Not that this film has been without controversy- as an avid imdb.com message board reader, I’ve seen it all on this film. Most of the issues center around the original X-Men director, Bryan Singer; his decision to jump ship (along with his production staff) early on to helm the new Superman flick threw a major wrench into the works. Following his departure, the script was shopped to several different writers and directors, before finally ending up in the hands of Brett Ratner, a director with a talent for picking up where others leave off (see also: “Red Dragon”).
Other areas of concern focused on the characters and plot. Everything from makeup and costume design to casting decisions to proposed storylines was dissected online by the comic book fan base- notorious for their unhealthy obsessions with detail and continuity. For example, does it really matter if the filmmakers say Juggernaut (Vinnie Jones) is a mutant, even though in the comics he’s the mystically enhanced human stepbrother of Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart)? Plot points in these films should operate on Occams Razor-like efficiency: Juggy has super-powers; therefore he’s a mutant. If they had to explain the Gem of Cyttorak to a movie audience, the film would grind to a halt.
As it is, that is this movie’s only failing- there is already too much information for the story they are attempting to tell. “Last Stand” features the continuation of the conflict between Xavier’s X-Men and their key adversary Magneto (Ian McKellan). Magneto is once again recruiting his Brotherhood of Mutants, in attempt to destroy a “cure” for mutation developed by the industrialist father of Warren “Angel” Worthington III (Ben Foster).
Naturally the government is also interested in the cure, which they see as a potential means to neutralize enemy mutants by sapping their abilities. This plan is strongly opposed by Hank “Beast” McCoy (a furry, blue Kelsey Grammer), a former X-Man and current secretary for mutant affairs. He rightly sees how using the cure as a weapon could incite Magneto and his followers into drastic action.
If that wasn’t enough, “Last Stand” also presents a summarized version of the Dark Phoenix saga, one of the seminal events of the comics’ history. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), who had “died” at the end of “X2: X-Men United,” is reborn as the Phoenix- a wild, uncontrollable psychic force. Potentially she could be a huge asset for the depleted X-Men- they’re basically down to Storm (Halle Berry), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), and a few rookie team members. However, her abilities are seated in her subconscious mind, which resents Xavier’s efforts to contain her power- inevitably this draws her closer to Magneto’s camp.
Between these plot threads there is probably enough material for at least two movies, so trying to pack it all into one makes everything seem a bit rushed. There are certainly places where cuts could be made; the Angel and Beast stories are mostly superfluous, and the cure thread could be streamlined to a bare minimum in order to provide enough room for the Phoenix to develop more fully. After all, Phoenix itself could be two films, one with Jean returning to assist the X-Men, and another where she is their adversary.
However, the simple fact is that this potentially is the “last” stand in this franchise, so the crew’s desire to squeeze in material is forgivable. If there are to be no more X-Men films, then at least they’ve done the Phoenix story, used Juggernaut, and (by adding Angel and Beast) portrayed all five “original” X-Men in one film. And, ultimately they’ve created a very entertaining (if somewhat busy) movie. If this film was their last stand, then the X-Men have left the stage standing tall.
(Please note X-Fans, stay through the credits - there may be life here yet…)
Powered by AkoComment 2.0!
Entertainment
Art
