'X-Men: The Last Stand' (PG-13)Don't let the title fool you: Given the blockbuster success of the film in theatres, "X-Men: The Last Stand" won't likely be the last. But if for some reason it is, the film is an exciting and emotionally satisfying conclusion to a film series that mutated Stan Lee's Marvel comic book superheroes into cinematic icons.
The film, the third biggest money-earner this year, makes its debut on DVD (Fox Home Entertainment) Tuesday.
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: X-Men United," 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-skinned 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 (Ian McKellen), now on the run from the government, sees things much differently. Always disagreeing with his old friend Charles' dream of mutants and humans living in harmony, 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.
Slickly directed by "Rush Hour" helmer Brett Ratner (who heartily succeeds in taking on the unenviable task of replacing fanboy god Bryan Singer), there's lot more action in "The Last Stand" than its two predecessors. But the film is hardly a run-of-the mill action flick.
Like the first two "X-Men" movies, "The Last Stand" is driven by a thought-provoking narrative and is emotionally engaging. And while it's not as rich in character development as the first two "X-Men" films, it's not to say that "The Last Stand" is a weaker film. It could be best pegged as a sophisticated action thriller.
Not surprisingly, the visual effects in "The Last Stand" are nothing short of brilliant. Whether it's Magneto dismantling the Golden Gate Bridge, Dark Phoenix unleashing hell on anyone who challenges her, Kitty Pryde (Ellen Page) running through walls or Angel (an underused Ben Foster) spreading his wings and taking flight, the visuals are as good as they get.
The great thing is, "The Last Stand" is hardly about to let its visual effects overwhelm its thought-provoking storyline. Painfully clear is the film's contemporary relevance, which draws parallels to today's world with its take on social intolerance, government intervention and control, and medical ethics.
The acting, as we've come to expect, is spectacular. 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, even expresses 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.
New to the cast are a barely recognizable Grammer, who brings a nice touch of sophistication to Beast; and Vinnie Jones ("Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels"), who's an ominous presence as the unstoppable strongman Juggernaut.
The actor who takes the biggest leap forward from the first two films 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.
With such of a large cast, some of the regulars' appearances are diminished significantly. Anna Paquin (Rogue) and James Marsden (Cyclops), in particular suffer from limited screen time, although their spotty appearances make more sense when the story is taken in context.
If you missed it in theaters, make sure to you watch "The Last Stand" through its end credits. A significant development unfolds, giving us one more reason that there may be more "X-Men" adventures to come.
DVD Features: Ratner is delightful and self-effacing on the commentary track, making no bones about how fans bayed for his blood for replacing Singer.
The disc also features three alternate endings for the film, only one of which -- a major plot development for Rogue -- is worth mentioning.
The deleted scenes would have, for the most part, worked in the film, apart from a laugher where McKellen is featured as a cross between Magneto and his Gandalf from "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Fans of the scenes where Dark Phoenix unleashes fury will love two extended scenes -- one from her childhood home and the other during the final battle.
The special "Stan Lee" bonus edition of the disc includes a collectible booklet featuring classic X-Men comics and a new story penned by Lee -- a hokey story that finds him embroiled in the world of the mutants he created.
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