"Third times a charm"
First the bad news: Bryan Singer director of the first two x movies and Holy savior to comic fans everywhere is out.
The Good News: Aside from Singer nearly the entire cast returns to complete the trilogy.
The Not so bad news: Ratner, while trying to fill in the big shoes set by Singer loses his step in a few spots, but also takes characters into bold new directions that fans can't help but give him props.
The story begins as we meet a younger version of Xavier but still just as bald (did this guy ever have hair?) and Magneto still friends as they meet Jean Grey as a child and learn first hand what her powers are capable of. later we meet the butt of the x men lineup with a young Warren Worthington who's power is to fly with wings and whine like a baby when confronted. Later still we meet with a fresh batch of young X men recruits including Iceman and Rogue, Colossus (about time) and Shadow "Juno" cat as they Train in the "danger room" Under the supervision of mainstays Storm and Wolverine. This scene alone has more comic fan shout outs than an entire season of the venture bros.
It is here where Ratner shows us our first glimpse of the vast imagination of these characters and there environments. For anyone who had doubts of Ratner not being able to hit the cords of beautiful music of love song to comic fans by Singer, Two words: Fastball Special. While these words may mean less then an apology from Michael Richards comic x men fans know it like scripture.
Its this and the introduction of long time enemy Sentinels that make fan boy hearts cheer, although the actual reveal of the sentinel is more of a smoke and mirrors effect, guess most of the budget went into hair gel for Berry and Jackman.
The story continues to unfold as we learn that a supposed "cure" has been developed from a young mutant boy (fans know as leech) and draws conflicting opinions from the mutant population including the x-men and Brotherhood.
Among all the chaos of the cure new faces emerge in the form of original x man Beast played by talented thespian Kelsey Grammer, Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut of Guy Ritchie fame as well as return from the watery grave Jean Grey Reborn as the bipolar Phoenix.
Its Jean's return that is the first strike for Ratner who so far has a good run as her return is at the cost of two x men mainstays.
Granted this was a bold move by the director but it just doesn't pay off much to fan boy dismay but in my opinion is somewhat as acceptable as a long time Fan I know better than anyone that comic superhero's "die" only to return more than Bob Barker.
The rest of the movie follows what's left of the x-men as they struggle to keep there family and friends together and make one last stand against Magnetos army of extremists.
Bottom line this movie isn't as bad as you may have heard, while a bit more "Summer popcorn flick" then its predecessors the movie is still well paced and is not as drab as the first two, Character growth is a mixed bag here as bobby and Kitty's relationship doesn't go anywhere and leaves fans questioning the relevance of there scenes together but also leads to the movie causing one of the blatantly off the character misses since casting Ben Affleck as Daredevil. (Strike two Ratner)
Wolverine however once again takes center stage as the heart of the team, as we see Jackman make the character evolve from loner badass to undeniable leader. Hale Berry's Storm character shines thru the dark clouds of the first movies to show fans that she's more than a hot chick who shoots lightning and says bad jokes. As she has a couple of badass fight scenes that rival her feral partner Wolverine.
Special features abound in this edition, as we get commentary by Ratner and company proving how much of a douche he is and by producers Avi Arad and Lauren Donner who have been mainstays thru the whole movie series. Also deleted and alternate Endings with commentary (should a left that extended fight scene in between Wolverine and jugs Ratner! Strike three your out bub!)And collector edition owners get a comic written by the once great but senile Stan the man Lee. While there is great art from some of the industries top talent Lee was at the top of his game thirty years ago, (striperella anyone?)
For those of you who have read and took my advice on the last two entries should not pass this up, while lacking in story telling and realism. It's still a fun watch for those looking for a good fluff comic movie with awesome action scenes and clever dialogue x marks the spot, third times a charm bub. Nuff said.
The Good: for ONCE we don't see Wolvie get his butt kicked by a chick although Jean really does a number on him but this movie by far shows the sheer awesomeness of Wolverines healing Factor that surpasses anything shown outside the comic mainstream.
The Bad: Two x men mainstays "die" one of which happens off camera! Summers was a snot nosed punk but he deserved better then that! Oops spoiler!
The Ugly: Juggernaut actually says "im the juggernaut B****!" a line strait from internet obsurdity. what's next Beast telling Xavier "were going to candy mountain Charlie!"
DVD Release Dates
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Yea I'm still tryna get the BEST edition of this DVD in the world that exists - the 2-Disc Tin case. With the SECOND DISC WITH ALL THE SPECIAL FEATURES! Good luck tryna find that in the States! Have your Collector's Edition that's just the barebones with an extra mini-comic written by a senile Lee, its still not worth the $40.00. After I get the Exclusive Edition, I will have the entire X-Men DVD Trilogy in Steelbooks! Who else has that?!