The third outing of the Marvel Comics series is a li'l bit on the Black Hand Side. It finds the government pushing a "cure" for the Mutant gene that to some is more like a Final Solution; the Mutant Brotherhood under WWII Holocaust survivor Magneto ain't havin' it! Halle Berry takes a more central role as Storm, the deputy leader of Prof. Xavier's X-Men as the Mother of All Battles commences...
The third outing of the Marvel Comics series is a li'l bit on the Black Hand Side. It finds the government pushing a "cure" for the Mutant gene that to some is more like a Final Solution; the Mutant Brotherhood under Holocaust survivor Magneto ain't havin' it! Halle Berry takes a more central role as Storm, the deputy leader of Prof. Xavier's X-Men as the Mother of All Battles commences... "X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND"
by Kevin J. Walker, Film Critic  Black Web Portal Wire Releases Contact The Word NetPaper
"I don't answer to my Slave Name anymore." - Mystique, once called Raven Darkholm to her U.S. government interrogator
Sci Fi Brothas and Sistahs are making their presence felt in big budget films. In the latest and third X-Men venture "The Last Stand" Halle Berry gets her wish and flies; Genocide of a class of people as government policy is devised and discussed; and the Holocaust, the Illegal Immigration problem, and African American Slave Revolts are used as templates for the confrontation of Humans and Homo superior. When I heard Halle Berry as Storm was displeased at her character being screen dressing and might not be returning for the second sequel I wasn't thrown by it. Even in the comic book she was not one of my favourite characters. Control the weather? Big deal. All she did in the movies was stand around and talk. But the lightening bolts she can shoot are cool, and her eyes go all white to match her hair, which is given a new 'do here. Also she lost that weird Eastern European accent from the first film, although she's supposed to be from the Caribbean. In "The Last Stand" she now talks like a regular suburban girl, or like her native Ohio. "I felt like a real part of the movie this time" she said in an interview for the Extra TV magazine in France after the Cannes film festival. "Storm can do all the things she does in the comic book," gushed the onetime Milwaukeean. We won't be seeing her in these parts now that she and onetime hubby Eric Benet are divorced. When they went to the movies they didn't go to the fancy theatres, they sat with everybody else, even in theatres I wouldn't go to! She liked shopping the malls, too from what I hear. Halle sightings were numerous back then. Its not that we don't have some celebrities here. I mean, Coo Coo Cal made "My Projects about his experiences at Westlawn. But I digress. Halle Berry is really laid back, and a regular person with a well-developed sense of humour, as seen in her appearances to pick up her Harvard Hasty Pudding award. (She had to stand at a blackboard and write "I will not make Catwoman 2" five times).
 [Storm battles Callisto in X-Men 3]
Bill Duke is Trask, a government operative who put into motion the plan to convert - forcibly if need be - the millions of mutants who roam free. Duke has done more directing than acting of late, although he had memorable roles in two Arnold Schwarzenegger movies, "Commando and "Predator." Almost alone among mainstream movies the X-Men saga has escaped the dreaded Sequelitis affliction with strong storylines and identifiable characters. Instead of a weak follow-up to cash in, the Marvel movies division and their gifted writers have continually upped the ante, and this time out they threw down mightily. They also weren't afraid to kill off a few people here and there. Actually lots of people. There is lots of blood spilt, both Mutant and human. This is a rough film, but mostly bloodless. Still there are many deaths, and when cars are compacted into disks and cubes with screaming passengers inside you don't have to see the squishiness, or the deep red running out from over the floorboards.
 [There is lots of screen mayhem in "X-Men 3: The Last Stand" as Mutants battle Humans and each other for planetary supremacy ]
Having strong directors who know what people want helps. The first two were helmed by Bryan Singer who wasn't at all a comic book fan of the Marvel strip. He was known for the thrilling and bloody crime drama "The Usual Suspects." Brett Ratner from the "Rush Hour" movies handles things this time. Action adventure movie makers discovered they could get women to come buy by focusing on relationships. Rogue has the ability to temporarily draw out the powers of other mutants, and if she holds on, she can kill anyone. When she hears there is a cure for Mutancy she's all for it, and is packing her bags to leave the mansion and stand in the long lines at the treatment centers. "All I want is to be able to touch someone, to hug them and give them a kiss..." And that someone is Bobby the Iceman. But Kitty Pryde, or The Girl Who Walks Through Walls, has her own designs. She's grown up a bit, and has some impressive scenes. I just wish Colossus did too.  [Iceman, Kitty Pryde and Storm in the lead
must work as a team to defeat Magneto's
Brotherhood of mutants]
What did super beings do for powers before Quantum Physics? Pryde - they'll make up a name for her someday, its like a rule - can "phase through matter,", and by touch can affect others the same way. I also like the consistency of the X-Men universe. Most Mutants have increased mind reading ability; some can pass on their attributes by holding onto someone, as Colossus does to protect another from flying debris. Singer brought the same Male Stuff bravado and conflict to the X-Men movies, particularly through the rivals for Jean Grey's affection. Scott's Cyclops is her boyfriend and Wolverine, or Logan the Canadian, was the new Bad Boy and has been the centerpiece of the series. Hugh Jackman the current stage darling has played Wolverine in all three movies. Thrown into a leadership role against his natural wandering nature, the indestructible, instant healing Wolverine becomes an elder big brother to the School for Gifted youngsters, partnering with the sexless Storm in helping run the school.
 [Hugh Jackman's Wolverine with Storm
get ready for action on a supposedly quiet
and peaceful subdivision]
His origins were explained in the second film, and where he got his skeleton and retractable claws made of the indestructible alloy Adamantium. And his amnesia. I bought that DVD, which featured the attack on the White House and the drawing of first blood by the increasingly reactionary humans led by Brian Cox's agents when they attacked Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters. This was the crucial middle part of the nearly seamless series leading up to this colossal throw-down and battle royal where it's the military with plastic weaponry going against Magneto's Brotherhood of Mutants, with the depleted ranks of the X-Men having to choose which side they're going to be on, the scheming, discriminatory and fearful Humans, or the Brotherhood? Indeed, many have to make their choice. TVs Kelsey ("Frasier") Grammar is Dr. Hank McCoy, aka the blue-haired and brainy Beast, and in the comics he was one of the five original X-Men. Here he is a member of the president's cabinet, and the secretary of the department of Mutant affairs. Hank McCoy is trying to work from within the system, but there comes a point where he tells the president as he's resigning that decisions are being made without his input, such as weaponising the Mutant Cure into pistols and aerosols, and where participation is no longer going to be "voluntary." A Final Solution for the mutant problem is being implemented. "In a time like this, I have to be with my people" McCoy tells the President. This is like when Wisconsinite Tony Shalhoub of Green Bay (cable TVs "Monk") an Arab American FBI agent assigned with Denzel Washington in "Under Seige" elects to stay behind the barbed wire in the stadium prison when his cop friends come to get him out. All Middle Eastern men in the city were rounded up by Bruce Willis' occupying Marine general after terrorist attacks on New York, and he was swept up with them. "Tell them I won't be their 'Sand Nigger' anymore. This is where I belong, here with them..." Shalhoub says, as he backs away from the fence, and is lost in the shuffling crowd of detainees.  [ Storm played by Halle Berry prepares to blast
a member of the Brotherhood of Mutants in
"X-Men III: The Last Stand" ]
The X-Men have always used current events and cultural attitudes as a template for their stories. This time there are two. Much like "Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes" used the Enslaved Revolts in 1700s and 1800s America as their backdrop, "The Last Stand" also uses the Slave Insurrections where Magneto, the Jewish Holocaust of WWII still fresh in his mind, plots in secret in the forest like Nat Turner and Denmark Vesey. The also had their Uncle Toms and Thomasinas as well who fought against them and their cause, and they wanted to see the enemy coming. There are also further cultural references. Under interrogation, the captured Mystique is referred to as "Raven." She sits there silent and sullen as the warden (the same jerk as in "Silence of the Lambs") repeats. Finally, she says "I don't answer to my Slave name." Hello! The shape-shifter and deadly martial artist with the prehensile feet also ominously tells a brutal Brotha security guard who's guarding the mutant detainees as they're being moved around in the secret mobile prisons that "when the time comes --I'm going to kill you myself." "Yeah right. Move back from the bars or I'll Mace you again, you blue bitch!" But the new X-Men movie has a more modern relevance, and that is the current Illegal Immigration brouhaha. When a large pharmaceutical firm announces an injectable "cure" that permanently suppresses the Mutant X gene it launches the nation into a contentious discussion as processing centers are opened up, and mutants are urged to report to get their free and voluntary treatments. "But there's nothing wrong with us!" says Halle Berry's Storm, who gets lot more to do in this movie, including fly, as she does in the comics. I mean "Graphic Novels." There is lots of discussion about ethics in the film, along with Genocide. This aspect made me sit up, because I'm writing a series of articles on the subject.  [Storm and Prof. Xavier question Logan
about the whereabouts of the Phoenix,
the transformed Jean Grey ]
In fact, the Illegal Immigration furor may exacerbate the temptation for Genocide, because while some are saying "there's no way to get 12 million people out" of the country that's not quite true. The Pentagon for years had - and may yet have - an Ethnic Weaponry program in the 1970s and '80s, where they could target an entire group for elimination by their group genetic signature. The Human Genome project only makes it easier. So, if it becomes perceived as a problem with projections by some think tanks that by the middle of this century 170 million Central Americans and their descendents will overwhelm this nation there are options, just not humane ones. But if lots of urban Chicanos start getting coughs and colds that won't get away, don't say that you weren't told! "How can Democracy survive when one man can move cities with his mind?" the President asks. Prof. X back at his school for Gifted Youngsters leads a discussion by asking "when do we cross the line into tyranny?" by misuse of their powers? Eric Lensher's Magneto has been given a very understandable motivation. As a Holocaust survivor he has seen this before, and is driven to make sure Never Again. He shows his concentration camp tattoo to the disunified rabble as he raises his army for the war against Homo Sapiens, and tells them how its going down: "While you're planning and holding your meetings they will come in the still of the night. Make no mistake my young friends, this is extermination." "Nobody's been talking of extermination!" someone protests. "No one ever speaks of extermination, they just do it," Lensher tells them. "In the coming fight and the inevitable Genocide, on whose side will you stand? If we want our freedom we must fight for it! And that fight begins now!"  [ Magneto joins forces again with Prof. X
and the X-Men after the government tries to
"cure" its Mutant problem ]
Still, when the renegade Pyro complains about Prof. Xavier, considered a go-along Uncle Tom by the young Turks Magneto brings him up short. "Charles Xavier did more for Mutants than you will ever know!" Ian McKellen is in two monster hit films at once, to go along with his role as Gandolf in "The Lord of the Rings" movies. His stage skills do him well here, as does Patrick Stewart's, reprising his role as Prof. Charles Xavier, trying to create a world where Mutant and human can live in peace. In addition to Magneto, some of the Old School mutants have been recycled and make an appearance in "The Last Stand." There is the Juggernaut who can crash through anything when he gets up momentum; the Angel with his magnificent dove-white wings which he straps under his extra large and extra long trench coat. Colossus is another Marvel re-invention from Giant Man, but who is here a somewhat normal sized Russian with organic steel flesh. I really wanted to see him go against Juggernaut. The Old School Giant Man had his own opposite analog as the former Ant Man, therefore going from the smallest superhero to the tallest! In one episode, while down in Mexico Giant Man lost the potion he has to take to return to normal size, sticking him at 12-15 feet. He was hiding in alleyways, and frightening children who saw him behind the market stalls. "Mira! Mira! Un hombre grande!" to their disbelieving parents.  [Back at Alkali Lake, Jane Grey mysteriously
returns as the ultra powerful and
unstoppable Phoenix ]
Vinnie Jones plays Juggernaut. He appeared as the silent mechanic in "Gone in 60 Seconds," and also in "Swordfish." He thus continues the Hollywood Six Degrees aspect with Halle, who also was in "Swordfish" with Hugh Jackman, playing the henchwoman to John Travolta. Come to think of it, she did do a bit of flying in that film. Sort of. The New Jack ones among the mutant villains include Callisto, with super speed and the ability to sense mutant abilities. Dania Ramirez is Callisto. Ramirez' first film was Spike Lee's "The Subway Stories" for HBO. Other Spike Lee projects were "25th Hour" and "She Hate Me." In the latter, she was the Lesbian partner of Kerry Washington who wants to have a baby with her attorney girlfriend, aided by "Serenity" and "Inside Man" actor Cheiwetel Etiofor as their helpful BabyDaddy. Other new additions are Jubilee, who can project sonic waves; Arclight; and a fella I just call MultiMan, like from the Saturday morning cartoons that used to come on after the most excellent "Herculoids." He can multiply himself in a flagrant violation of scientific principles such as the Conservation Of Mass. But this is a movie, and some suspension of belief is okay, but sometimes they stretch things a bit much. There has to be some plausible Science in Science Fiction. There's also the Porcupine Boy (even when used, their screen names are tossed around fast during "X-Men III: The Last Stand" and couldn't always be written down. Also, the studio Cast List doesn't help because we don't know who's name is who, or even what sex the actor is. Who is Arclight? Male or female? And almost everybody has an alias, except for Kitty Pryde and Jean Grey. The photos help out just a bit.
CAST OF X-MEN III: THE LAST STAND Storm -- Halle Berry
Trask - Bill Duke
Callisto -- Dania Ramirez
Jane Grey, The Phoenix - Famke Jannsen
Wolverine -- Hugh Jackman
Rogue, Marie -- Anna Paquin
Eric Lensher, Magneto -- Ian McKellen
Prof. Charles Xavier -- Patrick Stewart
Scott, Cyclops -- James Marsden
Iceman, Bobby -- Shawn Ashmore
Raven Darkholm, Mystique -- Rebecca Romjin
Jimmy The Leech-- Cameron Bright
Pyro -- Aaron Stanford
Warren Worthington III, Angel -- Ben Foster
Kitty Pryde -- Ellen Page
X-MEN III: THE LAST STAND is directed by Brett Ratner for 20th Century Fox studios. Its rated PG-13 for comic book style violence and mayhem on a massive and continuous scale, but little blood. There's some sexual groping betwixt Logan and Jean Grey, and the skinny Mystique appears pink-skinned and butt-nekkid in one scene. --kjw There have been many movies made from video games, and even 1960-70s TV series. But one genre is really coming into its own because there is a built-in audience spanning generations.  MOVIES MADE FROM COMIC BOOKS: "Meteor Man" by Robert Townsend is unmistakenly drawn from Green Lantern - at least by the green meteor and the sharp, green cape-less suit, and the story of Hal Jordan, who is part of the Green Lantern Corp of the Guardians of the Galaxy. Townsend wanted to make an African American superhero, which many of us lacked growing up. "Meteor Man's" hero, played by director Townsend (who also directed Halle Berry in "B.A.P.S."), is struck by a mysterious meteor and given superpowers, which he uses to clean up his neighborhood of the criminality and drug dealers. The movie was referenced by me for the obituary of the late Luther Vandross because it was his first major screen appearance as the silent hit man and henchman of the golden haired gang. Meteor man also co-stars James Earl Jones, Darth Vader voiceman and Thulsa Doom villain in the first "Conan movie." Bill Cosby plays a pivotal bit part. The Green Lanterns are the opposite of the Watchers, those Marvel eternals with powers akin to the "Star Trek: Next Generation" Q, but who have a strict Prime Directive hands off credo. I can remember when for a time all of the Green Lanterns were of colour. There are always a substitute GL, and when Jordan vanished, one was a brotha who the Guardians had to continually tell he couldn't use the rechargeable Power Ring to restructure the slums for instance. Can you still remember the ritual rhyme? Don't even try and pretend that you didn't do it back in tha day! "In brightest Day, in blackest Night,
No Evil shall escape my sight.
To those who worship Evil's might,
Beware my power, Green Lantern's light!" Superman Returns -- This will make the fifth movie in the franchise, as in the most excellent "Batman Returns" there was some retooling for out times. In the film Superman returns after some years, and just as in the Jesus of Nazareth fable that the Jewish cousins in Cleveland thought up in the 1930s there are questions about his absence and what he was doing. Seeking wisdom? Strengthening his powers for a titanic battle to come? Kevin Spacey plays Lex Luthor, using the same sociopathic leer he employed in "Seven." This is a good sign, because you can't have an unknown in this role. Gene Hackman has established a high bar for the villain role in three of the previous four Christopher Reeves versions. Nick Cage, who told me once in an interview that he took part of his name from the early Black superhero "Luke Cage Power Man," lost out on the Superman role, but he's the "Ghost Rider" now. They're using Marlon Brando's voice again as the disembodied tutor of the super powered import. In Part Two of the original they had to use Susanna York, the mother of the truly Illegal Alien Kal-El because Brando was talking crazy about money for his few lines. Which he refused to learn, and had to read off cue cards.
The Hulk - This much maligned Marvel movie has a sequel planned, and its about time. This was a fabulously entertaining movie that was bad mouthed all through the Internet by the 30 year-old, high water pants wearing, still live downstairs in they mama's basement, never kissed a real girl bunch, who insisted that strict fidelity be paid to such things as ensuring the Hulk wear purple pants! In comics they do that for visual effect, and it also cuts down on redrawing the numerous panels, you sissies! Shut up next time, and push away from the keyboards and go outside and get you some sun. "She Hulk" The Movie is reportedly being planned. Good news, bring it on. And this time ignore the NaySayers. They ain't nobody special. Wonder Woman -- Speaking of tall, thick women, this DC comic of the first female superhero, a rogue Amazon princess is due for a Hollywood version. There were actually two TV series made from it in the 1970s. Unbreakable - This is really a filmed comic book, with a dissertation delivered by a real comic book fan in Samuel Jackson that was incorporated into the film. Reteaming with Bruce Willis from "Pulp Fiction," Jackson plays Mr. Glass, friend to the nearly invulnerable Willis who survived car and train crashes. By contrast, Mr. Glass has very weak bones, and when he was born in a tenement his young mother was questioned for child abuse when the constantly crying baby boy was found with every bone in his little body broken! M. Night Shyamalan has another film, "Lady In the Water" out this summer. And its nothing like the lightweight but enjoyable girl Mermaid flick "Aquamarine," trust me on this! The Crow - This had three theatre feature film releases, and a fourth to TV. Originally based in Detroit, on Devil's night thugs break in and kill a young couple. Brandon Lee, son of Bruce, comes back from the dead to become the unslayable Killer of Killers and dark avenging spirit, still linked to earthly life. Lee died on the set under very mysterious circumstances that have fueled conspiracy theorists ever since. Spawn
Blade
Catwoman
Supergirl
Spider Man
Elektra
Fantastic Four
Batman Returns
The Mask, Son of
Coming Up: Nacho Libre - Jack Black plays a wrestler and sort-of monk/initiate who uses his ring skills to help support a Mexican orphanage in this comical farce. Ghost Rider - Nick Cage plays the undead motorcycle rider who avenges his death, ala "The Crow" Namor, the Sub Mariner
Aqua Man
Iron Man
She Hulk
Wonder Woman Some of these are often turned into Cable Movies if the studios get skittish where the average action movie is 80 million dollars. That's why they like to cast unknowns in both acting and ddirecting, 'cause they cheaper. Until they blow up, like former unknown actors and independent music video directors. Cinema Views with Film Critic Kevin J. Walker
p.o. box 1324-53201 milwaukee, wis. usa Black Web Portal Wire Releases
Cinema Views on Tripod
|
No Forum