The Wolverine (2013 film)

Based on the comic series by Chris Claremont and Frank Miller, The Wolverine is a spin-off film from the X-Men series in which Logan/Wolverine travels to Japan to meet an old friend who offers him the chance to be mortal only to encounter dark forces who want to end him as he also struggles with himself and the guilt over those he lost. Directed by James Mangold and screenplay by Mark Bomback and Scott Frank, the film is a stand-alone film in which Wolverine faces new dark enemies while dealing with the actions he caused in his past as Hugh Jackman reprises his role as the titular character. Also starring Hiroyuki Sanada, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima, Will Yun Lee, Haruhiko Yamanouchi, Svetlana Khodchenkova, and Famke Janssen as Jean Grey. The Wolverine is a smart and compelling film from James Mangold.

The Wolverine is a character that is known famously for his metallic claws as well as the ability to heal himself quite quickly which makes him invulnerable. Yet, the film showcases Logan/Wolverine troubled by guilt over the people he’s lost in his life until he is offered the chance to lose his immortality by an old friend in Japan whose life he saved in Nagasaki during the atomic bombing in World War II. For the Wolverine, he would eventually encounter mortality as it would be difficult to deal with as the visions he had of Jean Grey would also haunt him as he tries to protect his old friend’s granddaughter Mariko (Tao Okamoto) from the Yakuza and those who want her dead over the fact that she would inherit her grandfather’s company. With the help of a mutant named Yukio (Rila Fukushima) who has the power to foresee death, Logan would do whatever it takes to protect Mariko from these forces.

The film’s screenplay does bring in some back story about how Logan met and saved the life of Yashida (Haruhiko Yamanouchi) as Logan’s trip to Japan would have him think about the day and what they encountered. Yet, the film begins with that awful day in Nagasaki as well as Logan’s dreams about Jean and his vows to not hurt anyone ever as he has become a man lost in his grief until Yukio finds him in Alaska as a ragged warrior who refuses to kill or hunt. When he arrives to Japan to meet Yashida, he deals with Yashida’s very angry son Shingen (Hiroyuki Sanada) as well as a mysterious chemist named Dr. Green (Svetlana Khodchenkova) who is also a mutant who is immune to toxins as she is one of the film’s antagonists along with Shingen and Mariko’s fiancée Noburo Mori (Brian Tee) who is a corrupt politician who hopes to marry Mariko for political and financial means. Yet, these individuals all have mysterious ways to immobilize Logan who is trying to protect Mariko from these people as he learns more about her and Yashida while trying to come to terms with his grief and facing mortality.

James Mangold’s direction is pretty stylish in terms of the set pieces and action sequences he creates while taking the time to slow things down so that audiences can get a breather and get to know the characters. Much of the compositions are straightforward in some cases as it includes some close-ups, medium shots, and some wide shots as some of it is in Japan plus some of the locations are in Australia. Mangold keeps much of the dramatic and humorous scenes in an intimate setting while much of the action scenes are quite spectacular such as Logan’s fight with Yakuza members on the bullet train. Yet, the climatic action sequence where Logan fights off against members of the Black Ninja Clan led by Mariko’s longtime friend Kenuichio Harada (Will Yun Lee) and later a mysterious enemy known as the Silver Samurai. While there are some flaws in the film in terms of exposition as well as a few twists, Mangold is able to keep things engaging as he balances a lot of the film’s action with some Japanese mythology on the samurai as well as Logan facing himself and the guilt he had been carrying. Overall, Mangold creates a very entertaining yet captivating film about a mutant trying to find meaning again in his life.

Cinematographer Ross Emery does excellent work with some of the film‘s naturalistic and slightly stylized look for some of the daytime exterior/interior scenes while going for some low-key filters and color scheming for the interior/exterior scenes at night. Editor Michael McCusker does brilliant work with the editing in creating a few montages while keeping things stylish for some of the film‘s action sequences as it doesn‘t deviate to chaotic-editing styles while going for something more straightforward in the dramatic scenes. Production designer Francois Audouy, with set decorator Rebecca Cohen and supervising art director Ian Gracie, does fantastic work with the set pieces from the lavish yet traditional Japanese home of Yashida to the secret home in Nagasaki where Logan and Mariko hide out at.

Costume designer Isis Mussenden does terrific work with the costumes from the Japanese robes as well as some of the stylish clothes that Yukio wears as well as the clothes that Dr. Green wears. Visual effects supervisors Phil Brennan and Nick Pill do superb work with the visual effects in some of the film‘s action sequences as well as the design of the creatures that would infect Wolverine and his immortality. Sound editors John A. Larsen and Donald Sylvester, with sound designers Chuck Michael and Dror Mohar, do amazing work in the sound for its sound effects as well as some of the distortions that it creates whenever Logan starts to feel vulnerable. The film’s music by Marco Beltrami is wonderful for its mixture of low-key electronic music with Japanese percussion music and bombastic string arrangements to play into the suspense and action.

The casting by Lisa Beach, Priscilla John, Sarah Katzman, Jessica Kelly, Yoko Narahashi, and Suzanne Smith is phenomenal for its ensemble as it features notable small performances from Haruhiko Yamanouchi as Logan’s old friend Yashida who offers Logan mortality while Famke Janssen is terrific as Jean Grey who would haunt Logan in his dreams and play into his sense of guilt. Brian Tee is very good as Mariko’s corrupt fiancée Mori who tries to gain power through marrying Mariko while Will Yun Lee is superb as Mariko’s childhood friend Harada who tries to protect her only to get into some trouble with Dr. Green who would use him as he becomes confused in his loyalties. Hiroyuki Sanada is excellent as Mariko’s father Shingen who becomes upset in being passed over by his father as he wants control of his father’s company. Svetlana Khodchenkova is amazing as the mysterious Dr. Green who spouts poisonous toxins as she is this slimy villain who is able to bring problems to Wolverine.

Rila Fukushima is brilliant as the skilled assassin/mutant Yukio who is a total badass as she is also Logan’s conscience of sorts as well as a sister to Mariko. Tao Okamoto is fantastic as Yashida’s granddaughter Mariko who deals with the loss of her grandfather as well as what she would inherit as she also tries to understand Logan as she tries to get him to find a reason to fight again. Finally, there’s Hugh Jackman in a marvelous performance as Logan/Wolverine as Jackman brings that sense of doing what is right as well as the anguish of a man wracked by grief and guilt as it’s a performance that makes the Wolverine character so beloved as only Jackman can bring that character to life.

The Wolverine is an excellent film from James Mangold that features an incredible performance from Hugh Jackman as the titular character. Not only is it one of the smarter action-blockbusters but also an entertaining one where it gives audiences a reason to care for the character all over again. Especially as it is a major improvement over the previous film that starred the character as well as being a solid entry in the X-Men film franchise. In the end, The Wolverine is a superb film from James Mangold.

James Mangold Films: (Heavy) - (Cop Land) - (Girl, Interrupted) - (Kate & Leopold) - (Identity (2003 film)) - (Walk the Line) - 3:10 to Yuma (2007 film) - (Knight and Day) - Ford v Ferrari - (Indiana Jones 5)

X-Men Films: X-Men - X2: X-Men United - X-Men III: The Last Stand - X-Men Origins: Wolverine - X-Men: First Class - X-Men: Days of Future Past - X-Men: Apocalypse - Logan (2017 film) - Deadpool 2 – (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) - (New Mutants)

© thevoid99 2014

007 James Bond Marathon: Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

Directed by Stevan Riley, Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 is the story of the James Bond franchise and how it was made by three men who would come up with a franchise that’s now lasted for 50 years. The documentary explores the roots of the James Bond story and how it would evolve in the many years through different actors playing Bond as well as all sorts of things that nearly derailed the franchise. The result is a truly engrossing and incredible documentary from Stevan Riley about the James Bond franchise.

The documentary explores the history of James Bond dating back to the 1940s when Ian Fleming was a naval officer working for the British government in World War II. During his time working for a newspaper and vacationing in Jamaica just as the Cold War was to start, he would write the first James Bond novel in Casino Royale that would launch the James Bond books series. Throughout the course of the film, it reveals how Albert “Cubby” Broccoli and Harry Saltzman teamed up to get the rights and create one of the great film franchises in the history of films.

With interviews by the families of Fleming, Broccoli, Saltzman, and associates that includes Christopher Lee who was a step cousin of Fleming. Also interviewed are five of the six actors who played James Bond while Sean Connery’s is only presented in archival audio and video interviews. In the course of the story, things are revealed into why Sean Connery left the franchise the first time around after You Only Live Twice and why George Lazenby only did one film. Also touched upon is the split between Broccoli and Saltzman after the release of The Man with the Golden Gun in which Saltzman sold his shares to United Artists though the two made peace when Broccoli invited Saltzman to the screening of For Your Eyes Only.

Another person that is talked about is Kevin McClory who claimed to have co-written Thunderball with Fleming and Jack Whittingham as it led to all sorts of legal troubles for many years that gave McClory the chance to make Never Say Never Again in 1983 against EON’s production of Octopussy released that same year. Broccoli’s daughter Barbara and his stepson Michael G. Wilson revealed a lot more into many of the legal issues that kept Bond out of the spotlight for six years in the early 1990s which contributed to Cubby Broccoli’s ailing health. It’s among one of the most compelling tales of the Bond franchise story as well as how they got the rights to Casino Royale in the hopes to reinvent Bond in a post 9/11 world.

Stevan Riley’s direction is brilliant for the way he tells the stories through many interviews from people who were in the franchise or were involved like production designer Ken Adam along with fans like former U.S. president Bill Clinton. Through the editing of Claire Ferguson, the film reveals a lot of rare photos and video footage of the films being made in production as well as old family movies from the Saltzman and Broccoli family of their time together during the 1960s. The actors who played Bond reveal small stories about the franchise where Pierce Brosnan revealed how he almost got the part in the mid-80s after Roger Moore’s departure but was derailed when NBC bought the rights to have Remington Steele on their network. It is among the many fun stories about the film’s franchise and it has more than enough material for Bond fans to enjoy.

Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 is a phenomenal documentary from Stevan Riley that explores the history of James Bond. It is a film that Bond fans must see whether they know a lot about the franchise’s history or for those who are new to the series. It’s definitely something that serves as a great companion piece to the film’s franchise as well as reveal the story about the three men who created a franchise that is now 50 years old and is more beloved than ever. In the end, Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007 is a marvelous film from Stevan Riley.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - GoldenEye - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls are Forever - True Bond

© thevoid99 2012

007 James Bond Marathon: GoldenEye

Based on the stories of Ian Fleming, GoldenEye is the story of James Bond going up against an old 00 agent from destroying London with a satellite weapon. Directed by Martin Campbell and screenplay by Michael France, Jeffrey Caine, Kevin Wade, and Bruce Feirstein from a story by France. The film marks James Bond return to the big screen following a six-year hiatus due to legal disputes as playing the role of Bond is Irish actor Pierce Brosnan. Also starring Sean Bean, Izabella Scorupo, Famke Janssen, Robbie Coltrane, Alan Cumming, Tcheky Kayro, Joe Don Baker, Desmond Llewnlyn, Samantha Bond, and Judi Dench as M. GoldenEye is an exhilarating yet fun film from Martin Campbell.

On a trip to Monte Carlo, James Bond follows a mysterious woman named Xenia Onatopp (Famke Janssen) who is rumored to be part of a secret crime syndicate called Janus. Bond tracks her down as she had just killed an admiral to steal a helicopter that can withstand electromagnetic pulse. The helicopter arrives at a Russian bunker where Onatopp and General Ourumov (Gottfried John) kill the people at a satellite command station to take control of a satellite known as GoldenEye that can destroy locations with an electromagnetic pulse. Witnessing this is a computer programmer named Natalya Simonova (Izabella Scorupo) as she hides from the massacre and manages to survive the collapse of the building. Bond is asked by M to investigate the matter as he travels to St. Petersburg to find out more about Janus.

With the help of CIA agent Jack Wade, Bond meets an old adversary in Russian mafia head Valentin Zukovsky (Robbie Coltrane) who decides to help Bond by setting up a meeting between Bond and Janus. After an encounter with Onatopp, Bond finally gets to meet the head of Janus as it’s revealed to be former 00 agent Alec Trevelyan (Sean Bean) who Bond thought was killed in a mission they took part in nine years ago. Trevelyan with help of Onatopp and Ourumov trap Bond in the helicopter that was stolen as Bond and Simonova manage to escape as they’re eventually captured by Russian authorities as they meet Russian defense minister Dimitri Mishkin (Tcheky Kayro) where Bond reveals what’s going on.

Ourumov would end up causing trouble as he takes Simonova leading to a chase as Bond boards Trevelyan’s train where Bond has another confrontation with Trevelyan. After another escape with Simonova, the two travel to Cuba to stop Trevelyan from using the GoldenEye satellite as Bond learns what Trevelyan is planning to do.

The film is essentially another story of James Bond trying to save the world but this time around, he faces up against someone who was a friend and ally who knows Bond better than anyone else. It’s also a film where Bond has to deal with changing times as the Cold War is over and he has a new M that is very different from her predecessors who isn‘t fond of Bond and his antics. This would allow Bond to face hard facts about himself and his company as he discovers that the man who was once his ally has now become the enemy whose motivation is simply vengeance in the most extreme way.

The screenplay explores this new post-Cold War world where it’s clear that people like Ourumov is still trying to uphold the old prestige of the Soviet Union as he plans to threaten the new, fragile peace that Russia wants. Yet, it’s the Alec Trevelyan character that is the most interesting as he is the brains behind the scheme as he wants to destroy London for what they did to his parents. With Ourumov’s help as well as Xenia Onatopp and a computer programmer named Boris Grishenko (Alan Cumming), Trevelyan would not only get his revenge but also something more as he also wants to humiliate Bond. Still, the script allows Bond to re-think his strategies as he gets help from another computer programmer in Natalya Simonova who knows what the Janus crime group are up to and can stop the GoldenEye satellite from creating chaos.

Martin Campbell’s direction is definitely big in the way he presents the film as he is aware that this is a James Bond film and it has to be big. The film opens with this amazing prologue of Bond and Trevelyan teaming up to stop Ourumov at a Soviet chemical plant where it establishes Bond’s friendship with Trevelyan and the unexpected betrayal that would follow nine years later. With the locations set in Russia, London, Monte Carlo, and Puerto Rico, the direction establishes that the world is far grander in this post-Cold War period as computers also play a part in the scheme where Trevelyan and Grishenko would do things to control this deadly satellite.

With these spectacular action sequences that includes a few chase scenes, Campbell does manage to create a film that is thrilling while taking its time to establish what is going on. Campbell also balances the action with bits of humor as well as a lot of suspense as he makes sure that is about Bond doing his job to investigate where he would uncover many secrets about what he’s facing. Even as it would lead to a climatic face-off between Bond and Trevelyan in a grand sequence that pits 00 against 00. Overall, Campbell creates a truly solid yet exciting film that lives up to the James Bond name.

Cinematographer Phil Meheux does excellent work with the film‘s photography from the lighting schemes in the spa fight scene to some of the day and nighttime exteriors of the locations in the film. Editor Terry Rawlings does nice work with the editing by creating some rhythmic cuts for the film‘s action scenes along with some more methodical cuts for the film‘s suspense. Production designer Peter Lamont, with set decorator Michael Ford and art director Neil Lamont, does fantastic work with the set pieces such as MI6 base, the train car that Trevelyan chills out at, and the main base for the film’s climatic confrontation. Costume designer Lindy Hemming does superb work with the costumes such as the lavish dresses and clothes that Xenia Onatopp wears.

Special effects supervisor Chris Corbould does brilliant work with the special effects created for the action scenes along with visual effects miniatures made by Derek Meddings, whom the film is dedicated to. Sound editor Jim Shields does terrific work with the sound to capture the atmosphere of action scenes to the more intimate moments in the meetings Bond would have. The film’s music by Eric Serra is wonderful for its mix of orchestral flourishes and electronic music to create an air of suspense as well as utilizing the Bond themes to play out the action scenes. The title song by U2’s Bono and the Edge that is sung by Tina Turner is among one of the most fascinating songs of the Bond catalog.

The casting by Debbie McWilliams is amazing for the ensemble that is created as it features appearances from Minnie Driver as Zukovsky’s mistress, Serena Gordon as Bond’s Monte Carlo evaluator, Robbie Coltrane as Russian gangster Valentin Zukovsky, Joe Don Baker as CIA agent Jack Wade, and Tcheky Kayro as Russian defense minister Dmitri Mishkin. Alan Cumming is very funny as the cocky computer programmer Boris Grishenko while Gottfried John is very good as the villainous General Ourumov. In her first appearance as Miss Moneypenny, Samantha Bond is wonderful as M’s personal secretary who revels in her dating life while Desmond Llewelyn is fantastic as the very witty inventor Q who provides Bond some amazing gadgets.

Famke Janssen is superb as the villainous Xenia Onatopp as she has this great presence that is alluring while being very dangerous in the way she deals with men physically. Judi Dench is great as Bond’s superior M where Dench provides a very different approach to the character in her disdain towards Bond’s antics while making sure he maintains his professionalism in his mission. Izabella Scorupo is excellent as computer programmer Natalya Simonova who helps Bond to deal with the Janus crime syndicate as she is also a very smart individual who can deal with Grishenko. Sean Bean is phenomenal as Alec Trevelyan who organizes a plan to destroy London while trying to defeat Bond in every game while anticipating everything else Bond does as Bean does solid work.

Finally, there’s Pierce Brosnan in his first of four outings as James Bond. Brosnan brings a sense of wit and charm to the character that is very engaging as well as a physicality that is also startling to watch as he makes Bond a guy who isn’t afraid to throw down. Brosnan also manages to make Bond more human by having show a bit of humility for the fact that he’s facing an old friend adding a bit of new edge to the character as Brosnan definitely gives a very memorable portrayal of Agent 007.

GoldenEye is a marvelous film from Martin Campbell that features Pierce Brosnan in a remarkable performance as James Bond. Along with wonderful supporting work from Sean Bean, Famke Janssen, Izabella Scorupo, and Judi Dench. It’s a film that lives up to a lot of elements of the Bond films of the past while bringing something new to make Bond fresh and exciting. In the end, GoldenEye is a mesmerizing and spectacular film from Martin Campbell.

James Bond Files: The EON Films: Dr. No - From Russia with Love - Goldfinger - Thunderball - You Only Live Twice - On Her Majesty's Secret Service - Diamonds are Forever - Live and Let Die - The Man with the Golden Gun - The Spy Who Loved Me - Moonraker - For Your Eyes Only - Octopussy - A View to a Kill - The Living Daylights - Licence to Kill - Tomorrow Never Dies - The World is Not Enough - Die Another Day - Casino Royale (2006 film) - Quantum of Solace - Skyfall - SPECTRE - No Time to Die

Non-EON Films: Casino Royale (Climax! TV Episode) - Casino Royale (1967 film) - Never Say Never Again

Bond Documentaries: Bond Girls Are Forever - True Bond - Everything or Nothing: The Untold Story of 007

© thevoid99 2012

X-Men 3: The Last Stand

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/28/06 w/ Extensive Re-Edits & Revisions.

When the X-Men comic books finally became feature films in 2000 with director Bryan Singer in the helm. The response at first was mixed but positive since it brought new fans a nice introduction to the cast of the X-Men team while giving Australian actor Hugh Jackman a real breakthrough as Wolverine. In 2003, Singer reunited with most of the cast for the sequel called X2: X-Men United that not only received better reviews but spectacular box office numbers as fans praised the film for a stronger story, more characters, and better performances from the cast. What really shocked fans in the second film was the sacrificial death of one of the story's major characters in Jean Grey. Yet, when fans heard she would return as the Dark Phoenix, it was clear that the X-Men franchise was getting into better storylines.

Unfortunately, plans for the third film was becoming very troubled as the development for the story was troubling as Bryan Singer chose to leave the franchise with his team to work on the much-delayed Superman movie. Problems also occurred when Halle Berry chose to leave the franchise for her own attempt in stardom but after 2004's Catwoman got destroyed in the box office, she returned awaiting to see who would become the new director. After Layer Cake director Matthew Vaughn was signed on and then chose to leave, Rush Hour director Brett Ratner came into the helm where to some fans, it leaves a lot of worries but Ratner ensured that he wouldn't screw it up. With the focus on the Dark Phoenix plot and the war between the X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood in the story, X-Men 3: The Last Stand is well underway.

With a screenplay by Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg with Brett Ratner as director, X-Men 3: The Last Stand revolves around a vaccine that cures the mutation gene which gives mutants the chance to be cured. While neither Magneto or his former friend Charles Xavier are fond of the cure, it only increases Magneto's hatred for humans even more as he declares a war against them. Making things worse for the X-Men team is the re-discovery of Jean Grey's body that has evolved into something far worse as she becomes the Dark Phoenix who joins the Brotherhood. With the X-Men short on allies, it's up to Xavier, Logan, Storm, and company to save the humans and make a stand against the Brotherhood.

Returning from the previous parts of the franchise are Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Famke Janssen, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Daniel Cudmore, Ian McKellen, Aaron Stanford, and Rebecca Romijn. Joining the new cast are Ben Foster, Kelsey Grammer, Ellen Page, Shoreh Aghdashloo, Olivia Williams, Josef Sommers, Dania Ramirez, Vinnie Jones, and Cameron Bright. X-Men 3: The Last Stand has its moments but is a very un-compelling, messy film.

A new U.S. President (Josef Sommers) has maintained peace with mutants by being open to their cause with from its Secretary of Affairs in Hank McCoy/Beast (Kelsey Grammer).  When news about a cure for the mutant gene developed by Warren Worthington II (Michael Murphy), McCoy is worried as he turns to his old mentor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) about the cure and its source in a young mutant named Jimmy (Cameron Bright).  Xavier worries that it will give his old friend Erik Lehnsherr/Magneto (Ian McKellan) more reasons to fight as his comrade Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) has been captured.  With Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Storm (Halle Berry) helping to train young mutants for combat, both are unsure if their pupils are ready with Scott Summers/Cyclops (James Marsden) still in mourning over the death of Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).

With news of the cure reaching Xavier's school, mixed feelings arrive among everyone though Rogue (Anna Paquin) sees it as a good thing as she isn't fond of her powers.  Even as her boyfriend Bobby/Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) has been taking interest towards Kitty Pryde/Shadowcat (Ellen Page).  Magneto meanwhile, uses the news of the cure as a rallying cry to forge the Brotherhood with help from his new protege Pyro (Aaron Stanford) and other new mutants in Callisto (Dania Ramirez) as they help retrieve Mystique along with a couple of mutants in Multiple Man (Eric Dane) and Juggernaut (Vinnie Jones).  When Scott goes to Alkali Lake where Jean has reappeared as Xavier senses Jean only to realize something is right.  Logan learns that Xavier used psychic blocks to prevent a dark personality in Jean in order to protect her as Logan's feelings for her lead to an escape.

With Magneto realizing that Jean is alive and more powerful, he tries to get her to his side as Xavier pleads to not to let her dark side control her while Logan and Storm try to fight off Magneto's Brotherhood.  Following a devastating loss and pondering what to do, Logan tries to find the Brotherhood and what Magneto is up to while Warren Worthington's mutant son Warren III (Ben Foster) joins the school as he helps out.  After returning from Magneto's secret base and learning his plans, Logan, Storm, and Hank along with younger, trained mutants decide to fight Magneto and his Brotherhood and the more dangerous Jean who is now Phoenix.

When the X-Men franchise was in the hands of Bryan Singer and his team, it allowed Singer to get a chance to develop the characters and create something that was more than a typical blockbuster action film.  Singer's departure along with his team changes things as the franchise goes into the hand of a much more commercial filmmaker in Brett Ratner.  While Ratner does have a good ear for humor and knows how to get the ball rolling.  The problem is that he along with screenwriters Zak Penn and Simon Kinberg cram too many ideas, storylines, and exposition into a film that becomes very messy.  The script doesn't allow the audience to figure out what's going on or to slow the story down.  Even as there's too many characters to follow where things needed to be simplified or have some of central figure to follow.

Ratner's direction does have a few excellent moments such as the training scene as well as some intimate scenes at Xavier's school.  For the rest of the film, it seems uninspiring and overblown at times.  The action scenes move a little too fast while the dramatic moments comes across as cheesy and unnecessary.  While Ratner does try to put some humor in scenes where he gets one notable humorous action moment right, the rest of it doesn't seem to work.  A lot of the big action moments don't feel very natural as the overall film is an excessive mess that doesn't stretch itself or simplify things for its audience. 

Cinematographer Dante Spinotti does an OK job with the photography though at times, he goes overboard with visual flair and digital coloring that makes the film seem unnatural in its look. Production designer Ed Verraux does excellent work in creating the look of the school and the meeting of the Brotherhood through its forests where most of it is shot in Vancouver. Visual effects supervisor John Bruno and team do great work on the visual effects, notably the final battle sequence and Magneto's movement of the Golden Gate Bridge. Sound designer Craig Henighan also does excellent work on the sound while editors Mark Goldblatt, Mark Helfrich, and Julia Wong do a decent job in the cutting work in giving the story some speed although the fast cuts tend to lose sight on the story.

Costume designer Judianna Makovsky does great work on the costumes while giving the X-Men suits a new look of sorts while make-up supervisor Rosalina Da Silva and her team do great work on the makeup, particularly for the character of Beast. John Powell also does good bombastic work on the film's score that plays up to the intensity of the action as well as the dramatic moments of the film.

The film's cast features some great, small performances from Anthony Heald as an interrogator, Haley Ramm as the young Jean Grey, Cayden Boyd as the young Warren III, and the cameos of Stan Lee, Olivia Williams as an associate of Xavier, and the voice of R. Lee Emrey. Bill Duke as General Trask and Josef Sommers as the President are decent in their brief roles while Oscar nominee Shoreh Aghdashloo as Dr. Rao is sorted of wasted in a thankless role. Michael Murphy is also good while Ben Foster is OK as Angel though he doesn't get much to do. Omahyra and Eric Dane are memorable in their role as Brotherhood mutants while Daniel Cudmore is somewhat wasted as Colossus since he only gets one line in the film. Rebecca Romijn is also wasted as Mystique since by the first 20-30 minutes, she's gone which is a shame to a very enjoyable character that only Romijn could do. Cameron Bright is terrible as Jimmy as he spends most of the film giving the creepy gaze that he's always done in a lot of his performances.

Dania Ramirez is awful as Callisto as she tries to be all tough when it doesn't really work as her dialogue delivery is very amateurish.  James Marsden's role as Cyclops is also brief as only becomes a plot device in the part of Jean Grey's evolution as Phoenix. Of all the newcomers to join the film, Ellen Page, in her brief moments, is a real standout in the role of Kitty Pryde as she reveals all the insecurities and attitude in what it takes to be a mutant of power.  Shawn Ashmore also stands out as Iceman as he develops from a character who finally gets to use the full potential of his powers for the use of good as he has a great scene with Aaron Stanford. Stanford really shines as Magneto's new right-hand man who apparently still has a lot to learn about morals in his scenes with Ian McKellan. Vinnie Jones is another big standout in the role of the Juggernaut as he has some great, hilarious one-liners and some cool moments where he quotes, "I'm the Juggernaut bitch!"

Of all the new actors to join the series, Kelsey Grammer is very good combining his intellectual wit that he brought from Frasier to the role of Beast. Grammer brings full advantage of a mutant who understands both prejudice and intolerance while he got to do some amazing fight scenes as well. Anna Paquin, unfortunately, despite her efforts couldn't make Rogue into a strong character that was expected from the comic book fans. Paquin is forced to act frustrated and lonely as she ends up being really wasted after having a flawed if strong performance in the first film. Ian McKellan is great, as usual, in the role of the villainous Magneto whose fury upon the humans reveals his prejudice and how blind he's become from the person he was early in the film's first few minutes in a flashback scene. Patrick Stewart is also great as the more tolerant Charles Xavier whose fear of Jean’s full powers show that he's a flawed man trying to do what is right for everyone including his students.

Famke Janssen delivers a good as Jean Grey/Phoenix as a woman whose emotional and mental disability clashes with the woman that fans knew in the previous film and the dark, maniacal Phoenix. Janssen reveals the troubles of the character full-on as it's a woman we all know we don't want to mess with but have pity for. Halle Berry is good as Storm can do and delivers a kick-ass performance by flying, shooting out lightning, and doing all sorts of stuff though her dramatic moments are weak due to the script's shortcomings. The franchise's breakout star Hugh Jackman is good though not great as Wolverine as he does what he's expected to do though he's not really given the chance to be more out there as it's a step-down from the more developed role he had in the previous film.

Despite some decent moments and some performances, X-Men 3:  The Last Stand is a very disappointing film in the X-Men franchise.  Blame should go to Brett Ratner for just trying to do too much and give people what they want except giving them a cohesive story and a central story to focus on.  It's no doubt it's the weakest of the first three films though it's not the worst film of the X-Men franchise which goes to the debacle that was the prequel X-Men Origins:  Wolverine.  It's a film that does have some entertaining moments but not enough to satisfy its fans who enjoyed the previous films as X-Men 3:  The Last Stand is a full-blown mess. 

X-Men Films: X-Men - X2: X-Men United - X-Men Origins: Wolverine - X-Men: First Class - The Wolverine - X-Men: Days of Future Past - X-Men: Apocalypse - Logan (2017 film) - Deadpool 2 – (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) - (New Mutants)

© thevoid99 2011

X2: X-Men United

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 8/12/04 w/ Extensive Revision.

When the first X-Men film arrived in 2000, it was a hit in the box office as director Bryan Singer helped create a wave of comic-book superhero films that was followed by Sam Raimi's 2002 film Spider-Man. Realizing that a franchise could be made with the X-Men series, Singer went ahead to create a sequel that would improve some of the shortcomings of the first film but also broaden the story more. The result would be 2003's X2: X-Men United.

X2: X-Men United picks up where the first one was left as the story centers around Wolverine who is trying to find clues of his past and his transformation into becoming a mutant. At the same time, a failed assassination on the U.S. president by a mutant makes those in the X-Men team suspicious as they interrogate their nemesis Magneto while being in pursuit from an army colonel. Based on the comic book with the screen story co-written with director Singer before turning into a script by David Hayter, Dan Harris, and Michael Dougherty, X2 is a film that allows the X-Men series to go into bigger ideas along with themes of prejudice and chaos. With a cast that includes those from first film like Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellan, Halle Berry, James Marsden, Anna Paquin, Famke Janssen, Rebecca Romijn-Stamos, Bruce Davison, and Shawn Ashmore with new actors to the franchise, Brian Cox, Kelly Hu, Alan Cumming, Cotter Smith, and Aaron Stanford. X2: X-Men United is one of the smartest and entertaining of Hollywood blockbusters.

Despite the repeal the Mutant Registration Act that was led by one of its original supporters in Senator Kelly (Bruce Davison), a teleporting mutant named Nightcrawler/Kurt Wagner (Alan Cumming) has made an attempted assassination on President McKenna (Cotter Smith). With suspicions arising that the attack was orchestrated by Magneto/Erik Lehnsherr (Ian McKellan) who is currently in a special prison. McKenna asks Col. William Stryker (Brian Cox) to investigate as Senator Kelly makes a visit asking about Lehnsherr's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Storm (Halle Berry), Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), and Scott Summers (James Marsden) learn about the president's attack during a field trip with students as Xavier looks for Wagner's whereabouts. Logan/Wolverine returns to Xavier's school following a failed search for a base at Alkali Lake as he asks Xavier for help to search for lost memories. Xavier reluctantly refuses as he asks Logan to watch over the students as he and the rest of the X-Men investigate the attack.

With Jean and Storm trying to find Wagner to asks questions as it's revealed that he doesn't know what he's done. Xavier and Scott go to the compound to meet with Magneto. Magneto is under the influence of a drug as he reveals to Xavier he gave some information to Stryker leading to a trap as Xavier and Scott are captured by Stryker's assistant Yuriko Oyama/Lady Deathstrike (Kelly Hu). Back at Xavier's mansion, a raid led by Stryker happens as Logan helps many of the students escape only to be met with Stryker who knew Logan from many years ago. Haunted by Stryker's presence, he is saved by Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Bobby Drake/Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) to escape with their friend Pyro (Aaron Stanford) where they hide out at the home of Bobby's family.

At Stryker's secret hiding facilities, Xavier learns what Stryker is up to as he is forced to be under the control of Stryker's son Jason (Michael Reid McKay) who gets into Xavier's mind. After finding a device in a car that belonged to Scott, Logan makes contact with Jean and Storm as cops surround Bobby's family home after a call from Bobby's younger brother leading to Pyro to attack the cops that is stopped by Rogue. When Jean and Storm arrive with the X-Jet that includes Wagner, they try to evade the air force as they're eventually saved by the escaped Magneto and his henchwoman Mystique (Rebecca Romijn). Realizing what Stryker is up to, the X-Men realize they have to work with Magneto and Mystique in order to stop Stryker while Logan learns about what happened to him years ago in Stryker's hands. With the X-Men retrieving the students that were captured and trying to stop Stryker, one of them makes the ultimate sacrifice.

While the plot formula is similar to the likes of Spider-Man and other comic book stories, what sets X-Men apart is the fact that the X-Men are reluctant superheroes and in the second one, their reluctance is challenged more than ever. The story in the second one is far more superior, especially with the storyline of Wolverine trying to find his past that is the key story that moves the story. It allows that character to be more fragile as he yearns for the company of the X-Men and students that gives him a reason to fight. There's also more development in the characters along with themes of faith that is carried by Wagner who develops a relationship based on faith with Storm. The credit really should go to director Bryan Singer for tightening up the film's story and his eye-wielding direction that is crafty with fast camera angles and intense action and dramatic moments.

With cinematographer Thomas Newton Siegel, the film has this amazing, cold look in many of the scenes while its complemented with the work of production designer Guy H. Dyas, who helps brings an eerie, bleak look in many of the film's dark scenes in the Alkali Lake sequences. Helping with the film's spectacular visuals are the visual effects from supervisor Michael Fink who helps bring in intense, wondrous effects, notably for the Nightcrawler and Mystique characters who often do a lot of teleporting or in Mystique's case, change into other characters. With a film score by John Ottman, who also serves as an editor, the film plays up to what a comic-book action movie should be in style and substance as the score just helps move with the story and scenes.

Then you have the film's wonderful ensemble cast that includes some wonderful small performances from Bruce Davison, Cotter Smith, and Daniel Cudmore as Colossus who shines in the school raid scene with his powers while Ty Olsson stands out in his role as Magneto's prison guard Laurio is excellent, especially in a scene that involves him making with Rebecca Romijn-Stamos. Though Anna Paquin had a bigger role as Rogue in the first film, her role is cut down a bit though Rogue in this film seems a bit more comfortable despite her powers while she has nice scenes with Shawn Ashmore's Iceman, who really gets more time than the first since he's having trouble dealing with being a mutant while is the only person who uses his powers for good. Aaron Stanford is a bit more of the conflicted character as Pyro who seems cocky for his fiery power and when he meets with Magneto, you see how easily he can be seduced with power.

Rebecca Romijn does an excellent job as Mystique by just projecting a lot of movement and spark into her performance while Kelly Hu is excellent as the villainous Yuriko with her own powers despite rarely having any dialogue when she uses actions rather than words, notably in her fight scene with Wolverine. James Marsden is excellent in his role, despite not being scene for an hour in the film, as the more disciplined Cyclops who still has some tension with Wolverine, even for the affections of Dr. Jean Grey. Famke Janssen is really amazing in her more difficult role as Grey since she has trouble with her telepathy and her feelings over Wolverine while she becomes more and more reluctant about her own powers. Halle Berry meanwhile, is very good in her performance as Storm, especially by getting rid of a classy accent in the first film, where she has really wonderful scenes with Alan Cumming's Nightcrawler. Cumming is a notably standout as he is thought of a villain at first but then he comes out as a character of morality and goodwill, including in the jet crash scene where he risks his own life to save someone. Cumming brought a depth and conscious that is rarely seen in an action film.

Then you have four of the film's greatest performances starting off with the always-amazing Brian Cox as William Stryker. Cox brings a demeaning charm and intelligence to a villain who isn't just hell bent on destroying mutants but in his scenes with Hugh Jackman's Wolverine, we see how far he'll go to destroy Wolverine's mind. Cox is devious and just a great villain who isn't a stereotypical villain but one that is enjoyable and hateful at the same time. Ian McKellan is another enjoyable villain but in X2, he kind of plays a good guy for a bit since he knows that mutants are in trouble and wants to help battle Stryker despite his own intentions for humans. McKellan brings a sly wit and charisma that is seductive even though he's a villain but one that is smart and cares for his group of people.

Patrick Stewart is also amazing in his classy performance as Professor X as he tries to find clues to the president's assassination attempt while trying not to be manipulated by Stryker's methods as he himself, becomes reluctant in trying to help Wolverine. Hugh Jackman is the easily the film's star and his performance in X2 outdoes the first as he displays more dramatic textures with a balance of action. Jackman brings humanity to Wolverine who tries to find clues to his past and when he does, we see how anguished and troubled he's become where he is forced to accept the role he will take part in.

X2: X-Men United is a fantastic film from Bryan Singer and definitely the best film of the X-Men franchise so far. Featuring a great ensemble cast and amazing technical work, it's a film that surpasses the first film in terms of a stronger story and a broader vision. Fans of the franchise will no doubt see this as the best of the film as it has more action and more engaging characters for them to relate to. In the end, X2: X-Men United is a fantastic film from Bryan Singer.

Bryan Singer Films: (The Usual Suspects) - (Apt. Pupil) - X-Men - (Superman Returns) - (Valkyrie) - (Jack the Giant Slayer) - X-Men: Days of Future Past - X-Men Apocalypse - (Bohemian Rhapsody)

X-Men Films: X-Men III: The Last Stand - X-Men Origins: Wolverine - X-Men: First Class - The Wolverine - Logan (2017 film) - Deadpool 2 – (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) - (New Mutants)

© thevoid99 2011

X-Men

Originally Written and Posted at Epinions.com on 5/19/06 w/ Extensive Revisions.

The comic book from Marvel about a group of mutants who become superheroes known as X-Men arrived to the comic book world from the mind of Marvel's comic book main man Stan Lee (who also created Spider-Man) and Jack Kirby in 1963. The X-Men comic book became very popular among its fans with its array of characters in a battle between good and bad mutants over their survival as the good are known as X-Men who believe that humans and mutants can work together while running a school teaching young mutants. Throughout the years, the comic's popularity spawned cartoons and comic book spin-offs where finally in 2000, a movie about the X-Men was finally ready to be made.

To create the first X-Men film, producers and Stan Lee turned to screenwriter David Hayter to write a script with additional help from fan and Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. For their choice to direct the film, the turned to Bryan Singer who already created some buzz with his debut feature, 1995's The Usual Suspects and 1998's Apt Pupil which starred Ian McKellen. In the first X-Men movie, the plot revolves around a mutant named Magneto and his hatred for humans as he is in conflict with former friend named Charles Xavier. In the middle of this conflict, a young girl named Marie who has runaway from home and found refuge in a mysterious mutant named Logan (aka Wolverine) where they find themselves in the middle of a war. With a cast that included McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen, Hugh Jackman, Anna Paquin, James Marsden, Ray Park, Tyler Mane, Rebecca Romijn, Bruce Davison, and Shawn Ashmore. The X-Men movie is a fun, entertaining film that is a bit faithful to the comic book.

Fear emerges with humans over the growth of mutant population as Dr. Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) tries to assure the U.S. government that mutants are a threat much to the chagrin of Senator Robert Kelly (Bruce Davison). One mutant who doesn't like humans is Erik Leshnsherr/Magneto (Ian McKellan) who used to be a friend of Grey's mentor Charles Xavier/Professor X (Patrick Stewart). Meanwhile, a young girl named Marie/Rogue (Anna Paquin) has ran away from home after accidentally kissing a boy that drains his powers where she ends up in Alaska meeting a strange man named Logan/Wolverine (Hugh Jackman). Logan fights humans for a living as an attempted attack has him taking Marie with her only to be attacked by huge mutant beast named Sabretooth (Tyler Mane) as they're saved by a couple of mutants named Scott Summers/Cyclops (James Marden) and Ororo Munroe/Storm (Halle Berry).

Logan and Marie arrive at Xavier's school for young mutants where Logan meets Jean who is revealed to be telepathic along with the more powerful yet wheelchair-bound Xavier who offers to help Logan recover lost memories. Meanwhile, Magneto makes plans of his own with his frog-like mutant Toad (Ray Park), Sabretooth, and the ever-changing Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) as she abducts Senator Kelly for an experiment. Back at Xavier's school, Logan learns about Marie's powers after a nightmare he has where she leaves as Xavier finds her through his Cerebro machine where Logan tries to convince her to go back to Xavier's as they're attacked by Magneto and his henchman with Scott and Ororo trying to help Logan.

Realizing what Magneto wants all along as well as information from an ill Senator Kelly, Xavier tries to figure out what Magneto is up to only to be poisoned by a trap set up by Mystique. With Jean using Cerebro to find Magneto's henchman, Logan teams up with the X-Men to battle Magneto and his team.

While the film does provide a lot of entertainment in terms of action, humor, and drama, it also carries some flaws. While David Hayter's script, that also featured work from Tom DeSanto and Singer, has problems in weaving out the development of some of the characters while hashing out lines that end up being uninspiring at times. Director Bryan Singer does manage to bring in a film that keeps the audience interested. Despite the flaws in its plot and presentation, Singer does create moments where everything does excite the audiences including the battle between the X-Men and Magneto's Brotherhood where it reveals the reluctance of the X-Men in playing the superhero character. They're not perfect yet they all have cool powers and wanting to do the right thing. While Singer does excel in telling the story, he still couldn't develop some of the characters due to the script's shortcomings. While there's full development from Logan, Magneto, Xavier, Jean Grey, and on a lesser extent, Rogue. The rest though are played as second fiddle where from the standpoint of purists, it's pretty upsetting despite the fact that they have some great moments.

Helping Singer with the visual department is cinematographer Newton Thomas Siegel for bringing some wonderful lighting, especially with the blue look for the film's early scenes in Alaska as well as the some of the battle for the atmosphere of the film's look. Production designer John Myhre and art directors Paul D. Austerberry and Tamara Deverell also do great work in creating the metallic look of the underground part of the school. The costumes by Louise Mingenbach also does great work in creating the costumes including the leather suits for the X-Men team. Visual effects supervisors Michael L. Fink and Theresa Ellis do great work in creating the film's visual effects. Steve Boeddeker also does great work on the sound design while editors Steven Rosenblum, Kevin Stitt, and John Wright do great work in capturing the action and intensity of the film. The film's music also plays to the intensity from the late Michael Kamen with his rich, bombast orchestral score with additional work from Matthew Ferraro and Klaus Badelt.

Finally, there's the film's cast where in many ways, it's just a starting point. While Tyler Mane is pretty cool as Sabretooth and Ray Park is funny as Toad, neither actor really have much to work with in their performances. Even then-newcomer Shawn Ashmore's part as Bobby Drake/Iceman doesn't have much but since it's a minor character, Ashmore got to bring a lot of charm where his role was expanded to greater use in the next feature. Rebecca Romijn brings a lot of interesting qualities and a unique presence to her role as Mystique with her wonderfully, curvy body while proving to be a real menace in an excellent performance. Bruce Davidson is great as Senator Kelly whose conservative, cynical take on mutants takes on a great development when he becomes mutated as he learns about their plight. James Marsden is fine in the role of Scott Summers though the subplot about his relationship with Jean Grey is weak as Marsden acts a bit whiny while his scenes with Hugh Jackman are filled with great tension and humor.

Halle Berry is a fine actress in her own right but whenever she’s not doing cool powers or any kind of fighting, her dramatic approach doesn't seem to work, especially with a very bad African accent. It seems throughout some of those moments, Berry seems uncomfortable in that accent where it really suffers in her performance. Anna Paquin also suffers from working with accent as she employs a Southern accent that doesn't help matters, even in some intense dramatic moments despite some nice chemistry with Hugh Jackman. Though Paquin is a very important character, it's pretty badly written in the way she's emphasized, especially among comic books purists who see Rogue as something much stronger. Famke Janssen is the best female performance of the entire cast as she reveals her own insecurities with the potential of her powers and her reluctance to be a field leader as Janssen has wonderful scenes with Stewart and Jackman.

Ian McKellen gives a great performance in the role of Magneto as a villain whose hatred against humans is understandable while his desire to rid of them is good enough to even kind of root for him. McKellen brings a complexity and superiority to his performance that stands out in every way. Patrick Stewart is also great in another complex, superior role as McKellen's opposite, Professor X. Though Stewart is more understated and optimistic, he brings a calmness and almost mentor-like quality to his role as he becomes the one person who can calm the often aggressive Wolverine. The film's real breakout performance is then-newcomer Hugh Jackman. The Australian actor brings a lot of qualities that makes the Wolverine character cool as hell. Jackman brings a wonderfully brooding yet aggressive approach to the character of Wolverine along with a sensitivity and humor to the role as he has great chemistry with his cast. In many ways, the film really belongs to Hugh Jackman.

X-Men is a very good from Bryan Singer that does create an engaging origin story despite some flaws in the script. While comic books will enjoy seeing these characters come to life including Wolverine. The film also serves as a real breakthrough for then-newcomer Hugh Jackman who makes Wolverine into his own as he's supported by a great supporting cast including Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan. In the end, X-Men is a fun, entertaining film from Bryan Singer and company.

Bryan Singer Films: (The Usual Suspects) - (Apt Pupil) - X2: X-Men United - (Superman Returns) - (Valkyrie)

X-Men Films: X-Men III: The Last Stand - X-Men Origins: Wolverine - X-Men: First Class - The Wolverine - X-Men: Apocalypse - Logan (2017 film) - Deadpool 2 – (X-Men: Dark Phoenix) - (New Mutants)

© thevoid99 2011