X-Men: The Last Stand (2006)

3 out of 4

Starring: Hugh Jackman, Kelsey Grammer, Ian McKellen, Famke Janssen, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, Anna Paquin, Shawn Ashmore, Aaron Stanford, Ellen Page, Ben Foster, Dania Ramirez, James Marsden

Directors: Brett Ratner

Time: 104 mins

Viewed: Mega Movies at Brunswick Square, East Brunswick, New Jersey

Third and possibly final instalment in the mutant superhero series has our protagonists facing a new threat: a "cure" for their disease. Metal master Magneto (McKellen) recruits to fight a war; meanwhile, Dr Jean Grey (Janssen) returns from the dead as the Phoenix, who may be the most powerful and unstable mutant of all. Episodic adventure features impressive pyrotechnics and effects, but lacks the relentless pace of X2, even though that film was longer. New helmer Ratner's (Rush Hour 2) direction is generally solid and polished, but missing is the sense of awe and storytelling finesse that previous honcho Bryan Singer (who skipped ship to oversee Superman Returns) provided. Everyone from the earlier two chapters (except for Alan Cummings' Nightcrawler from X2) returns, including regulars like Wolverine (Jackman), Professor X (Stewart), and Storm (Berry), and several new mutants such as Beast (Grammer) and Angel (Foster) are introduced. Still, with so many characters, some are bound to see less screen time. Spectacular (and exciting) finale in San Francisco plus the emotional resonance from several of the characters' fates elevates this above average, if not to the same level as the first two entries.

(c) Joe Wong (27 May 2006)