Can't Find a Better (x)Man
by Adam Messano - wellredpress.com
X-men: The Last Stand
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Kelsey Grammer,
Anna Paquin, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Vinnie Jones, Ben Foster, Ellen Page and Patrick Stewart
Writers: Simon Kinberg & Zak Penn
Director: Brett Ratner
4 1/2 out of 5 stars
This doesn't live up to the hype. This beats the hype by a mile.
Huge kudos to director Brett Ratner, who took an outstanding script and played it "real" enough to match the first two films while at the same time injecting the high amount of superhero action that's been missing from the X franchise. Scene after scene examines a compelling subject... a "cure" for mutants... while at the same time providing almost too many goodies for comic book fans to keep up with; from the classic Phoenix storyline told in X-men film continuity to dialogue pulled from comic pages. Yes fans, "Oh my stars and garters" is in the final film. If you smile wide at that revelation, that's only the tip of the iceberg for what's in store to delight. If that line doesn't mean much, no worries, Ratner & Co. have you covered too.
Time and again as a comic fan I delighted in the little touches perceptible only if you know the books. But as a film fan I appreciated how the script tailored ideas and stories to fit what's been established in previous X-men movies. You see, this is where comic fans may stumble. Events occur here, huge events. As characters unleash power beyond any they've shown on film before, and manipulations are revealed too, the stakes go up as high as possible. Do events unfold this way in the comics? Nope, moments large and small are added or deleted or edited per what best fits the story. That's the stand to take here. Decisions were made for the benefit of the film franchise while being very aware of major comic influences. Scriptwriters Kinberg & Penn did a masterful job crafting a complicated tale that is mindful of film and comic fans yet still unique on its own merits. Of important note is how many great moments there are for characters, considering the density of faces appearing.
Wolverine is the star of course, and Hugh Jackman returns to form after approaching swaggering, macho self-parody in X-men United. This script is more balanced than that film, there are simply more characters to meet and experience, yet his is the arc we see the events through and Jackman is superb. Just as strong though is Halle Berry, in having both important, quality moments of dialogue, and awesome power displays too. This is the best it has been for Storm, easily. So too is Famke Janssen as a tortured Jean Grey. While not given many lines, the amazing ability she has to go back and forth within a sentence from vulnerable to threatening is subtle and therefore, all the more impressive. In movie continuity, Phoenix could not have been realized better in acting, story and effects.
The special effects are amazing, from computer generated images to sets, to costuming and extensive character makeup. What appears to be a significant budget shows on screen constantly. Do we get the perfect Sentinel? The ideal Danger Room? An awesome display of Colossus' strength? Probably not what the average comic fan has in mind, but when taken as a whole, this is the richest visual comic book experience perhaps ever. A significant number of mutant powers are pushed to their limits; from Magneto's staggering ability to manipulate metal on a huge scale, to an extremely satisfying sequence of Wolverine's berserk rage. It's a huge undertaking to show so much that hasn't been seen before and the attempts to do so with intelligence and quality are much more rewarding than disappointing. (Ok as a comic book fan I wished Colossus had more to do, but in the flow of the movie, I was ok with it.)
At its heart, this story is about loss and self-definition; and it's a strong story at that. Engaging from start to finish, it causes characters to argue and question their values / life paths. The reasons for doing so are more than what you've seen in movie trailers, as the film takes bold chances in character fate as well. If this is the last film in the franchise, they could not have gone out on a higher note. Apart from the main roles mentioned already, the supporting cast is as strong as ever. Shawn Ashmore and Aaron Stanford do fine work in a rewarding grudge match between the true "good guy" Iceman vs. the corrupted Pyro. Newcomer Ellen Page adds quite a bit of realism and believability for a younger team member & student as Kitty Pryde. Vinnie Jones' Juggernaut is comic relief sparingly, and devastatingly unleashed when required. Of course, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen personify their roles better than any actor could as Professor Xavier and Magneto. This script calls each to tap new sides of their well-rounded characters and they do so with grace and commanding presence. It's an exceptionally well cast film.
Excellent work by all here, and as is the duty of any good review, a friendly hint. 'stay till the end of the credits. You won't be disappointed.
Oh, and for the comic book fans out there, listen for the "Throw a strike" line during the climax. It's a perfect inter-character moment that I nearly missed, but will you have you cheering.
