X-Men 2.2

Rating: 5/10 (9 January 2007)

"X-Men 3: The Last Stand" is so underdeveloped, it plays as more a continuation than a sequel to the fine "X-Men 2". While better paced, more exciting and with much better special effects than the first "X-Men" film, the paucity of character development, alas, makes it the weakest entry so far in the series. The film is further drained of urgency by the elimination of two of the most compelling mutants during the first quarter of the film and a pivotal character by the half-way point. Some interesting characters from "X-Men 2" are, here, no where to be found. While Kelsey Grammar does his best to make his role interesting, he simply has too little to do. Halle Berry, usually so effective, lacks resonance or substance in her nonaction dramatic scenes. "X-Men 3" is certainly an entertaining time killer, but nothing more than that. I give "X-Men 3" a 5.