ntcrawler said:
Exactly. You don't have to be a veteran comic reader to understand that X3 deviates from the previous two films, with which the audience is fairly familiar by now, and which set the standard and framework.
I don't think the general public engage in discussions about changes of director etc... many people aren't even aware of the 'behind-the-scenes' production factors.
X3 doesn't deviate from the previous two movies. Most of the same cast are there, the mansion set is the same, stories continue (Magneto, Rogue, return of Jean, for instance). The structure of X3 is much like X1 (similar 'cellular biology' intro, two flashbacks then into a 'not too distant future' sequence). There isn't the huge disparity you claim.
The general public will have seen the posters, seen the TV adverts, and talkshow appearances, and thought 'That looks good, and I liked the first two, so I'll go and see that.'
Critics had preconceived issues with the movie because they were aware of the change of directors (perceived as a 'troubled production' by many), the absence of the director who made the first two films and they therefore had those things in mind when viewing the movie. The general public don't have those things in mind. A film is enjoyable or it isn't.
Yes, it had shortcomings. So did X1 and X2. I was angry about Storm's portrayal in X1, and angry about the portrayal of Storm, Phoenix, Deathstrike and Mastermind/Jason in X2. I had issues with things in X3 as well. But the movie is the movie. it's been made, it's a done deal. I prefer to focus on the positive than keep going on about the negative.
The end of X3 clearly pointed in a certain direction, at which Ratner has hinted in an interview! That direction is outer space! In the comics the infant, powerless Magneto was restored to adulthood (and his powers to their maximum) by Shi'ar agent Erik the Red and Xavier's consciousness was put into a newly-cloned body by the Shi'ar.... As Phoenix was part of the outer space storylines, I'm not sure how it would all work, but after three movies I'm not averse to the X-Men going into space! I can hear the Singer defenders shrieking and slashing wrists... but just remember Bryan left behind a franchise in which he grounded the X-Men from flight and space for the SR movie in which there is...guess what.. flight and space!
Grr..
