I saw the film yesterday (5/18) at a press screening here in Boston. It's a two and a half star film for me. The screenplay is a mess as it tries to pack way too much, including some pretty lousy dialogue and situations, into a scant 100 minutes (it easily could have used another 30 minutes). Ratner's pedestrian directing didn't really help matters much.
Thankfully, we still have the performances of Jackman, McKellen and Stewart still there to keep things moving. I also noticed that Halle Berry got a LOT more screentime in this film, most likely the result of her demanding it in order to get her back. I thought Kelsey Grammer was good as Beast, although he, like others, wasn't onscreen enough to really flesh out his character.
I think fans of the comic books will get more of out this film than people who have not read the comics (such as myself). I loved the first two movies because Bryan Singer knew how to balance the action scenes and special effects with character development and empathy. Ratner and screenwriter Simon Kinberg obviously do not. They know how to make a watchable and mildly enjoyable popcorn flick, but they have also made a film that one cannot help but walk away someone let down from.
When you watch the film, stick around for a coda after the end credits.
Thankfully, we still have the performances of Jackman, McKellen and Stewart still there to keep things moving. I also noticed that Halle Berry got a LOT more screentime in this film, most likely the result of her demanding it in order to get her back. I thought Kelsey Grammer was good as Beast, although he, like others, wasn't onscreen enough to really flesh out his character.
I think fans of the comic books will get more of out this film than people who have not read the comics (such as myself). I loved the first two movies because Bryan Singer knew how to balance the action scenes and special effects with character development and empathy. Ratner and screenwriter Simon Kinberg obviously do not. They know how to make a watchable and mildly enjoyable popcorn flick, but they have also made a film that one cannot help but walk away someone let down from.
When you watch the film, stick around for a coda after the end credits.