melissa3 Reviews

The Mexican (2001)

A little too long...

[8/10 · 27 November 2001]

I was dragged into seeing this movie (on video, no less), but I guess in the end I was glad to have seen it. It was a tad on the LONG side though... Not that I can't sit through 3-hour movies, but looking back at it, The Mexican had so many superfluous plots running through it. For instance, the whole Julia Roberts plotline could have been cut out and had no effect on the goings-on of the rest of the story. I take that to mean that she was added to attract an audience, and not for the benefit of the story. The only time she really played a necessary part was at the end, when... well, I won't spoil it, but, well, it's not like spoiling it would cause so great a damage. Anyway, it was a "enjoyable" and "interesting" movie, but notice how I avoid calling it "great" and a "masterpiece"... I usually expect more from Brad Pitt since he seems to have good sense about what movies he does. I guess everyone can make mistakes...

The Virgin Suicides (1999)

I gave this film a 10.

[10/10 · 5 March 2001]

Sophia Coppola does an excellent job of portraying the life of five teenage sisters. Of varying ages, the sisters seem identical and different at the same time. But Coppola does a good job with the story, which at times is a bit strange. I still don't understand the ending, as it leaves you hanging on a hopeless note. But the story, which is one of a voyeuristic genre, follows the sisters through the eyes of a group of boys that pine after them. I'd definitely recommend this movie, since it's enjoyable, and mostly, intriguing. Although it is depressing (what do you expect from the title??), it's also worthwhile.

X-Men (2000)

I gave this film an 8.

[8/10 · 5 March 2001]

I've always been a fan of the X-Men, since the Animated Series aired (I'd never really read any of the comics though... ^_^). So when I heard they were making a movie about them, I was counting the days until it was released. Maybe that affected how I viewed the movie, but I was a bit disappointed. Director Brian Singer (Usual Suspects) did a good job with what he's got... the multiple characters, etc. The whole project seems a bit "safe," though, as if the producers wanted to make sure this big production didn't flop. It's a good movie, but not a great one. Fans of the X-Men might be especially disappointed if their favorite characters do not include either Wolverine or Rogue. Mine personally is Cyclops, but he had a minor role. James Marsden, who played Cyclops, was a bit on the stiff side, but I forgive him because I like him as an actor. On that note, all the actors did an excellent job, especially Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan, as the forces of good and evil. It brought an endearing humanistic side to a story I had thought was dominated by sci-fi. If you're an X-Men fan, I would definitely recommend this film--but you probably have already seen it! What X-Men fan would miss out? If you're not a fan, maybe this movie can be a starting point for a new obsession... :o)