X-Men: The Last Stand

[WalkOn]

Well, X-Men: The Last Stand opens on May 26, 2006 so I thought I would make a thread for it. Anyone out there anticipating the closing of the current X-Men trilogy?

Just some general information on the film. X-Men 3 was supposed to be directed by Bryan Singer who directed the previous installments, but there was a fallout and Singer opted to direct Superman Returns leaving X-Men 3 without a director. Fox looked for a director and found one by the name of Michael Vaughn. Unfortunately, he couldn't take the pressure of such a high profile film and he left the production. Finally, Fox/Marvel signed Brett Ratner (The Family Man, Red Dragon, Rush Hour 1 & 2) to direct X-Men 3. Brett Ratner was orginally supposed to direct Superman Returns but that fell through. He also was in the short list to direct the first X-Men.

Once Ratner was brought on board things finally got underway and filming started in August of 2005. Unfortunately, there has been some negative buzz about the film considering the rocky road it had in pre-production. But that has been somewhat put to rest when filming started and the first teaser trailer was released to theaters.

The teaser trailer can be viewed here: http://www.apple.com/trailers/fox/x3/

The film looks to be bigger and more epic than both X-Men and X2. Considering this is a last stand and the conclusion to the current trilogy there may be some casualties with regards to certain characters. But, hopefully, the film will show this in a realistic manner.

From what has been said about the film. The story seems to be about a mutant "cure" mixed in with the Phoenix Saga. If anyone doesn't know what the Phoenix saga consist of go here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phoenix_Saga

The cure storyline is from the current Astonishing X-Men comic run. It is a cure made by the government to allow mutants to become normal. It is not known yet if the cure will become the legacy virus and actually harm the mutants instead of curing them. But there are some rumor's it may end up that way.

The Danger room will finally make an appearance in this film and the Sentinels might as well (according to Wizard magazine). What is good about the current director is that he is an X-Men fan and has implemented some classic comic book shots into the film. Such as the fastball special which can be seen in the trailer.

The new characters in the film are Beast, Angel and Juggernaut. Colossus also will get an increased role as well as Shadowcat (Kitty Pride - The girl who can run through walls).

If anyone wants anymore info you can always check out www.superherohype.com ; www.xmenfilms.net ; or www.thexverse.com

 

[awesome liver]

this has fantastic four written all over it.

brett ratner has never (ever) made a good movie. he has mediocrity written all over him. i tried to like his films and wanted to love red dragon but he wasted so many potentially great moments in that film. the guy in the flaming wheel chair was a nice touch but the way he composes his shots is laughable. he doesn't possess the eye for being an artist. going by past track record, he's good at wasting money -- his movies could be made for half what they cost. let's take rush hour for example -- $20 million to christ tucker for the sequel.

any fan of x-men should be outraged that the script is half baked.

i am done.

 

[WalkOn]

this has fantastic four written all over it.

brett ratner has never (ever) made a good movie. he has mediocrity written all over him. i tried to like his films and wanted to love red dragon but he wasted so many potentially great moments in that film. the guy in the flaming wheel chair was a nice touch but the way he composes his shots is laughable. he doesn't possess the eye for being an artist. going by past track record, he's good at wasting money -- his movies could be made for half what they cost. let's take rush hour for example -- $20 million to christ tucker for the sequel.

any fan of x-men should be outraged that the script is half baked.

i am done.

Ratner is not a bad director. He has had very good films The Family Man, Red Dragon and some good popcorn films Rush Hour 1 & 2. He hasn't really had the chance to break out and show his artistic abilities. Tucker got around 5 million for the first Rush Hour film. It was a huge success so of course they are going to offer him more money for a sequel. It happens all the time in hollywood. Cameron Diaz got 20 million for Charlies Angel 2. It happens.

I like how you say the script is half baked yet the movie isn't even out yet. You must have read the script then huh? Or did you read some old review of a rough draft of the shooting script?

Like I said, don't put to much stock into rumor's from a half baked site such as Ain't it Cool News. I can tell that is where you got your info from about the script.

 

[awesome liver]

ratner is a bad director. he had every chance to make red dragon a great movie with his supposed artistic vision. that was his movie to shine and he fell on his face miserably. x3 is not his property. it's the film that's handed to him because he was "available." it's basically being chosen last to play baseball on the playground.

 

[WalkOn]

ratner is a bad director. he had every chance to make red dragon a great movie with his supposed artistic vision. that was his movie to shine and he fell on his face miserably. x3 is not his property. it's the film that's handed to him because he was "available." it's basically being chosen last to play baseball on the playground.

I don't see how he fell flat on his face with Red Dragon. It was a better film than Hannibal was. His directing style for Red Dragon was Jonathan Demme-lite. He tried to evoke the same tone that Demme pulled off for Silence of the Lambs. Red Dragon was not a bad film and I thought Ratner did well by it.

Even though Ratner was a last minute replacement, he could still make a great film. He's a comic book fan and I think he will really try to make this his own and really try to hit it out of the park.

Have an open mind dude.

 

[awesome liver]

hannibal was an awesome film -- most people didn't seem to grasp that it was a comedy. it was a macrabe comedy. those aren't made often in this day and age. it was also a beautifully shot film. then again, it was a film rooted in classicism. ratner's was a saturday matinee special. demme and ratner should never be mentioned in the same breath. demme got good performances from everyone in his movie. ratner didn't; edward norton finally shows up at the end of the film with some emotion.

you can have an open mind but after being burnt multiple times by the same director, you start to get the paul w.s. anderson syndrome.

 

[WalkOn]

hannibal was an awesome film -- most people didn't seem to grasp that it was a comedy. it was a macrabe comedy. those aren't made often in this day and age. it was also a beautifully shot film. then again, it was a film rooted in classicism. ratner's was a saturday matinee special. demme and ratner should never be mentioned in the same breath. demme got good performances from everyone in his movie. ratner didn't; edward norton finally shows up at the end of the film with some emotion.

you can have an open mind but after being burnt multiple times by the same director, you start to get the paul w.s. anderson syndrome.

I agree that Hannibal was a beautifully shot film. In my opinion it was a great film. I also thought Red Dragon was a good/great film due to Ratner trying to capture what Demme did with Silence of the Lambs.

But remember that Ratner doesn't write the films he shoots. He directs them. If you have a problem story wise then it is because of the writers not the director.

 

[awesome liver]

I agree that Hannibal was a beautifully shot film. In my opinion it was a great film. I also thought Red Dragon was a good/great film due to Ratner trying to capture what Demme did with Silence of the Lambs.

But remember that Ratner doesn't write the films he shoots. He directs them. If you have a problem story wise then it is because of the writers not the director.

there's a difference between making a great film and then ruining a potentially great film. he ruined red dragon despite it being well written. the dialogue and the film were fine but it was mediocre that made it bad. no sense of style or flaire for what could have been and that is entirely the director's fault. the script isn't the final movie -- the editing is where the final movie is. but when the editor has crap to work with, they can only do so much.

 

[WalkOn]

there's a difference between making a great film and then ruining a potentially great film. he ruined red dragon despite it being well written. the dialogue and the film were fine but it was mediocre that made it bad. no sense of style or flaire for what could have been and that is entirely the director's fault. the script isn't the final movie -- the editing is where the final movie is. but when the editor has crap to work with, they can only do so much.

It's all a matter of opinion. Red Dragon was a good and solid film. It wasn't great, but it was good. The sense of style and flair was absent because Ratner was trying to emulate Demme. While it was a good idea it came out more bland than anything. But it did not hinder the overall film.

 

[awesome liver]

It's all a matter of opinion. Red Dragon was a good and solid film. It wasn't great, but it was good. The sense of style and flair was absent because Ratner was trying to emulate Demme. While it was a good idea it came out more bland than anything. But it did not hinder the overall film.

yes, that must be why the film was bland. he has never shown a flair for the visual. demme's style of directing is subtle and for performers. demme also had a smaller budget.

ratner wasn't trying to do anything except make a movie as he's always known to make them -- boring.

even you acknowledge it was a mediocre film. to tell someone their movie was "good" is vastly different from telling them it was great.

 

[WalkOn]

Mediocre and good are not the same. There are many "good" films out there and very few great films. I acknowledge that Red Dragon was a good movie. Your disdain for Ratner is unfounded. I understand if we were talking about Uwe Boll here but we are talking about a director who while lacking visual flair in some films is capable of producing an enjoyable film.

 

[awesome liver]

why are you defending him? you should be outraged he's behind the camera. even you admit he's not a great director. at least i'm going by his track record and not by the potential of a movie. i would be outraged even if this were any other movie.

 

[WalkOn]

He is a good and capable director. Not every director has to be great. I am defending him because unlike you I have enjoyed some of his movies. The Family Man I think is his best film and to me is a thought provoking and wonderful film. He shot that film beautifully and made a great film.

What I like about him is the fact that he respects Brian Singer and what he did for the X-Men franchise. He also respects the source material and is trying to make the best X-Men film he can make. He is adding little touches from the comics such as the Fastball special and other tidbits for the fans. I am defending him because he deserves a chance just like Matthew Vaughn deserved a chance but unfortunately couldn't handle the pressure. I think it's admirable that Ratner took on a project that had a rocky pre-production and took the challenge head on. I think this film will be his breakout film and change the minds of the people who think he is a hack. This will be his baby, his creation.

Just because you don't like his track record doesn't mean his track record is bad. He has had successful films. I think the hate for Ratner is uncalled for. He deserves a chance to prove himself with X3.

 

[awesome liver]

he has about as much success and talent as paul w.s. anderson. he keeps getting jobs and no one can explain why.

 

[WalkOn]

he has about as much success and talent as paul w.s. anderson. he keeps getting jobs and no one can explain why.

That's all a matter of opinion. Paul W.S. Anderson is a real example of a hack. Ratner's films have been way more successful than Anderson's. Plus, Ratner is a better director than Anderson.

But please, let's leave this discussion alone. I made this thread for those who may want some information about X-Men 3 and/or are anticipating it.

 

[Redguard]

Hey! You guys stop hogging the conversation! LOL

Did you guys see the pic of ArchAngel? His wingspan is amazing.

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0376994/spread.jpg

 

[Buckeye]

Could I interrupt this directorial debate for a moment to ask a question about X3? Are all of the main characters returning? Rogue, Wolverine, Storm, etc? Most importantly, is Halle Berry returning?

 

[WalkOn]

Hey! You guys stop hogging the conversation! LOL

Did you guys see the pic of ArchAngel? His wingspan is amazing.

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0376994/spread.jpg

Dude, I so saw that pic...it's awesome. It's in the trailer too. What I like about it is that they didn't make his wings "dirty" looking. They are crisp white which is what they should be. Angel is supposed to be angelic so the white wings look sweet. Like, in other films with angels in them they always make the wings grayish, so it's good they kept them "clean" looking. Hehe.

I'm can't wait to see him fly! That will look sweet.

Could I interrupt this directorial debate for a moment to ask a question about X3? Are all of the main characters returning? Rogue, Wolverine, Storm, etc? Most importantly, is Halle Berry returning?

Sorry about the debate, it's over now. Yes, all the cast is back including Halle Berry. Halle Berry looks to have a somewhat increased role and seems to have more to do in this film, i.e. flying, fighting, etc.

 

[Redguard]

Could I interrupt this directorial debate for a moment to ask a question about X3? Are all of the main characters returning? Rogue, Wolverine, Storm, etc? Most importantly, is Halle Berry returning?

You can see a cast listing (in pictures) here:

http://www.imdb.com/gallery/ss/0376994

 

[InnerPhyre]

It's going to be terrible, which is a crying shame. Stupid studio rushed the whole thing rather than waiting to make it a truly great movie. Juggernaut's muscle suit looks utterly ridiculous. They also have taken a "hey let's throw in every character we possibly can" angle which is always a recipe for disaster. I love the other 2 movies. I want this to be great. But let's be realistic. Things do not bode well.