So much like my other fellow geeks, I just got done watching the new trailer for “X3” and all I can say is “WOW”. In just under 90sec I managed to be both pleased and disappointed in the scenes we were shown. Again, much like everyone else I’ve picked out my list of best/worst aspects I’ve seen so far:
So much like my other fellow geeks, I just got done watching the new trailer for “X3” and all I can say is “WOW”. In just under 90sec I managed to be both pleased and disappointed in the scenes we were shown. Again, much like everyone else I’ve picked out my list of best/worst aspects I’ve seen so far:
The good:
Wolverine - Hugh Jackman’s back as everyone’s favorite Adamantium laced Canadian, ‘nuff said.
Cyclops - Although he hasn’t really done much in 2 movies, I’m glad they got James Marsden back to play “Cyke”...just seems to make things flow better don’t you think?
Colossus - I thought his VERY BRIEF appearance in “X2” was one of the best parts of the film, and for awhile there I thought he was going to get the axe from this film so needless to say I was THRILLED to see Colossus walking tall in the opening scenes of the trailer.
The Beast - Now I’ll admit, when I first read the news that Fraiser himself, Kelsey Grammer was going to be playing Dr. Hank McCoy a.k.a “Beast” I was a bit reluctant to picture him in the role. The only thing I could see Grammer doing was providing the voice for someone else in a suit. After seeing the first released pics earlier this week I still wasn’t convinced Grammer was the man for the job...now after seeing the trailer I can admit I was wrong...sort of.
Professor X - Patrick Stewart was born to play this role, much like Wolverine...’nuff said.
The Phoenix - The storyline most of us have been waiting for. After the events in X2 where Jeanie was seemingly killed saving the rest of the X-Men, it looks like she’s risen much like a....well, phoenix. I doubt we’ll see any intergalactic battles, but if the scene with her busting open the door is any indication, then we’re in for a treat.
Fastball special - Ok this is where I REALLY “geeked” out. Wolverine and Colossus are probably my 2 favorite X-Men, and I always loved when they’d be in a fight together (usually against a ton of enemies), and Colossus would hurl Wolverine at a group of people...I mean, he’s THROWING WOLVERINE! it’s just too cool for words. Needless to say when I saw this at the end of the trailer I sat back with an enormous grin and thought “ok now THAT’S worth the price of admission right there”...anyone who’s like me has been dying to see that move preformed in the films and it looks like Ratner was paying attention.
The “no holds barred” feel - It’s been long rumored that is would be the final X-Men movie in the series, and it looks like those rumors are all but confirmed now. From the look of the trailer it looks like they are going all out with this film, and prepping it for the big finale. From the looks of the trailer it appears as if Magneto has gained a HUGE following with Juggernaut, Pyro, Mystique, and even Jean Grey/Phoenix among his ranks. It also looks as if someone VERY important will die at by the end of this film. Judging by the look of the ceremony and all those in attendance I think I know who, but then again I could be completely wrong....we’ll see.
The Bad:
The Beast - As I said before, I’m still not sure if Kelsey Grammer is the only one that could play the part of Hank McCoy, but he did surpass any expectations I have. Actually, my problem isn’t with Grammer as Beast, it’s with the overall appearance of The Beast. When I first say Beast, my initial reaction was “well at least they didn’t go with the cat-like appearance” (which always makes me think the X-Men found him at a pet shop) but I still wasn’t 100% pleased (as if it matters) by the way he looks. I think my main gripe is that Beast appears “too pretty” like his hair was professionally done to put that extra little “wave” in it. I have no doubt that Beast’s look will grow on me as the film gets closer to opening, but right now it’s one of those “could’ve done better, could’ve done worse” feelings.
Juggernaut - Oh man am I going to have a field day with this one. Originally when the rumors started about who the new “X3” baddie would be I immediately thought of my 2 favorite villains from the books...Juggernaut and Omega Red. Now in all fairness, Omega Red is more of a Wolverine baddie, but he’s tangled with the entire X-group on several occasions, so it’s not COMPLETELY out of the question. The Juggernaut on the other hand is more of a true X-Men villain so I guess he would be more fitting...not to mention the character is totally bad ass. Here we’ve got a guy who although not a mutant himself, is related to one of (if not THE) most powerful mutants on Earth. He grows up with this deep resentment for Xavier, and often subjects Xavier to brutal and humiliating abuse in an attempt to cover the fact that he (Cain) himself was being abused by his own Father. Now I’m sure the film will portray him differently, and probably do something lame like make him a mutant, but in the books Cain Marko discovers the gem of Cyttorak while both he and Xavier are in the U.S. Military stationed in Asia. Once Cain removes the gem from the temples Idol, he reads the inscription “Whosoever touches this gem shall possess the power of the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak. Henceforth, you who read these words shall become forevermore a human juggernaut” and is transformed into the form we know him now.
As the story goes, once Cain has this power he uses it to try and kill Xavier time and time again. Despite being stopped by the X-Men (and countless other Marvel heroes), Juggernaut’s endless quest to rid himself of Xavier continues. The thing that has always drawn me to the character is that here you’ve got this unstoppable being, with endless amounts of power who can be stopped dead in his tracks once his helmet is removed...that is IF you can remove it. I’ve always liked the simplicity to Juggernauts Achilles’ heel....his mind. No matter how physically powerful he is, once his helmet is off, all the power in the world can’t stop him from mental attacks. So stopping him sounds pretty simple huh? just knock off his helmet and he’s fair game right? WRONG. Juggernauts helmet (although ridiculous in appearance) is practical because usually it is either “locked” in place by some latches, or otherwise connected to his costume which makes it a task to remove it. Where the movie goes wrong is that Juggernaut’s helmet appears to be a giant sized version of either Magneto’s helmet, or even of Cerebro....where are the locks to keep it in place? Ok putting his size aside for a second (come on, they could’ve made him at least A LITTLE bigger) his overall look is just ridiculous. I knew we weren’t going to get the look from the comics, but at least something that didn’t look like a fetish wear bra and some pants (I mean where’s his whip?). His helmet sucks because it looks like it could just be knocked off, and his “costume” is completely unoriginal and uncreative if you ask me (and even if you don’t).
The only shred of hope I hold out for this version, is that they make him as unstoppable, and as powerful as he is in the books. If at least that aspect is maintained, I could probably overlook everything else....except for the helmet. Another reason I am looking forward to this character, is that it leaves the potential for a Juggernaut/Colossus showdown which COULD be just about one of the coolest fights in cinematic history. Right now I give the character a big thumbs down because he looks like he’d fit better in the new He-Man movie (Ram Man anyone) than in an X-Men movie....we’ll see how it turns out though, again I could be TOTALLY wrong.
The Costumes - I’ve never been a fan of the costumes used in these movies. To me they seem to “stiff” and restricting. Personally I would have gone with the “New X-Men” or even “Ultimate X-Men” looks, especially for Wolverine...give him a white tank top, a leather jacket with some X’s on it, and some pants and he’s good to go. Much like my feeling with Beast, it’s one of those “could’ve done better, could’ve done worse” scenarios.
Where’s Sabertooth? - They blew it with the whole Wolverine/Sabertooth showdown. Man was I disappointed when all they did was fight for 30sec in the first one. This is one of the showdowns comic fans have been waiting for. Anyone read the books where they’re fighting and ripping the sh*t out of each other? there’s blood and organs everywhere and neither of them show ANY signs of stopping...that’s what I’m talking about. What we got was them scratching each other, and Cyclops blasting Sabertooth and seemingly “killing him”...hello! healing factor anyone? they’d BETTER make up for it in the rumored “Wolverine” spin off movie because that first meeting was crap.
Now, I’d say 8 positives over 4 negatives is a far trade wouldn’t you? check out the trailer again and see if you might possibly agree with anything I’m saying, or you might think I’m a complete idiot and I have no idea of what I’m talking about...either one is cool with me.