Mod-Blog Rating: 3.5 stars
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
The Short Version: This film is not nearly as good as X-Men 2, and lacks the character depth of X-Men 1. But it is a fun ride and worth your time. However, the film leaves no time for newbies to catch up, so be sure to watch X-Men 1 and 2 on DVD first!
The Long Version: Bryan Singer left us with a cliffhanger at the end of X-Men 2. Jean Grey had died saving her comrades, and showed off powers far beyond those she had ever shown. We were even teased with an image at her watery grave that reminded long-time comic readers of The Phoenix. The Dark Phoenix Saga is a treasured story-line from the X-Men comics. In it Jean Grey comes back from the dead with powers far beyond those of mortal men (and women). Ultimately, of course, that storyline ended in tragedy.
But X-Men fans were horrified when Bryan Singer left the X-Men franchise to make Superman Returns. They were even more freaked when Brett Ratner - director fun but mindless films like RUSH HOUR - was hired to replace him. Ratner's greatest gift to date as a director seemed to be keeping Chris Tucker from actually combusting under the stage lights. Few thought that he could handle the characters and pathos of the X-Men franchise.
But instead, Ratner has produced a film that manages to recapture much of Singer's magic, but brings in some additional action and humor that he is an expert at. The movie is by no means perfect. The first two X-Men films showed a unique ability to keep the storyline essentials that made them great, while throwing out the extras that simply would not work on silm - like yellow spandex costumes. This film does not quite manage the same trick. Dark Phoenix is never quite the complicated illustration of "Absolute power corrupts absolutely" that she was in the comics. And aside from Wolverine and Magneto, the rest of the X-Men are left with little to no character development. But it is far better than I honestly expected. The big battle is much larger than the other two films. The teamwork is better. The individual powers are well done. And just about every mutant you'd ever care about (except Nightcrawler, who is consipculously absent) appears at some point. It is a fun romp for most people.
Who should NOT see this film? Two kinds. One, if you are die-hard X-men comics fan. If you know the Dark Phoenix saga by heart, you'll hate this version of it. Two, if you have never seen X-Men 1 or X-Men 2, don't bother seeing this film. Ratner keeps things moving so quickly, there is no time to explain what is going on to the newbies. It makes no sense if you have not seen the others.
Otherwise, come on out! The film is worth your valuable time.
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