'In chess the pawns go first'

Rating: 6/10 (1 March 2017)

Despite its myriad detractors, "X-Men: The Last Stand" is a robust superhero film that, while clearly suffering in comparison to its majestic predecessor, packs an entertaining wallop. Large-scale and bearing an exhilarating finale, this third chapter in the newly refreshed X-Men franchise rates as a polished and well-assembled comic book film.
Therein, however, may lie the biggest issue with "X-Men: The Last Stand." While the Bryan Singer's "X2" was a sophisticated, operatic action film, Brett Ratner's "...Last Stand" is like an operetta culled straight from comic book pages. Broad and quippy, the film does not trust itself to regain the passionate, cinematic bombast of its immediate predecessor. It would rather be a more direct analog to its comic book source. Still, "X-Men: The Last Stand" is better than much of its paneled brethren.
Attempting to intertwine two stories, the film weaves together parts of the famed "Dark Phoenix" saga with a b-story involving a cure for mutancy. Fans of the source material decried the plot for selling short the story of the world's most powerful mutant, and, while this criticism may be valid, the film does the best it can focusing on the dual stories. When it works, the plot compels, bearing broad themes of acceptance of one's own self and abilities.
Even though it must maneuver through some admittedly misguided character beats, the cast is generally up to snuff. Hugh Jackman is given less to do here, but the addition of the charismatic Kelsey Grammar is welcome. The film's aesthetic combines steely blues and natural tones, making for a film that is mostly rich looking. There is a satisfying visual scope that makes the film feel big, enhancing its epic qualities. The film moves quickly, building to a satisfying and bone-jarring climax.
What "X-Men: The Last Stand" comes down to is a tension between a script that lacks the shape and sharpness of a great superhero film and a cast and action beats befitting a great superhero film. In the end, the superficialities of the cast and epically entertaining stand- offs win out. Ratner's "X-Men: The Last Stand" may not have the heart and soul of its predecessors, but it has the flash and spectacle that makes forgiving it for what it lacks very easy.