole "Jean Gray is back as the uncontrollable alter-ego The Phoenix" in this film; however, this time, I was able to really focus on that story line for all it was It is a tremendous story, so tragic and so horrifying. She kills her first love and the one who gave her the ability to live a normal life. Her rage is so intense and violent as the maelstrom of her power swirls in the climatic conclusion that results in her second love, Wolverine, having to do the unthinkable to finally set her free.
And thus it also was for Angel (Ben Foster). I was so furious that they had even bothered to include Angel in this film for as little screen time as he get. The mutant baddy Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) gets more screen time than Angel.
This third time around, however, I was able to focus on the brilliance of the Angel storyline—while brief, too brief, to be sure, the tragedy and simplicity of his story in the film is so tragic yet beautiful and moving. Perhaps there will be more of him in the movie prior to editing that will show up on the DVD. The juxtaposition of the shame endured by young Warren (Cayden Boyd) whom we see before even the opening credits trying to cut off his wings with a knife so as not to embarrass his father, Warren Worthington II (Michael Murphy) with the majesty of the scene where the older Warren Worthington III, in defiance of his father who just created the mutant x-gene antibody to cure all mutants of their 'powers' or 'curses' as the case may be, breaks free of the restraints just before he is to be injected and 'cured' of his wings, reveals his wings in their full glory, and charges straight through the plate glass office tower window to soar high above the media corps waiting below.
In that one brilliant scene we have a metaphor for the feeling of justice and freedom that all repressed people would experience if they could just be left to be who they truly are.
This time around I was able to really focus on the more controversial aspects such as when Mari/Rogue (Anna Paquin) decides to get the vaccine and rid herself of her powers but allow her to touch her boyfriend for the first time.
This time around I was able to really focus on the more controversial aspects such as when Mari/Rogue (Anna Paquin) decides to get the vaccine and rid herself of her powers but allow her to touch her boyfriend for the first time.
This torturous decision would be the same for any repressed group of people who could be suddenly given an antidote that would allow them to 'pass in' or 'access' the world of those in power. Would parents of gay children have their children vaccinated if they could?
Likewise, Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) cannot comprehend what Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart) has done to Jean Gray's mind, and he makes a fatal error in judgment that ultimately releases her rage on the world and results in her killing her long-time mentor. Ultimately, therefore presenting Logan with a series of difficult choices to make. Then there's Kelsey Grammer's character, Dr. Hank McCoy/Beast.
The first two times I saw the film, I thought he was ridiculous. I couldn't figure out why he was in the film, what was the point? This time, I realized he was there to represent all of those people who work to protect the rights of those who are repressed through peaceful and positive means only to have their own work turned against them, and eventually must decide which side they are on (their own kind or the repressors') when it occurs to them the government is merely using them. That was a watershed realization for me. And then, finally, there's the use of the mutant boy, Jimmy (Cameron Bright), whose mutant power is that he can return any mutant cell back to 'normal' and how the Worthington Pharmaceutical Company uses him to create the mutant-x vaccine. What kind of mental and moral lapses in human rights and dignity makes Mr. Worthington think that taking the boy and using him as a lab rat is defensible?
Finally, this third time, I was able to be awed by the special effects in this film which are truly a stunning achievement. They are so realistic that you don't even notice they are special effects.
Finally, this third time, I was able to be awed by the special effects in this film which are truly a stunning achievement. They are so realistic that you don't even notice they are special effects.
From an inversion of gravity that becomes Jean Gray's dark side signature, to Mystique's conversion to non-mutant humanhood, to the crushing of cars mid-air by Magneto (Ian McKellen), to the fire and ice duel between Iceman and Pyro (Aaron Stanford),
to the futuristic Danger Room scene where the young X-men-in-training get a lesson in developing a good defense via having a good offense under the guidance of Storm (Halle Berry) and Wolverine, to the final climatic battle of Magneto's brotherhood versus the X-Men, these were incredible effects and a stunning cinematic achievement.
Therefore, my advice to those who didn't like X-Men: The Last Stand, see it two more times. Oh, and stay until after the credits. There is a final scene that is worth the wait.
Therefore, my advice to those who didn't like X-Men: The Last Stand, see it two more times. Oh, and stay until after the credits. There is a final scene that is worth the wait.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
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X-Men: The Last Stand [DVD](2006) DVD
X-Men: The Last Stand (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2006) DVD
X-Men: The Last Stand (Collector's Edition) [DVD](2006) DVD
X-Men: The Last Stand (UMD For PlayStation Portable)(2006)
X-Men: The Last Stand (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2006) DVD
X-Men: The Last Stand (Collector's Edition) [DVD](2006) DVD
X-Men: The Last Stand (UMD For PlayStation Portable)(2006)
X-Men [VHS](2000) VHS
X2: X-Men United [VHS](2003) VHS
Superheroes Collection [VHS] VHS
Superheroes Collection [VHS] VHS
X-Men: The Legend Of Wolverine [VHS] VHS
X-Men: Evolution: Xplosive Days [VHS] VHS
X-Men [DVD](2000) DVD
X-Men: 1.5: Two-Disc Collector's Edition [DVD](2000) DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Mutants Rising [DVD] DVD
X-Men: The Legend Of Wolverine [DVD] DVD
X2: X-Men United (Special Edition) [DVD](2003) DVD
X2: X-Men United (Special Edition--Widescreen) [DVD](2003) DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Unxpected Changes [DVD] DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Xplosive Days [DVD] DVD
X-Men: Evolution: X Marks The Spot [DVD] DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Xposing The Truth [DVD] DVD
X2: X-Men United [DVD](2003) DVD
X2: X-Men United (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2003) DVD
X-Men: Evolution: The Complete Third Season [DVD](2002) DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Powers Revealed [DVD] DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Enemies Unveiled [DVD] DVD
X-Men: Evolution Collection [DVD] DVD
X-Men: Evolution: Mystique's Revenge [DVD] DVD
X-Men Trilogy [DVD] DVD
X-Men (UMD For PlayStation Portable)(2000)
X2: X-Men United (UMD For PlayStation Portable)(2003)
Movies Starring: Patrick Stewart • Ian McKellen • Halle Berry
Hugh Jackman • Anna Paquin • James Marsden
Shawn Ashmore • Vinnie Jones • Rebecca Romijn
Ben Foster
Movies Directed by: Brett Ratner
All Things X-Men
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| XBOX | PS2 | Related DVD |
Review-lite [150-word cap]
Apparently, it takes three times to convert even the most strident and ardent critic of this X-Men: The Last Stand around. My first and second times seeing it left me cold and frustrated with Brett Ratner's reign as the new director of the franchise. The third time, however, I finally saw the film for what it truly is, a mesmerizing display of brilliant effects and vignettes that prove invaluable life lessons. I still feel there was too much going on in the film, but it is a far better film than my first review made it out to be. Give this one a third chance, and it may surprise you.
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