There are times we should indeed quit while we're ahead, and then there are times you have to stick like glue.
Just saw X-men 3 movie and... Wrapping up was well-done, but overall, it could've been better.
Let's take a look at the flaws:
-Bryan Singer quit. What's more, he quit so he could do the highly doubtful Superman movie. He's either really adventurous or really idiotic. Who would quit on a baby they worked on from the start?
Well, if he was looking for a challenge, he got it.
- The "Twenty years ago" and "Ten years ago" put in too much drag. Just one or the other would've surficed.
- A lot of major characters were killed off too early. Seeing powerful powers in action was part of the thrill, and these major characters are called "major" because they formed the pillars of the franchise. And before any character-insight can take place, POOF!! ... No more character. Even Mystique, our favourite villian in the movie franchise so far, is vastly deprived of movie time. Cyclops doesn't even make appearance, even though Scott does. Pathetically.
If you're going to kill them off, early or otherwise, at least do it properly.
- The lousy introduction to Phoenix. I don't remember Jean having counselling sessions in the previous instalments. There was absolutely no allusiont to Phoenix having existed before this movie.
-New characters, old characters, underdevelopment. Poor Kitty was just there to be the imaginary third party. And Rogue has been reduced to a jealous teen.
Much of Rogue's character built via the last two instalments has just been sheared drastically. The movie took for granted that the audience knew Rogue was a tragic figure, and did away with every oppurtunity to explore her emotions: her sadness of not being able to touch loved ones, her frustration at being unable to give comfort, the horror of Death's touch. Where was all that? Couldn't anything else have been explored, like how she would not be able to fight alongside the X-men if not for the very Death's touch that brings detriment?
As previously mentioned, Mystique is deprived of movie time. I don't see why that has to be. I don't think Mystique's fighting skills are directly connected to her mutation, though it does help. So why deprive her of screen time?
Poor Winged Walter. That character had much potential, he even had a past shown to the audience. A really good one, too. And in the entire movie, he was relevant figure ethically, symbollically, psychologically, emotionally... and totally irrelevant in the plot. All he did was save his father, who really didn't need to be saved.
Like, what the heck? Why would you waste a flying character like that? Surely a person with wings would be a great asset in The Last Stand. Why put him there if you're not going to use him??
And the Boy-in-need-of-rescuing, the key to the Cure, was practically ignored.
And here are the movie's saving graces:
-Short, subtle (and also short-lived) but thought-tugging references to the relationship between Charles Xavier and Eric. Magneto is self-conceited as he is powerful, but despite his arrogance, there has been one, and only one person for whom he has had genuine recognition and respect, both as an enemy and as a friend.
- That "Ten years ago" for Winged Walter. That was really painful to watch, and it just reveals the desperation that drives some to the extreme, because society said they were guilty of nature's crime, because a child will do anything to keep his father's love.
- Young Jean Grey lifting all the cars in the neighbourhood. (I know I said one or the other would've been enough, and I meant it. But the way in which both were done contributed to saving the film)
-The Beast. One of the few new characters given adaequete screen devotion. He is as cute a character here as in the comics/cartoons.
- Iceman's blizzard shooting out from his arm. Very well done.
-The unbelievable extent of Phoenix's powers.
-Lifting of the bridge. Whoa.
- The wicked ending with Magneto... If you can call it an "ending". Similar to the 2nd instalment, where Xavier looks outside the window for "no particular reason", only this time, it feels more evil.
Must also give credit to the bus stop advertisments. The Phoenix one wasn't really thought out, but the Winged guy one (Alienated X Liberated) and the Storm one (Cursed X Gifted) struck really well. Especially the former.
Currently being seduced by manga.
Let's take a look at the flaws:
-Bryan Singer quit. What's more, he quit so he could do the highly doubtful Superman movie. He's either really adventurous or really idiotic. Who would quit on a baby they worked on from the start?
Well, if he was looking for a challenge, he got it.
- The "Twenty years ago" and "Ten years ago" put in too much drag. Just one or the other would've surficed.
- A lot of major characters were killed off too early. Seeing powerful powers in action was part of the thrill, and these major characters are called "major" because they formed the pillars of the franchise. And before any character-insight can take place, POOF!! ... No more character. Even Mystique, our favourite villian in the movie franchise so far, is vastly deprived of movie time. Cyclops doesn't even make appearance, even though Scott does. Pathetically.
If you're going to kill them off, early or otherwise, at least do it properly.
- The lousy introduction to Phoenix. I don't remember Jean having counselling sessions in the previous instalments. There was absolutely no allusiont to Phoenix having existed before this movie.
-New characters, old characters, underdevelopment. Poor Kitty was just there to be the imaginary third party. And Rogue has been reduced to a jealous teen.
Much of Rogue's character built via the last two instalments has just been sheared drastically. The movie took for granted that the audience knew Rogue was a tragic figure, and did away with every oppurtunity to explore her emotions: her sadness of not being able to touch loved ones, her frustration at being unable to give comfort, the horror of Death's touch. Where was all that? Couldn't anything else have been explored, like how she would not be able to fight alongside the X-men if not for the very Death's touch that brings detriment?
As previously mentioned, Mystique is deprived of movie time. I don't see why that has to be. I don't think Mystique's fighting skills are directly connected to her mutation, though it does help. So why deprive her of screen time?
Poor Winged Walter. That character had much potential, he even had a past shown to the audience. A really good one, too. And in the entire movie, he was relevant figure ethically, symbollically, psychologically, emotionally... and totally irrelevant in the plot. All he did was save his father, who really didn't need to be saved.
Like, what the heck? Why would you waste a flying character like that? Surely a person with wings would be a great asset in The Last Stand. Why put him there if you're not going to use him??
And the Boy-in-need-of-rescuing, the key to the Cure, was practically ignored.
And here are the movie's saving graces:
-Short, subtle (and also short-lived) but thought-tugging references to the relationship between Charles Xavier and Eric. Magneto is self-conceited as he is powerful, but despite his arrogance, there has been one, and only one person for whom he has had genuine recognition and respect, both as an enemy and as a friend.
- That "Ten years ago" for Winged Walter. That was really painful to watch, and it just reveals the desperation that drives some to the extreme, because society said they were guilty of nature's crime, because a child will do anything to keep his father's love.
- Young Jean Grey lifting all the cars in the neighbourhood. (I know I said one or the other would've been enough, and I meant it. But the way in which both were done contributed to saving the film)
-The Beast. One of the few new characters given adaequete screen devotion. He is as cute a character here as in the comics/cartoons.
- Iceman's blizzard shooting out from his arm. Very well done.
-The unbelievable extent of Phoenix's powers.
-Lifting of the bridge. Whoa.
- The wicked ending with Magneto... If you can call it an "ending". Similar to the 2nd instalment, where Xavier looks outside the window for "no particular reason", only this time, it feels more evil.
Must also give credit to the bus stop advertisments. The Phoenix one wasn't really thought out, but the Winged guy one (Alienated X Liberated) and the Storm one (Cursed X Gifted) struck really well. Especially the former.
Currently being seduced by manga.
posted by 2P | 1:55 AM
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