X-cellence at it's Best.
-An X3 review
By: Husk

The first was amazing. The second was sensational. The third is a whole different story. Appropriately named ‘The last stand’, X3 creates a story that comic readers have only dreamt of. Cures are generally associated with diseases, which can be cured, and are a new breakthrough in the medical world. But suddenly the tables are turned completely. With the vaccine being a cure, it cannot really be bad, can it?

This time around, the cure can either be the best or worst thing in the lives of all mutants around. With three enemies to deal with, the X-Men have got their work cut out. Or have they? The plot alone creates twists and turns that will essentially make you feel like you’re riding on a roller coaster, showing both sides of the mutants who want the cure, and the ones who don’t. Wolverine (played by Hugh Jackman) centres the X-Men again, with help from Halle Berry (Storm), Ellen Page (Shadowcat), James Marsden (Cyclops) and Patrick Stuart (Professor Xavier). Just to name a few. Fighting against mutants and humans alike creates a major problem for this group of mutants. Supposedly the cure was optional, but putting them in guns soon draws the attention of Magneto (played by Sir Ian Mckellen) and his brotherhood of mutants. Both groups share a common objective, thinking that the cure should be optional, but one team go about stopping the cure in a much more dangerous way.

The main focus of the X-men is undoubtedly Hugh Jackman. His character Logan has a lot of emotional baggage to say the least. Not on has the woman he loves died, but he has a blank space in his memory to contend with as well. Jackman creates a powerful and raging character as he uses his 6-inch claws to slice and dice anything in his way. X3 takes emotion up a notch, and he is no exception. Wolverine is made strong and he knows to fight for what he believes in. Although in reality it would be impossible to have metal claws retracting out of your hands, Jackman’s realistic performance shows real feelings, even when consumed with rage he manages to show what he is fighting for without saying a word.

Of course the X-Men are made up of more than just one mutant. Halle Berry is also one of the main characters, playing Storm who this time around becomes a real part of the action. She also uses an emotional advantage to show how deep and controversial Storm can be. As one of the first black female heroes, she is shown not to be the heroin who is always saved by the male hero, but she does have powers which could even give Wolverine a run for his money. She becomes a part of the institute itself as the plot begins to thicken and she fights for all the ones she loved.

As leader of the Brother, Ian Mckellen shows his overwhelming power, mostly by special effects. However that doesn’t mean that he can’t show his own sense of justice. It may not be the same justice that the X-Men believe in, but he still manages to bring a countless number of mutants to his cause. His character may not show as much emotion as some of the other, but he still continues to astound the audience with his lack of pity or sympathy for anybody who gets in his way. He is calm and wise and knows the right time to be aggressive.

Patrick Stuart of course, creates the backbone of the X-Men and even though he takes a back seat in action scenes, still manages to produce a conscience to show them the right paths.

Even some of the less prominent characters create a sense of tension and inspiration. Daniel Cudmore playing Colossus may not say much, but his action scenes are simply amazing and show that offensive powers can be used to help. Kelsey Grammer (Beast) never fails to show how some mutants can be intellectuals and can help the society immensely. His performance creates some very memorable moments and shows that Beast is very charismatic. Vinnie Jones makes a whirlpool of rage as the unstoppable Juggernaut and while the role doesn’t last as long as some might have hoped, his dialogue is unforgettable. Ben Foster, although harnessed with visual effects, creates nothing spectacular, whereas Ellen Page and Shawn Ashmore create chemistry together which will leave you wanting more. The two of them show that being a mutant doesn’t mean you cannot have a love life.

However this leaves Anna Panquin alone and still afraid of her powers. Not being able to touch anybody in fear of killing them creates a particular burden for her, and after seeing her boyfriend running off with a girl who can walk through walls she is left with probably one of the hardest choices to make in her mutant life. The cure is a way out of it all, and with nobody to stop her she could become a human and liver her life no longer being scared.

Famke Janssen returns, once again as Jean Grey. Although this time she has changed. Her morals and personality have taken a dramatic turn for the worse. But her character just keeps getting better and better. As Jean fights to take control over the ‘phoenix’ Janssen is made to act both good and evil to create a real split personality. Something, which she does well.

With the new director Brett Ratner taking over from Bryan Singer, the special effects seemed to take a lead role. X3 creates and shows mutant powers like never before and the fight scenes especially, create tension and never fail to leave the audience amazed and wanting more. The realism on the man-made sets and backdrops portrays a life-like scene and shows just what could happen if a mutant took control.

The only possible negative point for this movie is the lack of genuine dialogue. Ratner seems to have taken more time figuring out the special effects, and leaving the dialogue behind. There are far too many speeches that fail to show the emotion that could be put in them. The actors do all that they can, but it’s down to the screen writing, which is where the problem lies.


Gifted or cursed, you be the judge.