Beautiful finale with only one major flaw.

Rating: 8/10 (26 May 2006)

Nothing will top the miracle which was Spider Man 2, but this third entry in the X-Men series comes darn close! I agree with another's review I read who said that aside from many parts of this movie being "rushed," it was superbly written, acted, and directed and the emotions are stronger than ever! In a time period where movies are "at their worst" it's nice to see something like this come along. This movie deserves to re-spark the waning grosses that have been going on all this year.
It's hard for me to give a true review without giving something away or repeating what others have said, but I'll try.
The action and dialog come at you non-stop, I had to use the bathroom and couldn't find a lull where I didn't feel I'd miss something important. And I doubt that you will. This movie comes at you full-speed, there's no time to stop and take anything in or ponder certain aspects of the movie before it moves on to something else equally interesting.
The plot (although excellent) is also more simple than the first two: some rich guy's son (Angel) is a mutant, so he dedicates some of his resources to develop a "cure" for mutants. They develop the cure by producing mutant-blocking antibodies from the blood of a young mutant boy (Leech) who has the inadvertent power of nullifying the mutant powers of any mutant who comes near him (within about 6 feet). Magneto takes this as a personal affront to mutants everywhere, even though they swear that the "cure" will only be given to mutants who volunteer for it. However, when this cure is used in self-defense, Magneto seizes this as an opportunity to claim that humans are on the offensive and raises a huge army of angry mutants against the pharmaceutical company that created it.
The sub-plot involves the return of Jean Grey. Cyclops discovers her at the lake where she was assumed dead. Several ominous secrets about her are revealed, and her loyalties are tested. But...does she choose sides, or can anyone truly control what she has become, and has secretly always been......? The only other "problem" is, like the other 2, it is esoteric, appealing only to fans of the genre or sci-fi fans.
However, as compressed as it is, it is DEFINITELY worth your time and money to see this in the theater if you are a fan of the first 2, and if you're not, it's a must rent.
I hope I've been helpful, this is a must-see for X-Men fans everywhere, and hopefully we'll get to see a director's cut in the DVD.