StumpTown Entertainment

I loved the first two X-Men movies, but after seeing the last one and knowing it was the last of the franchise, I had a bit of relief like you have when you’ve watched the starting pitcher dominate a close game and then give up a hit and a walk and then the manager comes to get him. You think, whew, let’s not let this poor kid pitch his way out of a great game. X-Men 3 wasn’t terrible by any stretch, but it was enough worse than the first two to make you relieved this trend wasn’t going to be allowed to continue to the point the whole franchise is tainted.

What it’s about: The battle between men and mutants continues with the good mutants (X-Men – name note: the movie, and I believe the comics offers two possible theories for why they are called X-Men. First, their leader is called “Professor X” since his name is Charles Xavier. Second, the mutant gene that gives mutants their unique traits is referred to as the “Mutant X Gene.” Is there a right answer to the name origin?) and bad mutants (the “Brotherhood”) which are led by Magneto, taking sides with or against the humans.The humans believe they have found a way to “cure” the mutants by turning them human again and the mutants have taken offense at this idea. Magneto decides to take the fight to the humans and the X-Men try to save the day. Lots and lots of cool effects and stunts follow at an exhausting pace.Of course, that’s not the real story of the X-Men movies. The real story is about how we view and treat people who are different than we are. The mutations seen are just extreme differences to help make a point and add some good reason to have lots of kicking, clawing, flying, mayhem and Rebecca Romijn in body paint. There are relatively well placed references to what the Nazis did with the Jews and some thinly veiled references to homosexuality.

The idea is that we should accept and embrace our differences because what makes someone different might also make them great and to assign labels to groups of people who appear different is cruel bigotry and to suggest that there is something wrong with them because of their differences such that they should be changed or want to change themselves, is a form of hate that has resulted in some of the worst atrocities in human history....right? Make no mistake, that is what X-Men is really about, not just a bunch of cool dudes and chicks that can do some wicked, sick tricks.Before you stand up and cheer however, consider the idea that diversity should generally be a neutral term. Differences among people are not good or bad because they make someone different, anymore than someone’s difference in itself makes someone good or bad. Differences must be judged by the standards by which all things are judged. For me, that is my Christian faith and the scripture that captures the will of God, but whatever your standard, don’t be fooled by arguments about acceptance based only in the idea that we shouldn’t judge someone for being different.

That is true to a point, but we can and should judge someone’s conduct, even if that conduct flows from some characteristic that we might be more hesitant to judge. Someone who finds pleasure in hurting other people may be different and add diversity to our society, but this is not a characteristic (nor conduct obviously) that should be embraced for what I hope are rather obvious reasons. Like the movie, that is an extreme example, but makes the point: not all differences are the same or good.

More than anything else, I think the movie aims for you to consider issues like homosexuality and teen rebellion. This is rather overt in some ways and subtle in others, but it is part of what these movies are about whether or not you realize it as you munch your popcorn and take in the cool visuals. The movie wants you to see the painful consequences of suggesting that there is something “wrong” with someone with an “alternative” lifestyle and the plot of this specific movie is no doubt aimed much at people who suggest that our genetic research may someday find the source of sexual proclivities (or other traits/conduct considered out of the mainstream) and provide a way to “cure” someone with “abnormal” sexual (or other) tendencies.

Unfortunately, the setting of the movie where someone is genetically mutated with varying obvious results, does not allow for the greater complexities required in a debate about something like homosexuality. There is no room for a distinction between “being” a certain way and “acting” a certain way and there is little discussion of choice or positive presentation of people who have some good reason for treating someone differently based on their conduct.But, hey, it’s a movie not a philosophical treatise, so we have to cut it some slack even if their presentation is rather one-sided. Plus the movie is also about cool super powers and great fight scenes and whether it would be better to control water or fire and stuff like that. But you should not be so naive to think that this movie is the first ever to have no world view or value system to present in its story. I’m not suggesting the movie makers had an agenda when they made the movie other than making money, but they make a point whether they meant to or not. Before you cheer them on, you should at least think about the point they are making.

What’s to like about this movie: First, great casting/acting. Ian McKellan (Magneto) and Patrick Stewart (Prof. X) add a gravitas to this movie that draws you in even though so much of it is so silly. They make you believe that this is a realistic movie even as everything else screams fantasy. This movie franchise is one of the better ones out there because they went for acting prowess even over star power and Jackman, Berry and Jensen are also great. New comer Kelsey Grammer as “the Beast” was absolutely perfect. In the end, this makes the movie.

I also loved the effects. The scene where Magneto takes on a prison convoy is sensational and even the over the top scene with the Golden Gate bridge shown on the previews is amazing to watch. The costumes, makeup, CGI, fight choreography are all first rate and would compare favorably to just about any movie I’ve seen. I still like some of the stuff from the first two X movies better, but on the visual side, this movie delivers.

What I could have done with out: Like many sequels, this movie tried to do to much without taking the time to do it right. There is some I have to hold back to keep from giving things away, but suffice to say some very dramatic stuff happens involving the characters from these movies, but it all comes off as anti-climactic because the story and set up are given such short shrift. They could have done so much more if they were going to take the plot turns that they took, to make it more meaningful.

There were also too many new mutants to allow any one of them to shine. The fun part of superhero movies is seeing how someone with superpowers goes about life and interacts with mere mortals. Just seeing someone clap shockwaves that knock people over or run through walls, is cool at a certain level, but when the whole movie is made up of people who do these different thing, the coolness is diluted and this movie suffers some from that.

I didn’t like the end. I can’t tell you why without spoiling it, but I didn’t like it. Complete anti-climax I though.

Where was the Nightcrawler? He was missed.I could have done without the line from the Juggernaut to the young girl who runs through walls. Why the profanity? Why then? It just seemed forced and lame.

Who do you like: Come on, you gotta love Wolverine. He’s one of the best superheroes out there. Actually, the character development in these movies is mostly pretty good with the main characters. Even the baddies have a good side that makes the whole conflict more real. This is the real strength of the franchise and was continued in this movie, though not quite at the previous level.

What’s new: the Golden Gate Bridge gets knocked off it’s foundation. A girl who can walk through solid matter uses it to her advantage in a fight, the power of the dark Phoenix on display which I won’t describe, but is very cool. The full power of someone who can control metal. A blue Frasier Crane acting like he’s gone a month without a Late. And I could go on and on. The visuals of this movie are so good, you could enjoy it with the sound off.

What’s the last word: I didn’t like the ending. Watch the movie and then answer me this. Wouldn’t it have been better if it ended up where the bald kid could have balanced the power of the one character most in need of balance enough to salvage things?

Who you should watch this with: Just about anyone over the age of 12 or so (unless you have strong feelings on the effects of violent images on someone that young even in a fantasy setting), and especially boys, though this movie should be fun for all really. About the only people you should avoid taking to this movie are people who by age or personality are just too old or serious to see the fun in superheroes. You know who they are. Just leave them at home until the next Harrison Ford, Clint Eastwood or Tom Hanks movie comes out.

Where you should watch this move: You must see this on the big screen. Some very cool effects in this movie and it will just be wasted on any screen less than 40 inches. If you have a big-screen tv, you can wait, but you should really see this in the theater if at all.

What the couch test says: We saw this movie in the theater where my wife could not fall asleep if she followed a marathon with a full turkey dinner and a Nyquil chaser. No sleeping in public for Tanya. I think my wife liked this movie alright, but to be honest, I give this movie only 55 minutes of Tanya’s wakefulness if viewed on the couch. The story bogs down and leaves you not caring and when my wife stops caring about the characters, it is game over. No amount of action can make up for this.

What it’s like: this is easy here. It is most like the previous 2 X-Men movies, just not as good. Bryan Singer left to direct Superman and was replaced by Bret Ratner. If you liked Rush Hour (Ratner’s biggest movie) more than the first X-Men movie, then you will probably think this movie is just as good as the others. If you didn’t, you might be slightly disappointed in this offering.

What my gut tells me: I was disappointed at a gut level when I walked out. It wasn't bad, but I saw greater potential. It was fun, but left me wanting more.

Where it rates: 7. It is worth seeing and I had a good time, but it could have been so much more. Oh well, at least the risk of a downward spiral is mostly over….there are rumors of a Wolverine spin off, so I will only say “mostly” for now.