X-MEN 3: LAST STAND Weird DVD Happenings

[AndyDursin]

Let me first start off by saying that Fox sends out watermarked DVD screeners now for their "big ticket" titles. This means most of us critics no longer receive final product and have to watch horribly-compressed transfers that look like an internet download -- making a review of the disc impossible from a technical standpoint.

Subsequently, I opted to purchase the Region 3 2-disc Special Edition from CD Wow ($15 shipped) since Fox's domestic DVD is only a single-disc (with a bonus disc at Walmart) and I knew we'd only get a screener for review.

AT ANY RATE, I obviously had no idea this was happening...but beware of your U.S. copy of X-MEN 3. This only applies to Fox's domestic single disc DVD edition, but it's a major error as 1 pressing has over 20 deleted scenes (split between two different menus you can choose) and the other only has 11...the same 11 repeated on those two menus.

Apparently there's no way of knowing, either, as the UPC code is the same on all pressings.

My advice? Pick up the 2-disc from CD Wow instead if you have a region-free player. If not, check your disc asap when you get home!

[AndyDursin]

I should add that the movie is TERRIFIC. Short and sweet, and packed with action -- and none of the pretentiousness of the earlier two movies (which I did equally enjoy). Some more character development might have put it over the top, but what can you say when even Halle Berry's Storm was actually useful in this one?

Best of all: John Powell NAILED this score. His sense of lyricism and thematic material is basically a first for this series, and really supported the movie in a way neither Kamen nor Ottman's scores did. THIS is the best super-hero score of the year for my money!

[Paul MacLean]

Subsequently, I opted to purchase the Region 3 2-disc Special Edition from CD Wow ($15 shipped)

Andy,

On your advice I checked CD Wow, but I could only find the Region 2, for £12.99 (that's about $25 in US funds).

This is the web address I was taken to when I typed in cdwow.com...

http://www5.cd-wow.com/

Is this the right place?

Anyway, I agree with yout about X-3. In may ways it is the best of the three. It is the most focused and taught of the trilogy, and retains all of Singers positive touches, and at the same time tones-down the "opressed minority" metaphors (which were excessive and didactic in the first two films).

It also has a much more atmospheric feeling than the Singer films and a tangible feeling of doom. And ironically, strait director Brett Ratner draws a more impressive and three-dimentional characterization out of Ian Mckellan than Singer did!

[AndyDursin]

hey Paul,
I couldn't agree more -- and did you stay for that post-credits tag? Nice to see Olivia Williams getting some (unbilled) work!

OK you need to do this for ordering the DVD...

Use this link first (it's a coupon code):

http://www3.cd-wow.us/index.php?affid=14275&pp_nr=1

THEN do a search for this particular X-MEN LAST STAND set (note there are several versions they're selling):

X-Men (X3): The Last Stand - Limited Edition (2 Disc Set) DTS ES DVD Region 3 $14.95

Price will only show up IF you click through using the link above. This is an NTSC Region 3 (fully authorized) Fox release. I've picked up a whole group of 2-disc sets Fox released overseas with that code (LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, ALIEN VS PREDATOR, etc.).

LMK if it works

[mkaroly]

Do you know of any plans for the X-MEN films to have all the special editions in one box set? I don't have any of the films and have been holding out hope that one day I would be able to purchase a "super" box set with all the special editions-

[romanD]

didn't I tell you? I just watched it again on DVD and though I think it could have run a little longer, I now actually agree too that it is the best of all 3.
And love the score... especially in the Golden Gate Bridge scene... woah!

Pretty impressive what Powell wrote, especially that it is so different to what he usually writes. He seems to have left MV really behind him. Btw, the Main Titles are very different on CD and he said that maybe the ones from the movie are available on Itunes... well, a short cue, but still both versions rocked!

Hm, how many deleted scenes are on the thai DVD? I just had a quick peek... but were it 20????

[Jedbu]

I'm curious-I purchased this disc and I counted over 20 deleted, extended and alternate scenes. I know there are two different menus-are the selections the same for both or are there differences? Do I have one of these 1st pressing discs? If so-I'm glad. It's a helluva movie and one of the few trilogies of this type to be satisfying from beginning to end.

[AndyDursin]

You've got the right one Jeff. The mis-pressed one has the same deleted scenes repeated via the two menus.