Not as good as the first two films.

Rating: 10/10 (27 May 2006)

In 2000, a young man named Bryan Singer gave us a movie based on what is probably the most well known superhero story of all time. The XMEN
The film was a great introduction to what would become a large scale franchise. The movie set up the characters well and showed that a successful transformation from comic book to movie is possible
In 2003, Bryan Singer followed up XMEN with its sequel. X2 XMEN United. With more creative freedom, Bryan Singer made X2 one of the best sequels ever. A rare one that outshines the original. Better story, better acting, directing, and more action. Everything was higher and the running time was 30 minutes longer. Many characters were developed and given their spotlight.
Now 3 years later, we come to the final film in the XMEN franchise. XMEN The Last Stand
OK, let me get to the point. XMEN 3 is a big step down from the first two films. It is not as good and there is little character development. Many characters die in this movie and aren't developed well enough for their deaths to be effective and move the audience.
The acting by the stars are great. Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian Mckellen, Patrick Steward all give fine performances. Kelsey Grammar rules as Beast.
The directing by newcomer Brett Ratner to this franchise is well and inspiring. The man honors the first two films and manages to make the movie look authentic. Each scene looks like it came right out of a comic book.
The problem with this movie is the 104 minute running time. It is simply far too short. It needed to be as long as XMEN 2 to wrap up everything. The whole story goes by too fast and in certain emotional scenes, the direction feels rushed. The screenwriters need to realise that the first two movies were so great because they took the time to make the audience car about the characters. We knew what made them tick, and why they choose the side they were on.
Killing off Professor X, Cyclops, and Jean Grey is a big move to make in a movie thats supposed to be the biggest if all 3 films. 104 minutes is not enough. Needs to be longer.
With all that gotten out of the way, let me talk about the positives
The action scenes and special effects. The last 40 minutes of this movie are worth the price of admission alone. Such amazing visual effects and battle scenes highlight this film. The Golden Gate Bridge sequence is truly a sight to see.
Xmen 3 is the first real summer blockbuster entertainment. It is far better than Mission Impossible 3, Poseidon, Davinci Code.
But it just isn't as good as the first two. Don't go in expecting it to be the best of the 3 because you will be disappointed. If you go in expecting a lot of character study, you will be disappointed
Go in expecting a lot of kickass action and special effects and you will be entertained.
It could've been so much better.
XMEN A+ X2 A+ XMEN 3 B+