Got to see it last night due to some “connections”. Wasn’t expecting much going in, so I wasn’t insanely excited.
I loved it. It was better than the first two. It was sad that they gave Angel and Cyclops personality in a few minutes, whereas poor James Marsden had nothing for the first 2, excepting a tiny sliver. Now he’s been transported to another Singer movie, poor chap. I knew his death was coming, the trailers made it obvious. However, the death of the Professor was a huge shock, but it worked from a storytelling POV. Everyone in this movie stepped up and did a really good job, including Halle Berry. This was by far the most “comic-booky” of the series, and that’s what it needed: no more deep philosophical debates or blatant metaphors, just some good action. If you’re unhappy because it wasn’t anything like the books, tough. This is a seperate yet equal universe, with its own version of characters, just like the Ultimate line.
So, in summation: Was Angel useless? Except for a disturbing part at the beginning, yes. But he has a useless power, and Nightcrawler in the second was the same way, with a badass intro but nothing else.
Was the plot excellent? Yes, better than the first. No slowdown, many great moments, and not too much talky.
Did I roll my eyes? Once that I remember. Same as the others.
You disagree? Fine. But go see it, then decide.