X3:X-hilirating, X-citing- X-Cellent

Rating: 9/10 (29 May 2006)

Whereas the third installment of the "X-Men" series could have been exhausting, exasperating, and expired, it is exhilarating, extraordinary, and just plain excellent. Following in the tradition of its predecessors, "X-Men: The Last Stand" is full of action-packed sequences displaying the fantastic powers of the hero and villain mutants while also promoting the issue of tolerance of people with differences. Taking over the directorial reigns of Bryan Singer, Brett Ratner significantly makes his mark in the series with his own vision of the comic and does not disappoint fans looking for an adrenaline rush. The familiar cast of Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Patrick Stewart, and Ian McKellen reprise their roles as the popular mutants and help bring the film into an exciting new chapter.
In the years following the last X-Men story, an antidote has been developed in which mutants would have their mutation genes reversed and they would be able to live as normal human beings. Mutant rebellion leader, Magneto (Ian McKellen), sees the vaccine more as a threat against mutants than a cure. Raising up an army, Magneto intends to fight the cure and homo spines to the end. It will be up to Professor Xavier's (Patrick Stewart) X-Men (Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Shawn Ashmore) to stop him and the powerful weapon he possesses in Jean Grey (Famke Janssen).
Brett Ratner is no stranger to grand-scale action pictures having overseen such box office hits as the "Red Dragon" movies and the "Rush Hour" movies. One of the challenges Ratner overcomes is combining an intricate comic book storyline while maintaining the audience's attention with explosive action. Ratner not only manages to portray the mutant rebellion plot but also the underlining story involving Jean Grey and her abilities. With each storyline, he shows the characters' powers so as to draw in the audience with story and effects. Ratner throws everything into this comic book picture: huge explosions, one-on-one showdowns, and a terrific display of mutant powers. Ratner takes many of the mutants' abilities to another level and captures their destructiveness and power with precision.
In "Last Stand," audiences are privileged to see further character development in Hugh Jackman's Wolverine and Halle Berry's Storm. Jackman shows the loner is still coping with the frustrations of doing things his own way without teammates. But Jackman now shows Wolverine's softening a bit as he settles into the role of a father-figure to the gifted students and an even deeper love for Jean Grey. But when it comes time for battle, Jackman unleashes the ferocity that fans have come to know and expect from the hero. Berry also settles into a more defined leadership role and becomes a new voice of reason and action for the team. Audiences will notice the change in her attitude as she gathers to the troops to fight and becomes even more of a defender for mutant rights. Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen are always impeccable in their respective roles as Charles Xavier and Magneto. Stewart is the ever-hopeful guardian of the school and his students who only wants to help build a bridge of understanding between humans and mutants. His desire to help and the warmth of his cause is felt whenever he is on screen. This is countered by McKellen's anger and hatred for humans. His urgency to fight and bring down humanity is never forgotten. Whenever McKellen is on screen, his eyes will tell the whole story behind his reasoning and his actions. Among the new characters debuting are Kelsey Grammar as the wise mutant diplomat Hank "Beast" McCoy and Vinnie Jones as Juggernaut. Grammar's intellectual style brings out Beast's wisdom and character and becomes a great example in the debate of becoming human or staying mutant. Jones' physique and persona is perfect for Juggernaut's pure destructive force.
Should "Last Stand" prove to be the final chapter of the "X-Men" series, it is very well done. Ratner does a great job of tying up the loose ends while also leaving a ray of hope (which fans need to stick around after the credits to find out). Audiences will not be disappointed in display of powers and the action sequences that derive from them. As with any comic book movie, comic fans may dispute the accuracy of the story. However, if one goes for a good fantasy film with imaginative style, this will give you your money's worth.
Grade: A-