X-Men The Last Stand Not Only Makes It's Stand But Also Delivers Incredible Acting!!

Rating: 10/10 (28 May 2006)

I must say having read a lot of reviews i was very nervous about X-Men The Last Stand, but having experienced it on May 26th 2006 i must say X-Men The Last Stand definitely delivers.
First of all for those who don;t know the story, basically it picks up i assume form the film about 2 or 3 months after X2, everyone is still shaken up from the death of their former team mate Jean Grey, especially Cyclops. Also there is a cure for mutation which has been generated from the Leech (a mutant who has the power to rid another mutants power in his presence) , so the X-Men must decided whether they retain their uniqueness or become like everyone else.
Meanwhile back at the X-Mansion, Wolverine and Storm have discovered the body of Jean Grey at Alkali Lake and also Cyclops Glasses! They bring her back to the mansion only to discover that she is being controlled by her alter-ego persona, the PHOENIX! Jean Grey loses control over the Phoenix and escapes after a raunchy session with Wolverine. Now the world are split into three, the humans who will do anything to cure mutation, Magneto and his brother Hood of mutants who will kill at will those who get in the way of them and the X-Men who are stuck in the middle.
The acting in this third and supposedly last instalment is phenomenal, Sir Ian Mc Kellan reprises the role as Magneto and does a terrific job as always, Hugh Jackman gets better with each film, Halle Berry has definitely improved and Patrick Stewart gives acting beyond X2. For the newcomers, we have Kelsey Grammar as Beast who was just absolutely funny, Ben Foster aka Angel who brought some emotion to the film, Ellen Page as Shadow Cat was simply adorable and funny, she definitely kicked ass! Along with Dania Rimerez as Callisto, but if i had to give an award for the best acting, i would without a doubt give it to Fmake Janssen who portrayed Jean Grey/ Dark Phoenix magnificently. from the charming and comforting Jean Grey we all knew from X1 AND 2, to the fierce jet black eyes of Dark Phoenix.
In regards to the action, it was simply fantastic, it was so tense, especially the scene in the Grey House, was simply emotional, shocking and xciting, without giving too much away, let's just say Dark Phoenix gives Magneto and Professor X a piece of her mind. The effect of the Dark Phoenix were sensational too, she may not have the flames like the comics but they definitely did justice, Basically whenever she used her powers, everything just disintegrated into ash. Also the Golden Gates Bridge seen is fantastic, all hands to Magneto, oh one thing that i would like to add is Storms battle sequences were satisfying, she flies finally! Along with Magneto and yes Dark Phoenix! I think most of all, the emotion was heightened in this epic instalment, there were some very emotional moments and some pure laughter coming from the Beast.
Another thing was the length of the film, 1hr 45mins, it doesn't sound long but it feels ages, definitely OK with time.
Another factor was the deaths of characters, well for Cyclops, he was killed about 30mins into the film because Jean Grey killed him by sucking his soul or something, but i thought this really worked caused all the audience just gasped in shock, another character was Mystique, she didn't die but she got shot by the cure to save Magneto, this again was very shocking but really worked as you felt so sorry for her, and most of all Professor X, this was the highest point of my emotions, basically he was killed by his favourite student, Jean Grey! I won't go into detail cause it is really that fantastic but it was so sad cause Wolverine and Storm are battling their way through to try and save him but were too late and the last shocker was Magneto being stabbed by the cure, this was again really shocking as Magento is like the one, but don't worry Dark Phoenix gets her revenge. Literally.
Speaking of Dark Phoenix, i've heard that people thought she was too powerful, for god's sakes she the only class 5 mutant and she's the most powerful too, even more powerful than Magneto and Professor X, in the comic she nearly destroyed the universe but in the film she only destroyed the island of Alcatraz, so don;t start bullshitting about Drak Phoenix being too powerful, she's only mutant.
Sequels? Well Fox are definitely making Wolverine and Magneto prequels, and X3 left it so there could be sequels so i wouldn't be surprised in a few years time i'll be watching X4, but i think enough has been done with these characters now, as much as i am infatuated by them i think the Last Stand definitely is the Last Stand. Maybe they could introduce new characters like Psyloche, Forge, Gambit, Polaris, Kid Omega, Multiple Man, Arc Light and the Sentinels!! Even though the majority that i said did make a cameo appearance, they could definitely elaborate and develop these characters.
Like i said, X-Men The Last Stand definitely delivers, despite losing a bit of 'Singer' touch, Ratner has definitely pulled it off. I think if there were to be an X4, they should definitely collaborate Singer and Ratner, that would be the ultimate X-Men Movie!