truly unique, climatic and unforgettable superhero film (Warning possible spoilers)

Rating: 10/10 (20 September 2015)

X men the last stand is the follow up to X men United which set the stage for the introduction of Dark Phoenix which would lead into the iconic comic saga while also leaving the conflict between humans and mutants up in the air. This movie picks up where the other left off introducing two stories each mostly focusing on a different part of the cast. Warning there may be some spoilers ahead.
The first is the discovery of a controversial cure for the mutant x gene leaving mutants a choice to give up their gifts or maintain them this is quite the deep and meaningful plot as the moral ambiguity surrounding this situation is explored through numerous ways rather it being one desiring the cure because they see their powers as a curse or another rejecting it because it's what someone else wants rather than them. We see mutants protesting in mass while others line up in mass. The cast focused on in this plot are Bobby, Rogue, Kitty, Beast, Pyro, Magneto and to an extent Angel and Mystique.
The second plot deals with Jean's return and her transformation into Dark Phoenix. this plot reveals the back story of not just the film but the movie mythology in general giving us more information on Xaiver and Magneto's history together.
This arc is very emotional up until Days of future past this was the most emotional story to ever come out of the movies it's also the most intense and still is to this very day featuring several scenes that are both heart wrenching and nail biting this arc moves fast cranking up the emotion and tension with each scene it also explores the morals of the misuse of power especially when trying to control power beyond you. The whole arc shines and is undeniably the highlight of the movie it focuses on Wolverine, Storm, Xaiver, Jean and Magneto. Comic fans will have to accept that isn't the comic story especially what happens with Cyclops which is a central reason this movie is as hated as it is which is just not right as the story is still incredible rather the main character is Cyclops or Wolverine.
The cast deliver solid performances Hugh Jackman delivers his most emotional performance in the trilogy and Halle Berry really shines Patrick Stewart gives his best performance in the franchise especially during a climatic scene at Jean's house but the stars of the movie are Ian Mckellen and Famake Jenson. Ian delivers his best performance in the franchise and probably the best Magneto performance period he really does shine showing that he is Magneto showing his calm collected and intelligent side while also showing a lot of humanity this is a performance he should be proud of.
Famake on the other hand is a completely different league she only has a few lines all throughout but she delivers them perfectly portraying a disturbingly accurate portrayal of multiple personality disorder shifting from one to the other and her near lifeless spaced out expression is unnerving showing someone who is truly lost and confused and certainly not in control her performance is incredible stunning really and in my opinion near Oscar worthy especially a scene in the middle between her and Hugh. The rest of the cast does well though it is Kelsey Grammar who shines his performance as Beast is spot on and is given numerous great scenes he appears all throughout and is probably the most prominent character in the cure arc.
The action is of course great this film is the only X men film to truly have large scale battles the final battle is the largest scene to come out of any X men movie and is a truly climatic showdown to conclude the trilogy though the best scene is the face off at jean's house the scene is intense and is probably still unmatched in the franchise. The visual effects are also great rather it be The Phoenix levitating her entire house or Magneto moving the golden gate bridge the mutant powers are on full display here but fear not the visual effects while great never overtake the story.
Finally what makes this film so unique is the fact that it defies all the comic book expectations this film was called the Last stand and that is exactly what it is the end of a story and indeed it does wrap up nearly every characters story arc some very definitively. (spoilers lie ahead.)
This movie is controversial it does unthinkable things in most stories the cure would be seen as unethical and taking would be wrong not here a main character takes it and is depicted as being right because it's what they wanted. Three main characters are stripped of their powers the first which happens a third of the way in a moment that screams all bets are off but this pales in comparison to the devastation that is Dark Phoenix never before has Dark Phoenix been this impacting in fact many people perish by her hand even more shocking is what happens in the half way point spoilers don't read further) When one of the most beloved characters in the franchise is obliterated by Phoenix in one of most memorable scenes in any marvel movie the death is a true turning point in the film. The scale of the story is ambitious and the deaths are shocking but all are meaningful in no way is this film rushed with both plots getting about as much focus as the Stryker arc from the second.
X men The Last Stand a truly unforgettable super hero film that goes beyond so many others defying expectations and taking true risks that it is not only the best in the trilogy but one of the best superhero films period. Fight on X3 and stand tall you always.