Sometimes you just have to go to the movies. Sit in a theater, relax, and forget your worries for a bit. I did that a few days ago, heading to the theater by my lonesome to check out the latest X Men movie. I’d heard good things, and MC isn’t yet at the age where we’re comfortable having baby sitters in charge, so Denisa and I have been missing out on the movie scene. This was one I didn’t want to miss, so off I went.
I’ve seen many of the X Men movies. I didn’t see the third one, because I’d heard terrible things about it. I also haven’t seen the Wolverine spinoffs. But I’ve seen the first two and the prequel that came out a couple of years ago, and I’ve enjoyed them all. So if this one was getting the thumbs up from people, why not give it a shot?
It was a fun movie, and I really liked it. Wolverine goes back in time to save the X-Men? So it’s basically the plot of Free Birds, but with superheroes and better writing? Sure–why not? It felt in line with the other X Men movies I’ve seen, which is to say, not quite as light hearted as a Marvel Studios film–more broody and serious for the most part, although there were flashes of humor that were nicely done. That all said, I also felt like it was more of a comic geek’s film than many of the Marvel movies. This isn’t to say the Avengers isn’t a comic geek’s film, but rather that the Avengers is more generally accessible than this X Men movie might be to the average movie goer. The plot is fairly complex–it involves time travel and alternate histories, after all. That can get a little head-whirling at times if you aren’t used to it. I didn’t have any trouble with it, and I actually liked the complexity, but if you’re the sort of person who doesn’t like trying to remember who’s who and where they are in a timeline and what special abilities they have . . . you might like to go elsewhere for your movie ticket.
The film’s in the top 100 on IMDB at the moment, and I tend to think we’ll see that fall down significantly. It’s a fine outing, with good characters and interesting plots, but it’s not exactly the flat out most awesome movie evar. For example, Usual Suspects has an 8.7 rating on IMDB, and this X Men movie has an 8.5 at the moment. That’s just plain too high of a rating for it.
That said, when all’s said and done, I was happy to see it in the theaters, and I enjoyed it a great deal. I’d give it an 8/10. Comic and fantasy and sci-fi fans shouldn’t miss it. Good times, indeed. (It’s a movie I’d love to take TRC to. Not going to happen, since one of the main characters is a shapely completely naked blue skinned Katniss Everdeen–something the film never fails to take full advantage of whenever possible. Then again, I know a fair number of movies that could benefit from some Mystique. If she’d been the main character in Circle of Friends, for example, perhaps I would have enjoyed the movie a great deal more as a teenager. Just sayin’.)
Already seen it? Tell me what you thought.
I do have to say that I have no idea why anyone would cry in Circle of Friends. It’s not a sad movie. Also not a good movie, but it ends well.
I don’t even honestly remember what that movie is about anymore. I’ve blocked the whole plot from my mind. But I’m sure a naked, blue Katniss would have improved the experience.