Ratner's film is entertaining, but lacks depth

Rating: 7/10 (27 May 2006)

X-Men: The Last Stand
Directed by Brett Ratner.
Starring Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Ian McKellen and Famke Janssen.
After two hit films about Marvel's most popular team of heroes, Bryan Singer decided that it was time to call it quits (and move on to other projects, like 'Superman Returns'). His absence is obvious, and the film suffers because of it. New director Brett Ratner (the 'Rush Hour' films) can certainly bring excellent special effects to the picture, but has a problem making a coherent story. "The Last Stand" is entertaining, but shallow in terms of character development.
When a 'cure' is found to permanently suppress the mutant gene, there is controversy across the globe. Magneto (McKellen), fearing that this is the next step toward an extermination, gathers a group of wayward mutants and forms the Brotherhood. The antithesis of the X-Men, the Brotherhood consists of familiar faces Pyro (Aaron Stanford), Mystique (Rebecca Romijn), newcomer Juggernaut (Vinnie Jones) and even Phoenix (Janssen). Meanwhile, Xavier's men are struggling to do what's right in a world gone awry. Cyclops (James Marsden) still mourns over the loss of Jean Grey, and is surprised when he keeps hearing her voice in his head. The voices take him to Alkali Lake, where his telekinetic teammate was (supposedly) obliterated by a tidal wave in "X2". Cyclops is surprised and thrilled to find out she is still alive, but soon realizes that she's not the same. Jean has become the Phoenix, and her powers have become too much for her to handle.
In her frustration, Phoenix ends up taking the lives of two of her fellow teammates. Magneto convinces her that she can use her powers to stop the homo-sapiens (that's us, folks) from forcing the cure upon mutants, and coerces her into joining the Brotherhood. Due to the death of two major players and the loss of Jean, the X-Men are far outnumbered. As a result, some new X-Men are given more time in the spotlight. Kitty Pride (Ellen Page), aids the team with her gift to walk through solid objects. Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) is back from the second and even gets a much-anticipated battle with former friend and classmate, Pyro. Storm (Halle Berry) also gets a bigger role, and acts as team leader. The new, blue addition to the team is Beast (Kelsey Grammar, "Frasier"), a hairy mutant who has a place in the President's cabinet. Don't underestimate the brainy mutant, working at the White House doesn't mean that he can't trade blows every now and again (and he does, during the movie's climax).
Unfortunately, some mutants don't get as much screen time as the previews let on. Angel, who is set up as a very compelling character, has about five total minutes on screen. Mystique and Cyclops, veterans from the previous two films, also had only about ten minutes each (and surely fans will be upset at the way their respective characters wind up). Some Brotherhood mutants, like Multiple Man and Juggernaut, are reduced to mere henchmen. They are just Magneto's pawns, and really don't add any depth to the proceedings.
With three dead, several cured, and a few left out (Gambit, anyone?) there will be plenty of fanboys upset with the way that "The Last Stand" ends. Of course, with all of the loose ends not tied up (which may or may not have been Ratner's intention) one must wonder how final this last stand really is. If you're looking for a film like "X2", don't get your hopes up. If you want a good time watching an average blockbuster and not much else, then you should be pleased.
Final Grade: C