(no subject)

[timepiececlock]

::rewatching X-Men 2 for the first time since it was in theaters::

I still can't believe they included Rogue in Mystique's various "temptation" forms for Logan. I love that they did, but I can't believe that they did. I'm so used to movies (especially movies with this much draw of a younger audience) being tamed down, that for them to have that allowed that blatant suggestion of cradlerobbing to be included boggles me. Movies just don't do limit-testing things like that in uber-commercialized films.

It is sort of a continuation of the first movie. The first movie had a hundred times more UST between Rogue/Wolverine than between Wolverine/Jean. Still does, though the W/J chemistry did get a bit better this time around. But I thought that the R/W sexual tension could be rationalized away as an unintended result of the actors doing their thing and covered by the writers attempts at a W/J/Cyclops love triangle. The same thing in this film-- only now instead of just the actors gazing at each other, the UST has actually been written in.

Now, one could say that it was meant to be just Mystique freaking him out and it doesn't mean that there is any sexual attraction at all on Logan's part, and that Mystique was fishing for things to bait him with.

But come on. That just doesn't fly with the cast you've assembled here. Maybe if Hugh Jackman and Anna Pacquin had played it completely platonic and paternal from minute one of the first film, maybe that would fly. But the director just forgot to mention that or something I think.

That or the director wanted the semi-flirtation there as a contrast to the Jean/Wolverine thing... or maybe just to titilate the audience.

Either way, I'm surprised it got past all the censorship from the moneybackers.



And now I'm getting a desire to read Mystique/Wolverine NC17 fic of that scene with Wolverine/Rogue hints. Cause they never really explain why she went in there.

I guess she was just horny.

Oh well, good for her I guess. Get laid with a hot guy and take a moment to emotionally screw around with your enemy at the same time. Two birds with one stone.

Comments

[blackholedebris.livejournal.com]

I've only seen the movie once, and that was in the theater. I thought I had imagined that Rogue had been included in that scene. Like, it was just wishful thinking on my part. I kept thinking, No, they *didn't*! Did they? Ooooh, how racy! *grins* I had been meaning to catch it on DVD ever since, particularly so I could rewatch that scene. Although I don't think the actors did a bad job of conveying some sexual/romantic tension between Jean and Wolverine, I thought Rogue/Wolverine was much more intense onscreen. And someone--I think it was Jean--mentioned at the end of the first movie to Logan that Rogue might have a crush on him. So at least on Rogue's part, the tension was intended, I guess.

I was also kinda impressed/surprised that they put the Rogue-as-possible-temptation thing in there, making a direct reference to it, even. I mean, for such a mainstream--and PG13!--movie it's pretty daring, in that respect. Taboo, even.

Since I'm such a big fan of the Wolverine/Rogue ship, I remember trying to stay objective and rationalizing that just because Mystique makes an assumption about their relationship doesn't mean it's true. But I agree that Jackman and Paquin would've played it more obviously platonic, if that's the case. If I knew more about the comics the director's intentions might be clearer to me, depending on how true to cannon he was being.

I'm pretty sure I remember reading at least one fic that meets those requirements. I wish I could remember where for sure so I could link it to you. It might have been on Te's site. Either a fic she wrote or recced. You might want to check there.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

It might have been on Te's site.

Oh irony. I just now recced a fic by her, a crossover. I don't know if I linked to *her* site or not, beause it was a general archive. What's her site?

[blackholedebris.livejournal.com]

teland.com

Heh. Now *I'm* gonna read the fic you just recced. *g*

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

Don't discount Mystique. They hint at possible depth in the first movie, but really bring it to life in the second. She and Magneto come across as this seen-it-all, extremely observant duo -- it's like they have the mutant version of gaydar.

[hiddenw.livejournal.com]

It is sort of a continuation of the first movie. The first movie had a hundred times more UST between Rogue/Wolverine than between Wolverine/Jean.
They practically had their own love theme! And even though the W/J improved a bit in the 2nd movie it still didn't hold a candle to W/R. Plus, Jean's new haircut? A thousand times no.

I still can't believe they included Rogue in Mystique's various "temptation" forms for Logan. I love that they did, but I can't believe that they did.
When I saw it the first time in the theatre I was convinced that my eyes were playing tricks on me. No way was that what I thought it was. And then when I found out it was? *squee*

[jaina.livejournal.com]

I never got around to seeing this movie (which is kind of shocking, considering my fandom background) but it was on sale used at eb for like ten bucks...maybe I'll get it there. I think I've just been so jaded by the suckosity of the comics in recent years that I couldn't work up much excitement about X2, even though I love Jean Grey. I loved Cyclops, but he's a raging fucktard now. HATE.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

so... are you saying that Mystique's use of Rogue's image means that it was well-chosen because Mystique is good at observation and has observed the UST?

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I've never been into the comics. I watched both XMen films, and I liked the second one better. I reccomend it. I don't think I would pay 10 bucks at the theater, but I might pay 8 for the DVD (considering it costs 4 dollars to rent it, might as well pay 8 and own it)

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

It's cause it was so fast... you blinked and you missed it.

[jaina.livejournal.com]

The comics were one of my first fandoms. Well, I didn't participate in the fandoms much, but I had much geek love. Now they just...ugh. So much hate. I have rage for what they did to my favorite characters. At least Wolvie is still cool.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I never thought much of Wolverine's character with what little I knew about the Marvel universe (big hairy guys don't do it for me), but with the movies and the Hugh Jackman, I'm feelin' the love.

[jaina.livejournal.com]

I always said that I didn't care much for Wolverine, but I really liked Logan. I like the sides of him that are overshadowed by the hack and slash. He's an honorable man.

*makes Spike and Faye icons*

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Yay, Spike & Faye!

oh, that reminds me!

I wanted to point you to this song. Have you ever heard "This Woman's Work" by Kate Bush? Because I was thinking it was totally made for VashXMeryl. Well if you ignore the childbirth part and just focus on the love and regrets. I was gonna thrw it to you and see if I could bully you into making icons. :)

[jaina.livejournal.com]

It sounds familiar, so I'm thinking I have heard of it, but not heard it. Hit me with it; I'm feeling inspired by Britney Spears lyrics, so I need something to wash the filth off.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

I'm getting the song up now.

here are the lyrics:

"This Woman's Work"

I hold...
I hold you...

Pray to God you can cope.
I stand outside this woman's work,
This woman's world.
Ooh, it's hard on the man,
Now his part is over.
Now starts the craft of the father.

I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking

Of all the things I should've said,
That I never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things I should've given,
But I didn't.

Oh, darling, make it go,
Make it go away.

Give me these moments back.
Give them back to me.
Give me that little kiss.
Give me your hand.

I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.
I know you have a little life in you yet.
I know you have a lot of strength left.

I should be crying, but I just can't let it show.
I should be hoping, but I can't stop thinking

Of all the things we should've said,
That were never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things that you needed from me.
All the things that you wanted for me.
All the things that I should've given,
But I didn't.

Oh, darling, make it go away.
Just make it go away now.

--

Her voice is beautifully suited to the song. I once made a Buffy/Spike icon set to it, a long long time ago:

http://www.livejournal.com/community/buffy_icons/529403.html

Looking back, they're kind of amatuerish. But I still love that song for them. And for Vash/Meryl too, now.

pretty sounds

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Of all the things I should've said,
That I never said.
All the things we should've done,
That we never did.
All the things I should've given,
But I didn't.

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

Maybe. Put it this way: I think Mystique's choice of Rogue was more than "fishing for things to bait him with." Wolverine's a slut and Mystique knows it.

Two questions:

1. Did Mystique shift into Storm in that scene? I can't remember, but it would make more sense if she didn't.

2. What's the U in UST stand for? Unconsummated?

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

2. UST = unresolved sexual tension. Think the first 6 years of The X Files.

1. Yes. She went through Jean, then Storm, then Rogue. Then she went back to Jean again, then backed off and taunted him with Stryker's image.

[nessie-cakes.livejournal.com]

Rouge was in there? Damn, I only noticed Jean Gray, and I've seen the movie a couple times... Now I'm going to have to go watch it again. Luckily, I have it on DvD xD Makes my life easier.

But still... That's weird. Oo;

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

She went through Jean, Storm, Rogue, and then back to Jean again. I was suprised.

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

2. UST = unresolved sexual tension. Think the first 6 years of The X Files.

Some would say it remained unresolved by the end.

1. Yes. She went through Jean, then Storm, then Rogue. Then she went back to Jean again, then backed off and taunted him with Stryker's image.

Ah yes, now I remember. I think the Stryker/Wolverine made me forget about Rogue. Well, having Storm in there crushes my theory -- she has NO chemistry with Wolverine. Either way, Mystique is deliciously nasty.

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Some would say it remained unresolved by the end.

They slept together and had a baby. There may still be tension, but by then its' just plain sexual tension, not unresolved sexual tension.

Either way, Mystique is deliciously nasty.

Yeah. My first reaction when I saw the second movie (weirdly, not the first) was "I want my own Mystique! Where can I get one? Where, where?"

Re: pretty sounds

[blackholedebris.livejournal.com]

beautiful song!

Re: pretty sounds

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

it is quite pretty. :)

[undercoverbro.livejournal.com]

They slept together and had a baby. There may still be tension, but by then its' just plain sexual tension, not unresolved sexual tension.

Oh right. It was the rest of the show that was unresolved.

Yeah. My first reaction when I saw the second movie (weirdly, not the first) was "I want my own Mystique! Where can I get one? Where, where?"

Do you get the feeling she'd take over if she didn't respect Magneto so much? And I don't even like Rebecca Romijn-Stamos!

[rashaka.livejournal.com]

Do you get the feeling she'd take over if she didn't respect Magneto so much?

Yeah, I got the feeling that she was perfectly capable and the only reason she did was that she respected/cared so much.

And I don't even like Rebecca Romijn-Stamos!

Me either. I think all that make-up helps.