So I just watched X3 on DVD

The main menu also includes an option to play the sneak preview of the Simpsons movie. (why isn't this in one of the 'extras' menus instead of the actual MAIN menu?!)

The plot is definitely the most action-oriented; the actual storyline being the most basic of the three - though it centers on a 'cure' for the mutant condition. It's quite obviously the most blatant gay allegory to date.

Thought it's interesting we have a 'cure' for one thing, which is presented as a form of control, whereas Xavier puts controls of his own unto Jean to prevent Phoenix from coming out. What's the moral difference between the two? Is there one? (the issue made poignant when Magneto tells Xavier "You sound just like her parents" when Xavier says "Jean's sick".) Just what is trying to be said?

Rogue makes a strong case for her point of view on a personal level, but the movie is so unsure and unaware of itself that there is virtually no argument, never mind moralplay or depth. Indeed, Wolverine - who starts out in this movie with the usual "I'm not a team player" attitude seems to have morphed into some Mr Rogers-wannabe, just for her. She's pretty much absent for the rest of it too; as if the conscious aspect wasn't important compared to all the wham-bam actions scenes.

And, of course, amongst all the other cliches is the biggest one of all - it wasn't addressed in the first one, but it involves somebody who has an 'afflicted' child...

Though why Kelsey Grammar's character is accepted by the people who want to force the cure on all the mutants seems a bit weird. (though why the mutants refer to themselves AS mutants is also odd, especially when referring to regular people as 'humans'. No other name than 'mutant' would fit?)

And Mystique really makes one hell of a change! :9 :( but :9.

The acting is pretty decent all around. Though John Rhys-Davies may have been a better pick than Kelsey Grammer. But with the amount of characters, there is no time to really get to know them, their backgrounds, motivations, et al. It lacks depth. Indeed, especially with Mystique's fate, it could have been so much more. (but I must have missed something, Grammer's blue character gets partly 'cured' but later his hand reverts to being true blue...)

Oh, with all the updates made over the years, they couldn't have given Juggernaut a better helmet?

And if you ask me, the 'cure' main plot is shadowed by this inconsequential Poltergeist-Phoenix mess of a subplot; she seems to be the cause of a lot more of the cause for the story's action than anything else -- understandable if a lot of moral arguments are to be subverted... (indeed, I thought 'Star Trek Nemesis' was shallow unpalatable garbage, X3 comes close to tying despite having a bit more entertainment value...) Indeed, it's amazing what happens to Wolverine at the end, it's like Phoenix, while stripping him, ensures his midsection remains fully clothed. :eyes:

But at least the special effects look good. And in the end, that's what counts - right? :sarcasm:

But I wish Bryan Singer had directed it. Maintaining his style for the final feature would have given a nice consistency, and badly needed depth. Why he want to direct a movie that didn't need to be made (and wasn't well received either), I have no idea. But X3, as it stands, isn't by any means a failure. It just lacks the depth the first two had. X3 contains a surfeit of forced emotional drivel intermixed with numerous action scenes, with little logic intertwining all of it; unsure if it wants to attract children, adults, both, some other group of people, we're not quite sure. It's a mess. But one with enough set pieces to make it worth watching, if only once.


Also note: The most obvious on-screen corporate placements were provided by Dell and FOX. I wonder what side they're on. :spray:


So, spinning the allegory into real life, if the cure existed - would you take it? (I would take it. Much like watching a convoluted movie, I hate having convoluted emotions.)

And as for the thing with Beast...the kid is able to suppress mutation around him, but just being near him (like Beast was) doesn't have a permanent semi-permanent effect. You have to get the actual shot for that.

And your poll needs a "Depends on whether your personal mutation is beneficial or harmful," option.

"Here's Juggy!"

they show a bit more of the fight between wolverine/juggernaut at the house, it was pretty good...:) I got the plain jane addition, I didn't feel like paying 25 bucks for the super duper set...

I think he would have taken the Dark Phoenix storyline in a different direction that what happened here.
No doubt the fate of Jean would still be the same in the end, but seriously, Famke Janssen had, what, 3 lines? Five lines max?
Pity, 'cause I really got used to her as Jean Grey.

Singer would have been able to keep the plot tighter and more focused, while introducing a few new characters. Ratner went overboard,
in my opinion, and the writing of several of the X-Men seemed off. Since when did Storm kill people that angrily with her powers? (Maybe that's the fault of casting Halle Berry as Storm. Should have gone with someone else.

Ratner tried to do two movie plots in one, plus a ton of side-story elements, like Rogue, Iceman, and Shadowcat. Pity.

And no, I wouldn't take the cure, unless my mutation involved my flesh melting off my face and moving around on its own. That'd be just gross.

to a tee...but, I would add the out of character element, when Magneto left Mystique laying on the trailer floor...I think Singer would have made a great X-3.

isn't that the "the rock" vehicle from a few years back?

And unlike the first two, this one is a bit off in the logic department. The action isn't bad by any measure, but the quality of the plot is just not there; nor are we allowed the time to properly get more details regarding the characters, which is something we'd be expecting in an X-Men movie. It's all 2D stuff.

up. I didn't really develop the characters. The plot line was thin at best.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=105&topic_id=5715258&mesg_id=5715258 :)