Okay, so after long wait, here's my take
I'll just break down the scenes the same way you did, Boba.
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1. 20 Years Ago This is a very good scene that helps to establish Jean's character. It gives us a foundation of her powers, and her true potential. What this scene (and overall, the movie) would have benefitted from, however, was incorporating Jean's childhood friend, whom Jean "felt" die. It would help to explain the "evil" Phoenix persona that we see later in the film. With that complaint out of the way, however (and it's more something I would have preferred, rather than a complaint), I do like this scene. I enjoy seeing Xavier and Magneto together, as friends, as they once were. In a way, it helps bring the story full circle, as
X-Men and
X2 showed their respect for each other, and this brings it around to show us the earlier stages of their relationship. Xavier's line about "Will you control it, or let it control you" is a very good line to lay the foundation of what Jean's arc is going to be about.
It does feel wierd, after
X-Men and
X2, to jump right into the film, and not have a monologue. But in a way,
X2 did kind of "conclude" the monologues, in a way. The end of
X2 has Jean quoting Xavier's monologue from
X-Men. In a way, it makes it feel as though the monologues have been brought full circle. The monologue is noticeably absent, but I also feel that it's okay, and not all that inconsistent.
2. 10 Years Ago Brilliant scene. Not only does this scene introduce us to Angel and his father, as well as give the cure a personal story attatchment, but it also helps to show the public view of mutants; Warren's "Oh God, not you", and Angel's "Dad, I'm sorry" truly carry the foundation of what the core of the X-Men mythos is about; being different, and the lack of tolerance that one faces. In this instance, we see a child struggling for his father's acceptance, physically mutilating himself to try to fit in, and not be a disappointment.
It leads into the credits sequence. Obviously, something this minor has no real impact upon the movie. But this is my favorite CGI opening sequence. Powell came strong with the theme song, and it is my favorite theme of the trilogy.
3. The Danger Room The scene is a bit choppy. However, overall, I feel this scene works. On many different levels. It establishes a few story arcs; Rogue may have come to grips with her mutation in
X2, but the fact that Iceman now has a wandering eye is going to make her feel a bit insecure. This scene establishes this particular story arc. It establishes Iceman, Rogue, Colossus, and Kitty Pryde as X-Men. Iceman and Rogue were seen in uniform in the White House in
X2. Kitty Pryde was mentioned in the White House (Xavier: "Let's just say I know a little girl who can walk through walls"), and this scene gives payoff to the implication that she'd been doing work for the X-Men already. And establishing Colossus as an X-Men member gives payoff for the bravery he showed in
X2 helping to save the children, as well as offering to help Wolverine. It establishes the Fastball Special, which will have payoff later in the film. The ending portion of the sequence establishes that Cyclops isn't right since Jean's death, and perhaps isn't the best leader right now. And it does all of that while giving us the Danger Room, Sentinels, and Days of Future Past all in one scene. Although the execution could have been better, the execution is not bad at all. The concept is absolutley amazing. This scene works.
4. Scott Grieves I can totally buy Cyclops neglecting his duties because of Jean's loss (and the fact that she is still haunting him). Cyclops has left the team before. His grieving (and eventual departure to Alkali Lake) is totally in character to that. And of course, Marsden is a pretty good actor in this role, and he nails it.
5. Rogue and Bobby Rogue, who was becomming more confident in herself, has reason to be a bit insecure. Iceman seems to have a wandering eye (at least from her perspective), and she knows it's because of her powers. It establishes Rogue's arc rather well. What I do find kind of ironic, however, is her accusation to Bobby; "You're a guy Bobby, your mind's only on one thing."...... says the girl who cures herself so that she can kiss a boy...
6. Scott and Logan Wow, I really like this scene. It really showcases Scott's grief over Jean. There is a heavy implication that there's a bit more than just the fact that Jean died that's bothering Scott. We see (for the last time, unfortunatley) the Scott & Logan rivalry. Logan tries to play the supporting, caring friend, but the fact is, he just doesn't understand. And Scott puts Wolverine right in his place. This is the kind of scene that proves that this really should have been Cyclops' movie. But, alas...
7. Meet Beast Ab-so-freaking-lutley-brilliant. Our first look at Beast is a scene of him hanging upside down in his office. I cannot think of a better way to introduce the character. The scene helps to show what the President's "next move" was after the meeting with the X-Men in
X2. It is a new administration, but the fact that there is a Department of Mutant Affairs, and the administration wants diplomatic interactions with mutant kind show that the government has come to an understanding, at the very least, for mutant kind, that not all of them are evil. The scene establishes Magneto as a terrorist, and shows that he's been fighting this war "every step of the way" with his terrorist attacks across the globe. I don't really like Mystique, but I like her scene being interrogated. What's sorely missing is a reference to Senator Kelly. "You know who she's been imitating? Secretary Trask." A mention to Senator Kelly, and the fact that he's dead, should have been made, simply for continuity purposes. But I guess that's a minor detail. We first learn of the cure here, although it isn't blatantly stated what has everyone so nervous.
8. Ethics class This scene really feels like a Singer type scene. Just with the cameos, and all that... it really keeps the vibe of the school from the previous 2 movies alive. The Jones reference is nice, from
X2, keeping a bit of continuity, even if unneccesary. But minor details sometimes can help the larger picture. I love the "Einstein wasn't a mutant... so far as we know" line.
9. Charles and Storm - For the most part, this scene is just bad. The little introduction on the balcony is pretty good, the whole "I don't have to be psychic to see that something's bothering you" is a nice touch of the bond between Ororo and Xavier. The cameo in the hall of the student with the airplanes helps to give off that Singer-feel that the Ethics Class scene did. But the discussion between Storm and Xavier is horrible. "I was hoping you'd take my place someday" "But Scott's..." "Scott's a changed man"... he's no longer Scott Summers, he's Richard White, and he went to Metropolis. This scene is just so full of "we're totally ****ing over a major character, and we don't really care" that it hurts. Storm's "There's something you're not telling us" is quickly forgotten as they meet Beast, and never really recalled again in the film. This scene just hurts.
10. The Cure It's a nice establishement that Beast knows Xavier, Storm, and the X-Men from a previous time. My only concern is, how did he get here so quickly after his meeting in Washington? I suppose he could have taken that 3 hour train ride from DC to New York, but still, it's a little too fast for my tastes. This is where I first noticed this movie was going to be paced a bit too quickly. But otherwise, it's a rather effective introduction to what is going to be the main plot of the movie.
11. Storm Reacts to the Cure Throughout this entire trilogy, these actors have become lost in the characters. I don't see the actors portraying characters, I see the characters. That's how brilliant the acting has been in these films. The only difference is Halle Berry; I don't see Storm. I don't even see Halle Berry as Storm. I just see Halle Berry. And this scene is a perfect example of that. She just keeps going on and on like an annoying *****, and finally Xavier shuts her up "Storm! They're announcing it now." The way he calls her name just wreaks of "*****, shut your whiney ass up!" Maybe it's just because I was wanting her to shut her whiney ass up, and would have told her so to her face, so I heard what I wanted to hear. But as the trilogy goes on, I see less and less of Storm, and more and more of Halle.
12. Announcing the Cure I really like this scene of Warren Worthington on Alcatraz announcing the cure, while Rogue watches on TV. The capture of her face is perfect. In an
X-Men deleted scene, she asks about getting cured. And now, here it is... she can get cured. She may have learned to accept her powers and become more confident, but an oppourtunity like this is something too good to pass up. She can cope with her powers, or become what she's always wanted to be. For Rogue to contemplate the cure is actually the perfect arc for her in this film. How it was concluded... well that's for later in this break down. Finally a line from Storm that I like, and that gives the film a sense of dire consequences: "There's nothing wrong with you. Or any of us for that matter." That line just works, and it sits with me.
Of course if one deems films as slaves to be subject to hostile inspection randomly by other sources, you wont be seeing the filmverse picture how it was meant.
