Gripes: X-Men: The Last Stand

[hiphopcr]

A "cure" for mutancy threatens to alter the course of history. For the first time, mutants have a choice: retain their uniqueness, though it isolates and alienates them, or give up their powers and become human. The opposing viewpoints of mutant leaders Charles Xavier, who preaches tolerance, and Magneto, who believes in the survival of the fittest, are put to the ultimate test--triggering the war...

Genres: Action/Adventure, Science Fiction/Fantasy and Sequel

Running Time: 1 hr. 43 min.

Release Date: May 26th, 2006 (wide)

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.

Distributors: 20th Century Fox

Official Website: http://www.x-menthelaststand.com/







Critique:

X3 is fast-paced, the action is fine and makes for a great summer blockbuster. Seriously, there's hardly a chance to catch your breath in between scenes, it just keeps moving.

I also left the threatre infuriated because, in only 104 minutes, this movie took the story places that killed the franchise.

Without spoiling the film:

Wolverine, once the tormented soul of the franchise struggling to discover his past, the film does not even touch upon that aspect. He is relegated to forced pep-talks and kicking-butt (which is cool, but what about his origin that used to be so important?).

Storm has the lion's share of the dialogue, yet, we learn nothing new about her. At all. It's just filler. As for Beast, his few lines still don't reveal the man beneath the makeup. You don't learn very much about him at all, there's no connection with this very likable character.

Angel, who was featured prominently in the trailers, has about 2 lines and 2 shots of him flying around. His story is so intriguing with the pressure and disapproval of his father, yet, we know nothing about him. Juggernaut, Mystique, Cyclops, Professor X, Iceman, Colussus, Kitty, and the others only have bit roles.

See a pattern?

There's nothing by way of character development. A dozen new (and uninteresting) mutants appear but none of them are developed, they're either well-behaved students or angry goth kids.

The issue of the mutant cure in under developed, mutants struggling with the decision to take the cure is under developed, even the Phoenix story is under developed. The director tries to touch on all these, and he succeeds in just touching.

And without spoiling, the story goes in places that destroys the franchise. It sucked the fun right out.

Why try to cram a handful of potentially scintillating subjects and dozens of new mutants into a 104 minute film and end everything? The ending didn't resolve anything, the entire film felt hollow.

Yes, it's entertaining, but for fans who love X-Men and want to see this franchise strong for 1000 years to come the fun is over. I don't even care if they make another X-Men film, the fun is over for me.

[Pnagle]

I agree with everything you said about the film, no story, no character development, just plain hollow.

I was very disapointed but didn't expect much because Byan Singer wasn't doing it and Brett Ratner others films were not very strong in my opnion...but that is just me (let the flaking begin)

Pat

[VFXTalkDotCom]

Hmm sad to hear if they really messed it up - i was a big fan of XMen 1 and 2 and was looking forward to the release of 3 big time...

so i gotta wait for the DVD...

any to be honest i dont really care much for the storylines anyway - what were the special effects like? what stood out? what rocked? what sucked?

-jah

[stevenbray1]

You know what? I liked it. I prefer the first film over the second and, yes, BOTH of them over this one but it was fun and had the mutant vs mutant battle which I've been waiting for.

But never mind all that, this is VFXtalk so as Jah says.... what did everyone think of the VFX?

I liked those too, from the subtle "Dark Phoenix" look to the Golden Gate Bridge sequence I thought they all delivered. There WERE some dodgy shots where the lighting didn't quite match from FG to comped BG but only a few.

Oh and the de-aging of Prof.X and Magneto? Pretty interesting and 95% of those shots worked too. That's a process I'd like to hear more about.

[VFXTalkDotCom]

hey it may have sucked but it killed the box office

http://today.reuters.com/news/newsAr...XOFFICE-DC.XML

still would like to get a break down on the effects!!!

[Tahllulah]

I have to say guys... I loved this movie. Sure, I was shocked and saddened by some of the scenes, (you are supposed to be,) but it doesn't take away from the fact that I was on the edge of my seat the whole time.

The fact that they don't go in to detail with the characters is just trying to get across the vast amounts of mutants there are supposed to be and that they are all equally talented.

As for the VFX, surely you cant deny the golden gate bridge scene, Angels flight, the war at the end, the ice/fire scenes, the phoenix scenes... come on!

I don't think that they can make another one, but hey, quit while your ahead...and you can't deny, they are ahead.

I personally would love it if you guys could get an interview with the guys behind the VFX...Please.

Lullah
xx

[Dryrainstudios]

I quite liked the movie but would have loved to have seen more development of the charactures, but thats not why we're here. The FX!

On the whole, I have to agree with Jah. There are some great FX shots and some of the bridge are ok, but some look like the "auld magic carpet ride" style of blue screen. There were too many ragdoll agents too.

The shot where Magneto swats the cars aside before releasing Mystique looked bad. Very bad. And Ice man looked a little roapy too.

Did anyone else spot the quick change from day to night just before the final battle started?

And finally as I finish this rant, did anyone else see a bee/wasp fly round Wolverines left arm and then in to his armpit whilst he was standing infront of the graves? I'm sure I saw it and I hadn't been smoking or drinking anything, well ok a few glasses of grape juice. I havn't had a chance to see it again to back up my accusations.

I know I sound like Mr Angry from Bogna, and this is my first post here, but I did like the movie. I just wish that I took "the blue pill" so I can enjoy a movie once in a while.

[CGnews]

hey, this was such a great thread that we figured we would give you guys a chance to catch up on some of the effects and ask some questions...

we landed a interview with framestore on xmen 3 for next week... some head over and get your questions in!

http://www.vfxtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?p=25326

-cgnews

[metalrahul]

So in future there gonna be x 4 or not? and I think all the effects shots look promising but they was'nt any any exceptional effects to pointg out. Almost all the effects seen in this movie was there in previous parts itself. Anyway I feel like all the effects in the movie goes good with script. So fx people have done a good job!

[dancingqueen]

while i appreciated the effects, i was soooooooooo hoping that the characters would be developed even more in "stand".