X-MEN vs. SUPERMAN

I'm not big on super-hero movies. Being a grounded 30-something, I prefer my movie entertainment to be based in reality instead of a movie whose main audience is unemployed computer geeks that live in their parent's basement...Or under a bridge. Having said this...I've enjoyed the X-MEN Trilogy. I gave each if the first 2 installments a "7". Last year I watched "United" for a second time...It deserved an "8". LAST STAND holds form with the first 2...It's a good flick.

The X-Men characters are interesting...No matter if they are heroes or villains. It helps that the main (most popular) X-Men are played by great performers. Hugh Jackman is perfect playing Wolverine. Could anyone else make those animalistic sideburns look so cool? And lets not forget Halle Berry. Any film that requires her to wear a skin-tight rubber suite..'Nough said (for the record...best looking woman is a skin tight rubber suite belongs to Micheele Pffeiffer in BATMAN RETURNS).

X-MEN: THE LAST STAND gets a "7". The end action sequence was a little much. When Magneto used his magnetic power to "lift" the Golden Gate Bridge and connected it to Alcatraz Island...All I could do was shake me head as I made a mental note to subtract "1" point from the film's final score. However, the arm to arm combat between the good and bad mutants after the bridge incident is pretty cool.

Currently, the X-Men franchise is the best super-hero trilogy. Unfortunately the mutants will be upset next summer when the Spider-Man franchise take's over the number one spot.

Now let's discuss SUPERMAN RETURNS. Lets get the grade out of the way...SUPERMAN RETURNS gets a "3". The jet sequence was great and well shot. If you were afraid of flying before seeing the SR, seeing the jet fall to Earth in flames won't help matters. In real life you won't be able to count on a good looking man in red tights with super-human strength fly to your rescue and gently set the injured plane onto a baseball field.

SUPERMAN RETURNS short comings all result from one character...Superman himself. His talents, his powers are unbelievable, and I'm not using unbelievable in a good sense. Superman is perfect. I hate perfect heroes. Kryptonite, and inanimate object is his only true nemesis. Lux Luthor...? Superman can handle everything the bald man has to offer.

In one of the most ridiculous scenes I've ever seen in a super-hero movie...Superman actually lifts and carries (while flying) an island...Yes, and island (!) into space! Unbelievable!

I want my super-heroes to bleed. I want my super-heroes to have flaws that villains can take advantage of. Deep down don't we all want the bad guys to win? Spider-Man, Batman, and the X-Men all have flaws and weaknesses...flaws and weaknesses that everyone has. Everyone, but Superman.

I predict there won't be a SUPERMAN RETURNS...AGAIN anytime soon.