Review: X-Men: The Last Stand

On Sat 6/10 I went to see X-Men 3. I've been anxiously awaiting this movie as I'm a big X-Men fan, especially of Wolverine, whom in part my son is named after. Since this was only the second weekend since the movie's premiere, I decided to get to the theatre early. I'm very picky about where I sit in a theatre, as I've mentioned before. I arrived at the theatre 30 mins early and to my surprise I'm the only one in the auditorium. So I take time to find the perfect seat. Moments later two 16 year old female theatre employees enter the auditorium, one with a neck strap concession tray (much like the old era cigarette girls). They asked if I wanted to buy any candy, popcorn, etc. I already had a pop (soda for you non-PNW folk), so I politely declined. I'm assuming this is a new sales method for the theatre chain. I'm mixed on how I feel about it. On one side it's a great service much like the vendors at a sports event, alternatively it's also one more chance for them to get you to buy their over priced consumables. Either way the girls were required to hang out in the auditorium until the film started. Standing around got pretty boring for them so they got pretty chatty with me, and then decided to entertain me with some cart wheels, flips, and slow split maneuvers. It was a hell of a lot more entertaining then the 20-spot that Regal was showing. I showed my appreciation by staring and clapping, like a retard watching a kitten. Eventually a few more folks showed up, in all about 15 arrived before the trailers started. An amazingly small number for a hit movie, at the main theatre in town, and on a Saturday afternoon. That suited me just fine. I watched the movie excitedly and felt pretty satisfied afterwards. My thoughts are below after the spoiler notice. One funny thing worth mentioning. I had previously read that there was an extra plot point scene played after the conclusion of the credits. As soon as the credits started rolling everyone left the auditorium. I sat patiently for the credits to roll. Soon the theatre cleaning crew came in, anxious to get the cleaning job done so they could go back to standing around doing nothing. Of course they couldn't start until the auditorium was completely empty. The whole time the cleaning crew was standing at the entrance with garbage can, mop, and brooms at the ready. I kept glancing over at them and they just looked more and more impatient. Like "Why the heck is this guy watching the credits, who the hell watches credits". I felt like I could feel their beady little eyes glaring at me through the dark. I started to get impatient, had it not been for Heath and Trieste confirming the extra scene's existence, I likely would have left early. After what felt like an eternity the credits finished and the extra scene played. I got up to leave and a sigh of relief was felt from the cleaning crew. One guy seemed to acknowledge my need to wait, and said "Thanks! Have a good day" in a sincere voice. "Thanks, I will!" I replied.

*** SPOILER WARNING ***

Pros:

• Kelsey Grammer did an excellent job of portraying Beast. I was very skeptical of how he would do in this role after I initially heard the news. I knew his sophisticated well spokeness would be a good match for Beast, but I didn't know how well he would be able to pull off the makeup and action scenes. I especially liked that they were able to show Beasts self-pity for his appearance. Shown best in the scene where Leech is able to repress his mutant appearance and show is true hand, after which Beast thanks him.
• They didn't bring back Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler. I don't know what it is about that guy, but he creeps me out. Plus Nightcrawler was never one of my favorites.
• I like the emotion they showed of the young Warren Worthington embarrassed of his freakiness, as he attempts to cut off his wings. Really shows the hardship that being a mutant causes some, especially at a young age and not understanding it.
• Even though I didn't like that they took Rogues powers away in this film (she did it voluntarily) it does bring a little closure to the struggle Rogue (in the comic book) has always had with not being able to touch another human.
• The special effects were excellent. Seeing Magneto re-route the golden gate bridge to Alcatraz was awesome, and a good show of his powers.

Cons:

• I think they took too much liberty in killing characters. Killing Cyclops, Prof X (sort of comes back), Phoenix, and taking away powers from Mystique, Magneto (sort of regains them), and Rogue. I understand that the film has tried to incorporate as many X-Men characters/villains as possible, and that it requires that they create exits for some characters so that others can shine. I just think they did a bad job of it, and took too many liberties in changing the characters storylines.
• I don’t think there was enough action. There was only about 3 or 4 action scenes, including the final large battle.
• I'm getting tired of seeing Warren Worthington Sr. portrayed as the main mutant hating bad guy. They should have killed him off in this movie, that would have fit in a bit better with the comic book background. But having Archangel save him makes a point that he loves his father even if his father hates his mutantness.
• Mutant Classification. In the comic books the mutant power classification was only ever used by the government hunting mutants, and Apocalypse. And then they used a different classification scale (Alpha, Beta, Epsilon-Delta, Omega, … ) In the movie the mutants are all using a new classification (Class 1, 2, 3, 4, … ) And they all seem to understand the different classifications like they all learned it at Mutant High, sort of makes it sound like they are all D&D characters. Did Prof. X make next level with all the XP he gained from battling Phoenix and transporting his consciousness to a new body?

Hopes for the Future:

• They will develop Beasts character further and show the love connection between him and Storm. However it might be hard to get Halle Berry to reprise her role now that she is a big Oscar winning star. Although one of her stipulations on returning for X3 was a promise of character development. So who knows?
• I would like to see a two part sequel that deals with the comic book story of Apocalypse.
• I'd like to see Archangel developed more, seems like his appearance in this sequel is a for shadowing for that.