'X-Men: The Last Stand' (PG-13) 
(out of four)
Maybe it won't be the exact movie diehard fans of the X-Men comic book series were hoping for (I can't tell you for sure since I haven't read them). But as a big admirer of the
movie series, I can say without hesitation that the wheels are spinning full speed for Professor Charles Xavier and company in "X-Men: The Last Stand," a wildly entertaining conclusion (or so the studio says) to the spectacular "X-Men" film saga.
Any amount of praise for the film will come as a welcome relief to 20th Century Fox, who appeared hexed to get the third "X" made after the departure of fanboy god Bryan Singer -- the director of the first two "X-Men" movies -- who departed to helm the new "Superman" film.
There's no question that "The Last Stand" isn't as rich in character development as the first two "X-Men" films. But that's not to say it's a weaker film than its predecessors - it's just different. With "Rush Hour" filmmaker Brett Ratner at the helm, there is, to no one's surprise, just a lot more crash-boom-bang.
But the difference here is, it's hardly mindless stuff. In fact, "The Last Stand" could best be described as a sophisticated action thriller. Like the first two "X-Men" movies, it is driven by a thoug ht- provoking narrative and is emotionally engaging. More action or not, the most important thing is, the plight of the X-Men continues to move forward with this film, instead of making mistakes that most sequels do by rehashing previous storylines. And for a film series about evolution, what more could you want?
There are two major plotlines that are interwoven in "The Last Stand." To begin with, Jean Grey (Famke Janssen), presumed dead after she sacrificed herself to save her fellow X-Men at Alkali Lake at the conclusion of "X2," rises from her watery grave as Dark Phoenix -- a mutant with telekinetic and telepathic powers so devastating that they're too much for her alter-ego to comprehend, much less control.
While Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and Storm (Halle Berry) immediately grasp the gravity of Jean's condition, Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), who is still in love with Jean, is in denial -- until he sees the fury of Dark Phoenix unleashed.
Meanwhile, another set of dire circumstances is unfolding for the X-Men. An old mutant friend of theirs, the furry-blue Secretary of Mutant Affairs, Hank McCoy -- aka Beast (Kelsey Grammer) -- has learned that the government has discovered a "cure" to suppress the mutant gene. It poses an interesting dilemma, since most of the X-Men feel that a cure isn't needed for simply being "different" -- yet they all agree that their fellow mutants should have the right to choose whether to go through with it or not.
But Magneto, now on the run from the government, sees things much differently. Always disagreeing with his old friend Charles' dream that mutants and humans can co-exist, Magneto is certain that the authorities will use the cure to persecute the mutant race, and eventually exterminate them.
Building up his Brotherhood of Evil Mutants, Magneto is hell-bent on waging an all-out war against the humans who threaten their existence - and he's enlisted the most powerful mutant of all in Dark Phoenix -- to annihilate anything that gets in her way.
Featuring the best in the ever-changing world of special effects, "The Last Stand" is pure eye candy, boasting the very sort of jaw-dropping visuals that fans have come to expect with summer popcorn movie fare. Then, providing a nice balance, the movie makes painfully clear its contemporary relevance, drawing parallels to today's world with its take on social intolerance, government intervention and control, and medical ethics.
Even though the film places less emphasis on the depth of its characters, the stellar cast more than makes up for any shortcomings. Stewart is once again majestic as the pacifist Professor Xavier; while McKellen's Magneto, driven by mayhem and menace, also shows he can be empathic and in a couple of instances, show deep remorse.
Berry is given much more material to work with, and she's one of the biggest benefactors of the special effects, and Jackman's presence continues to command our attention on screen. He's particularly great in the film's opening sequence where, while chomping on a cigar in the heat of battle, he has the look and swagger of a young Clint Eastwood.
As for the new kids on the block, a barely recognizable Grammer brings a nice touch of sophistication to Beast, while Vinnie Jones ("Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels") brings a nice bit of humor to the proceedings as the unstoppable strongman Juggernaut.
The actor who's given the most to work with in the movie is Janssen, who burns up the screen as she tears into the emotional conflict of her dual personalities of Jean Grey and Dark Phoenix. Her take on Dark Phoenix is the most compelling, which at times, thanks to the aid of creepy visuals, is one step away from the devil-possessed Linda Blair in "The Exorcist." It's the one area of the film that might be too intense for younger audience members.
Another actor who gets more to play with is Shawn Ashmore. As Iceman, he befriends Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) when his relationship with Rogue begins to deteriorate.
As much as it has going for it, "The Last Stand" is hardly a perfect movie. For those expecting a lot from the heavily-marketed winged character, Angel (Ben Foster), get ready to feel like a victim of a bait-and-switch move -- his screen time and involvement in the film are much smaller than the trailers and television spots lead us to believe. Other cast regulars like Anna Paquin (Rogue) and James Marsden (Cyclops) have limited screen time, too, although their spotty appearances make more sense when the story is taken in context.
As for Ratner's direction -- anyone baying for his blood for simply being in the right place at the right time to take the reins for this "X-Men" film needs to put a lid on it. Yes, with films like "Rush Hour" and its sequel to his credit, he's been labeled a "buddy action movie" director. But why is that such a bad thing?
It is, after all, a director's job to entertain his audiences, and this guy clearly knows how to put a movie together. Aided by a good script, I think it's pretty safe to say that Ratner has kept the integrity of the "X-Men" comic/movie universe intact.
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