Anyone who gave this movie over one star, come over here so I can slap you with my leather driving gloves.
What’s wrong with this movie? Just about everything, starting with the story: a drug manufacturer has come up with a “cure” for the mutant X gene that will turn mutants into normal humans, and they’re going to make it available to any mutant who wants it. The bad guy, Magneto (Sir Ian McKellan), doesn’t believe for a second that use of this medicine is going to be voluntary — this means war, so he bands together a bunch of mutants to destroy the source of the cure. Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm (Halle Berry), Beast (Kelsey Grammer), and some other X-Men want to stop him.
Anybody see the problem with this?
You have a major story problem when your bad guy is right.
The story of this movie asks us to believe not just in an alternate world, where mutants exist, but an alternate humanity, where they’d be allowed to exist one minute more than necessary. We’re supposed to equate this anti-mutant feeling with run-of-the-mill prejudice, but y’know, most despised minorities can’t, as the President says, move cities with their minds.
Okay, beyond the story, we have the script problems. Such as the big set piece in Act 3, which is heavily featured in the trailer, but which I won’t spoil. Sure, it’s big, and sure, it’s cool, but it doesn’t make any freakin’ sense. This is the best way for Magneto to achieve his aims? Wouldn’t it be better to launch his invasion stealthily, stop the anti-mutant cure, and then do the big production number? Or at least consider this beforehand?
And then, beyond that, we have the most amazingly horrible dialogue in recent cinematic history. Film students should be forced to study this movie as an exercise in trite, on-the-nose dialogue. I leaned over to Darin and said, “They couldn’t have afforded a dialogue pass on the script?” Just to, y’know, liven it up a little?
And the way everything is suddenly hunky-dory and sweetness and light at the end? I haven’t felt that disgusted at the wrap-up to a movie since we were supposed to believe that everything was all right at the end of A Clear and Present Danger because Harrison Ford was testifying to Congress. After the gigantic battle in Act 3, anyone would ever trust a mutant again? Idon’tthinkso.
Seriously awful stuff. Avoid.
Damnit. Now I’m bummed. I had looked forward to this film. grrrrrrrrr.
Yeah, the trailer did make it look extra cool, but as I said to Darin at the time: “Two words: Brett Ratner.” I’m not sure he’s completely to blame for this movie, but he’s as easy a target as anyone.
I couldn’t agree more. This movie simply bit.
At least we know that Patrick Stewart has a way out of the next one, now that they’ve consigned the franchise into c-movie oblivion. Other than that, the film was mercilessly corny, and a complete betrayal of the first two films.
During the final setpiece, all I could think of was this comic strip. “Sacrificing minions: is there any problem it can’t solve?”
Nice blog, by the way.
It’s refreshing to have someone actually say what they think about a movie and, especially about this beloved franchise. I thought the first two were bad enough. I’ll give this one a pass and buy the $10 bargain DVD when it comes out in three months. 😉