X-Men moves grimly and stunningly towards a new future

Rating: 9/10 (28 May 2006)

The latest installment in the X-Men series continues to do well all that the previous two films did while attaining a deeper level of emotional impact. By casting its conflicts in a realistic, political realm, the X-Men films have avoided the trappings of other superhero movies, eschewing the cliché of a solitary superhuman fighting against an abstract notion like "crime" or "injustice." Instead, they have been able to weave a realistic allegory that reflects the social issues of our culture instead of overlooking them.
The Last Stand is no exception, recasting the mutant-vs-mutant and human-vs-mutant struggles of the prior two films in a new context. When a permanent pharmaceutical "cure" is developed for mutations, the mutant community is polarized. For some, this cure is a relief; others, an outrage. For Magneto, a scarred concentration camp survivor who scorns humanity and is fearful of its inhumanity, this is the beginning of the annihilation of mutant-kind, and he uses the fear of it among his brethren to garner an army. For the X-Men, it is an ambiguous dilemma, but they are quickly pulled into one side of the conflict by Magneto's warmongering.
This cure plot is coupled with the mysterious return of Jean Grey, presumed dead at the end of the last film. Usually, a hero's return would be a miracle. But instead it proves not to be quite blessing that it appears, and our heroes have to grapple with the internal strife caused by her instability while the outside world is being torn apart by the cure.
Make no mistake, this is a grim movie. Stunning, touching, but grim. Following Revenge of the Sith's lead, this trilogy-closer teeters on the edge of tragedy throughout.
Each of the new characters is a delight. Kellsey Grammar's portrayal of Beast is perhaps the most faithful rendition of an X-character yet, and his acting is superb throughout. Angel's role, though smaller than anticipated, has its own satisfying arc. Some of the "junior" X-Men enjoy greater roles, most noticeably the likable Shadowcat, while another junior X-Man, Rogue, is at her least important. And the Juggernaut is a show-stopper, with Jones proving again that if American audiences like anything, it's a British accent. However, it is, ultimately, Wolverine's movie again--never a problem with Jackman doing the work.
That's not to say that the film is without its flaws. The franchise's departure from the text grows as it goes, leading to situations which wouldn't have been acceptable in the context of the comics. Indeed, my only negative feelings about the movie were born out of my knowledge of the original text and the gap between the two.
Additionally, there are two underlying directorial motives that clearly impact the way this film spins out: (1) to give Storm a bigger role, and (2) to create a sense of closure for the series, or at least the trilogy. In an effort to woo Halle Berry back into the cast, her role was greatly expanded despite the fact that the plot has no need for it to be any bigger. Because of this, her scenes are the least valuable in the movie. She splits her time between nagging Wolverine and being set up for heroic, reaffirming lines. As far as the second motive goes, well, to explain would be to reveal spoilers. But let's just say that if the franchise is continued at some point, it, like Jean Grey, will have to be reborn in a different form.
Don't miss the extra scene after the credits!