Mr March

Much appreciated sidearmsalpha.

Very nice replica! I'd love to have one of those.

Nope, there are a lot of us. I really hate the narrated, studio-friendly-ending version that was originally released. I'll take Scott's cut over that lousy ending crap any day.

Since my poor thread fell off... X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Genre: Live Action Film – Science Fiction Action Adventure Prior to release, X-Men: The Last Stand was known more for its tumultuous development problems and lack of a director than for the anticipation of what was once the new darling film franchise of the summer blockbuster season. With the departure of series creator Bryan Singer and the decline of an offer to direct by up-and-comer Matthew Vaughn, speculation was high that the final choice of Brett Ratner to direct would spell doom for the X-Men film franchise. While rumors of the third film’s demise may be greatly exaggerated, X-Men: The Last Stand is a semi-successful sequel that doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first two X-Men movies. Reprising their roles from the first two films, the group of super-human mutants Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Storm (Halle Berry), and Cyclops (James Marsden) struggle onward to protect mutants and humans alike after the tragic loss of their beloved teammate Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). Arriving at Xavier’s mansion, Secretary of Mutant Affairs Dr. Hank McCoy (Kelsey Grammar) gravely informs the X-Men that a drug company has discovered a method to suppress mutation and strip mutants of their super-human powers. Reacting with unbridled defiance, fierce mutant leader Magneto (Ian McKellen) swiftly moves to insure mutant superiority by rescuing the captured Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and building an army with which to control the source of the cure, a mutation-negating child named Leech (Cameron Bright). It would only be fair to say that Bryan Singer is missed in this third film. X-Men: The Last Stand does lack the accomplished production design, vibrant cinematography, and polished character driven stories that were strong elements in the two previous efforts directed by Singer. However, Ratner has to be given due credit for creating a better than average sequel. What Last Stand may lack from previous franchise installments it compensates with some risky character choices, a clever story, and some of the best effects-laden action you’re likely to see this year. Stylistically, the film starts off with the now-familiar cerebro marquee and includes the expected prologue before the film pushes into the main story. The characters, both old and new, are setup with near consistent aplomb allowing the story to easily integrate into the current narrative flow of the X-films. There is a good deal to find entertaining in Ratner’s version of X-Men. The script for Last Stand treats the established characters faithfully, from the development of the infamous Cyclops/Jean/Wolverine love triangle to smaller stories like the relationship between Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Iceman (Shawn Ashmore). The film is strongest when doing action and tension. Fans will enjoy numerous mutant showdowns, from a fire-and-ice battle between Iceman and former X-student-turned-villain Pyro (Aaron Stanford) to a deliciously destructive chase between young mutant Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) and brawling bruiser Juggernaut (the always enjoyable Vinnie Jones). Where the film falters is with the introduction of one too many mutants as in the case of the charismatic but underused Callisto (Dania Ramirez) to the barely necessary inclusion of Warren Worthington (Ben Foster). The film tries to accomplish a great deal in one movie and while success is often achieved even with a trim 104 minute running time, it is clear that there is more happening onscreen than the film can ultimately support. There can be little doubt X-Men: The Last Stand indeed stands as the weakest of the three X-Men films, yet the movie does bring more to the franchise than its status as a sequel. For good or ill, director Brett Ratner has put his own stamp on the X-Men film fable, creating a third film that largely meshes well with the two preceding films and features a story with lasting consequences for the cast of characters. While Last Stand is a very bleak X-Men film that leaves the viewer feeling more sombre than satisfied, Ratner and company are to be commended for taking risks that result in a better than expected film delivering the goods a modest serving more than it fails. Rating: 3 out of 5. A worthy yet flawed close to the first X-Men trilogy, notable for entertaining action and finality over the character and style of the first films.

Tragic.

Yeah, heard about this a couple weeks back. All I can say is it's about damn time. Blade Runner has practically topped the most wanted list for a proper DVD release every since special editions became fashionable. I recall myself sending a query to WB asking what the heck was the hold up many years back. Finally, it looks like they've cleared up all the lousy legal issues and are set to get cracking. Can't wait.

X-Men: The Last Stand (2006) Genre: Live Action Film – Science Fiction Action Adventure Prior to release, X-Men: The Last Stand was known more for its tumultuous development problems and lack of a director than for the anticipation of what was once the new darling film franchise of the summer blockbuster season. With the departure of series creator Bryan Singer and the decline of an offer to direct by up-and-comer Matthew Vaughn, speculation was high that the final choice of Brett Ratner to direct would spell doom for the X-Men film franchise. While rumors of the third film’s demise may be greatly exaggerated, X-Men: The Last Stand is a semi-successful sequel that doesn’t quite reach the heights of the first two X-Men movies. Reprising their roles from the first two films, the group of super-human mutants Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Storm (Halle Berry), and Cyclops (James Marsden) struggle onward to protect mutants and humans alike after the tragic loss of their beloved teammate Jean Grey (Famke Janssen). Arriving at Xavier’s mansion, Secretary of Mutant Affairs Dr. Hank McCoy (Kelsey Grammar) gravely informs the X-Men that a drug company has discovered a method to suppress mutation and strip mutants of their super-human powers. Reacting with unbridled defiance, fierce mutant leader Magneto (Ian McKellen) swiftly moves to insure mutant superiority by rescuing the captured Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and building an army with which to control the source of the cure, a mutation-negating child named Leech (Cameron Bright). It would only be fair to say that Bryan Singer is missed in this third film. X-Men: The Last Stand does lack the accomplished production design, vibrant cinematography, and polished character driven stories that were strong elements in the two previous efforts directed by Singer. However, Ratner has to be given due credit for creating a better than average sequel. What Last Stand may lack from previous franchise installments it compensates with some risky character choices, a clever story, and some of the best effects-laden action you’re likely to see this year. Stylistically, the film starts off with the now-familiar cerebro marquee and includes the expected prologue before the film pushes into the main story. The characters, both old and new, are setup with near consistent aplomb allowing the story to easily integrate into the current narrative flow of the X-films. There is a good deal to find entertaining in Ratner’s version of X-Men. The script for Last Stand treats the established characters faithfully, from the development of the infamous Cyclops/Jean/Wolverine love triangle to smaller stories like the relationship between Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Iceman (Shawn Ashmore). The film is strongest when doing action and tension. Fans will enjoy numerous mutant showdowns, from a fire-and-ice battle between Iceman and former X-student-turned-villain Pyro (Aaron Stanford) to a deliciously destructive chase between young mutant Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) and brawling bruiser Juggernaut (the always enjoyable Vinnie Jones). Where the film falters is with the introduction of one too many mutants as in the case of the charismatic but underused Callisto (Dania Ramirez) to the barely necessary inclusion of Warren Worthington (Ben Foster). The film tries to accomplish a great deal in one movie and while success is often achieved even with a trim 104 minute running time, it is clear that there is more happening onscreen than the film can ultimately support. There can be little doubt X-Men: The Last Stand indeed stands as the weakest of the three X-Men films, yet the movie does bring more to the franchise than its status as a sequel. For good or ill, director Brett Ratner has put his own stamp on the X-Men film fable, creating a third film that largely meshes well with the two preceding films and features a story with lasting consequences for the cast of characters. While Last Stand is a very bleak X-Men film that leaves the viewer feeling more sombre than satisfied, Ratner and company are to be commended for taking risks that result in a better than expected film delivering the goods a modest serving more than it fails. Rating: 3 out of 5. A worthy yet flawed close to the first X-Men trilogy, notable for entertaining action and finality over the character and style of the first films.

I don't really want the filter removed for the express purpose of rampant cursing, but I am more than a little tired of having to edit my posts because of the odd expletive that turns into some ridiculous remark best left to a Pokemon message board. I understand the reasoning behind the filter, but I don't think it's approriate for a board like Macross World. Our members are mostly older and the board would better represent the community without these family-friendly policies. To be blunt, I find the current censor system more than a little patronizing.

With all due respect bsu, this is a film issue. For a 16:9 film to be given some half-assed transfer to DVD is a crime, even without taking into account that this is a big blockbuster film that deserves nothing but the royal treatment on home video. I wouldn't buy Gladiator, X-Men, or The Matrix if the transfer on DVD was as lousy as this new SW DVD set is rumored.

LOL! That is funny

Don't they always

I disagree. Not with your review, mind you... that was pretty much spot on. But I think the movie's claim to fame is less about the pre-release controversy and more about the popularity of the book, which managed to sell some 60 million or so copies to date. 401212[/snapback] As a viewer who has not read the book, I was prompted to view the film based on the film, not the book. Granted fans of the book will go see the film because they are fans. But on it's own, the film possesses no merit beyond the pre-release hype, despite an established fan base. Star Wars had an established fan base, but Episode One's claim to fame is that of a bad film and one of the biggest dissappointments in film history. I am going to read The Da Vinci Code now, since I think the story has some potential which was probably done correctly the first time in the original book.

Thanks for heeding jsARCLIGHT's warning. Indeed the thread is about the film itself. The controversy should be discussed only in loose terms as it pertains to the film. There is actually another, much older thread about the Da Vinci Code still open on MW, so please let this one remain so as well. THanks again.

Well, this trailer is a little bit better than the first trailer, for what that's worth.

The Da Vinci Code (2006) Genre: Live Action Film – Dramatic Thriller The Da Vinci Code book by author Dan Brown has been discussed so much since release, the controversy has taken on a life of its own. So it can come as no surprise that the film adaptation has generated an equal if not greater controversy prior to release. Yet lost in most of the debate is a simple question for this film fan: is The Da Vinci Code a good movie? The Da Vinci Code is a thriller which delves into religious iconography and myth to tell the story of a Semiologist (called the fictional discipline “Symbologyâ€) named Robert Langdon (Tom Hanks) who becomes involved in a mystery after the death of an old colleague in France. Hank’s Langdon is approached by DCPJ officer Bezt Fache (Jean Reno) and brought to the Louvre Museum to assist Fache’s investigation. Here Langdon meets the curator’s granddaughter and cryptologist Sophie Neveu (Audrey Tautou) who discreetly informs Langdon that he is Fache’s prime murder suspect. Escaping Fache’s custody, Langdon and Neveu investigate the curator’s death, leading the two on a perilous chase to discover a conspiracy by the Catholic Church that conceals the true story of Jesus Christ. If the plot of Code sounds contrived at this point, trust that it is very much so and more despite director Ron Howard’s effort. The introduction of Langdon into the conspiracy is just barely plausible, an error that ever impedes one’s suspension of disbelief. It doesn’t help the narrative that a side story about $20 million and Bishop Manuel Aringarosa (Alfred Molina) is never explained or that the relentless assassin monk Silas (Paul Bettany) is given flashbacks while stalking our heroes. The film is so full of useless information the last thing it needs is lengthy exposition, but we get that in spades with the inserting of Langdon’s friend Sir Leigh Teabing (Ian McKellen). McKellen spouts near endless drab dialogue, but he does manage to inject some humor and life into an otherwise dark and dull movie. How dark it is indeed, a film so clouded by shadow it comes off as annoying rather than anything a viewer could appreciate as cinematic style. So much goes tragically wrong in the execution of The Da Vinci Code it becomes a puzzle in itself choosing where to start a critique. The humorless main characters, the dreadfully lengthy exposition, the boring first two-thirds, the constant out of focus closeups, and yet more disparaging criticisms could be written to fill two reviews. The list of faults could be overlooked if a strong script engaged the audience. Instead, Code offers nothing engaging at all and opts instead for Langdon and Neveu literally stumbling unto solutions without so much as an ounce of deduction or reason. Who needs Sherlock Holmes when dumb luck will suffice? In defense of Code, the story itself is a rather fresh setting for a tried and true mystery thriller. While Howard’s directing of Code does little to distinguish the film from other such films as National Treasure, the concept of a conspiracy surrounding the true nature of Jesus is compelling. Many will find a lot of interesting thoughts and theories on western religions and the history of which is called into question. Even in such a lifeless film as Code, there are a few thrills to be had and some genuine twists will satisfy those with low expectations. However, the controversy preceding the release is by far more impressive and entertaining than the film itself. If any film deserves to be derided for creating a lot of hype about a lot of nothing, The Da Vinci Code certainly qualifies. Rating: 2 out of 5. The Da Vinci Code is an average conspiracy thriller whose only claim to fame is a pre-release controversy.

I know on a Macross website this opinion would be synonymous to yelling "SHARK!" at a beach, but I now rank Super Dimension Fortress Macross and Robotech music on the same level. I don't now consider either to have any sort of quality over the other, or even think they were great scores at all. Both scores had very brief shelf lives and were quite forgettable. I personally prefer Macross, but more because it's the original score rather than some declaration of quality. I'd just as soon approve a re-score for both series than pick a favorite. Macross Plus is another matter entirely. But I digress. The list is garbage, especially in the light of so many great scores that are trumped by the likes of Outlaw Star and Robotech. What a laugh.

WTH? Robotech music is de jure vanilla audio wallpaper at best! Not that SDF Macross is any better, but Robotech ranked better than Macross Plus? There is no way any of the mediocre Robotech score ranks higher than anything Yoko Kanno does...even on a bad day. I can't understand why the Robotech score even find's itself included on such a list. The Escaflowne series score, Patlabor films score, Ghost In The Shell film score, Vampire Hunter D score, and Mononoke-hime film scores are all panel and palette above Robotech, yet nowhere are any of these to be found on IGN's list. What a travesty. I tell ya, I don't give nearly enough credit to the HG marketting machine. They practically infect every nook and cranny of online publicity in anime fandom. Every time there's some list or feature about anime history or top tens, the HG machine can be found from Akadot to XAnime squeezing in some mention of Robotech. Given the total lack of taste found in the ranking of this list, I'm surprised a quality work like Cowboy Bebop's score was voted number one. Must have been a natural disaster that day.

Are you implying this thread by any chance: http://www.macrossworld.com/mwf/index.php?...1&hl=star+ships 399941[/snapback] No, he means this thread...from 2003 Starship Dimensions thread on MW (Macross Forum)

This website has been posted several times. Best to use the forum search tool to find the thread. It's so funny to see my Super Star Destroyer drawing every time someone posts this thread. Sadly it's the most accurate lineart still kicking around; it needs so much work

LOL That's funny. The costume didn't look to bad for a cheap knock-off.

Spanish television producers come up with a regional derivative of S Club 7? Yep, sure looks like it and it looks even worse than their British predecessor...if that's even possible.

Ooops. Sorry, must have missed that I think the Macross outclasses any single Zentradi ship as seen in the series. It may only be a Supervision Army gunboat, but in nearly every one-on-one situation it comes out on top. Granted, most of those situations are skewed in favor of the Macross, but the Macross came out the better against Kamjin's cruiser in the final episode even when the Macross was at a disadvantage. Taking into account that the Pin Point Barrier system can repel the main cannon on Zentradi Cruiser and the Full Barrier can repel full fire from multiple Zentradi Capital ships, I think the Macross is confidently victorious in any one-on-one engagement.

As a comic book character, Cyclops is great. He's interesting, multi-faceted, and some of the best X-Men story lines of the last 30 years have involved Scott/Jean as major players. Scott's character has a good sense of humor, is quite brave, and often has to make the tough decisions for the group. As Cyclops is featured in the X-Men films, he's filler at best. His character is given very little to do. In fact, Cyclops is rarely shown as the team leader he is in the comics. Killing off Storm or Cyclops as they are featured in the films would actually have very little impact. For all intents and purposes, they are flat characters in an ensemble piece. Personally, I really wouldn't miss Cyclops all that much in the films.

These are painful to read. I'm stopping now

Looks very good. The dialogue is better than I expected, but still feels a little rough. As a continuation of the X-Men series, stylistically it looks bang on. I like Kelsey as Beast, but I was for the casting right from the beginning so I'm not surprised. It appears Berry got her wish for more screen time, cause she's pretty much charging through her scenes with gusto. I like what I'm seeing of the story so far. It's definitely X-Men and the conflict it sets up should be great. With everything going for it, I hope it doesn't turn out lousy. Everytime I see more of this film, it gets better. That's more than I can say for some other flicks coming up this year