X-Men: The Last Stand expands on the themes of discrimination and
alienation explored in the first two films, and still retains the franchise's
signature kick-butt action features.
It also has a couple of emotionally
resonant scenes that build on the first two story lines. But it lacks the
intriguing moody quality of the previous films. The mutants are more pumped up
and angry this time, rather than misunderstood and conflicted.
The main characters return for a third go-round. On the side of good are
Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), Storm
(Halle Berry), Rogue (Anna Paquin), Cyclops (James Marsden) and Jean Grey (Famke
Janssen). On the dark side, Ian McKellen reprises his role as the steely
Magneto, and Rebecca Romijn returns as Mystique, the shape-shifter.
A new and very blue face is that of Kelsey Grammer as Dr. Henry McCoy/Beast,
a hirsute geneticist whose stuffed-shirt performance seems a bit jarring with
the rest of the tough X-Men. Another new character, Angel (Ben Foster), plays a
barely significant role; his most interesting scene is as a little boy (Cayden
Boyd) attempting to saw off his wings.
The conflict between conformity and embracing one's uniqueness is further
examined as Angel's doctor father (Michael Murphy) develops a cure for
mutations. This kicks off a war between men and mutants. The mutant side is
spearheaded by Magneto, who as a child saw his parents dragged off to a
concentration camp because they were different from the ruling party.
Magneto and his former friend, the professor, tangle once again. Magneto
resents the ruling humans' attempts to control mutants and espouses violence,
while the professor favors reasoned calm and understanding. But it is an
unexpected battle between the professor and a former student that comes as the
big shocker.
Most astonishing visually is a scene in which the Golden Gate Bridge is
dramatically dismantled by the powerful Magneto.
Director Brett Ratner seems to have a way of blending eye-popping special
effects and ambitious action sequences with drama, but don't expect depth and
subtlety. He has a more mainstream sensibility, so this film is slicker with
more splashy effects, but you miss the brooding quality of the last two,
directed by Bryan Singer.
The ending seems to leave things open for a fourth installment. Perhaps
studios should think twice before calling a movie The Last Stand until they
decide with certainty that it is indeed the final entry. (In some theaters at
midnight tonight. Running time: 1 hour, 44 minutes. Rated PG-13 for intense
sequences of action violence, some sexual content and language.)