The final installation(?) has it ups, and downs. Mostly a piece for the fans.

Rating: 6/10 (27 May 2006)

First of all, let me start by saying that as a fan, X-Men 3 meets the expectations. The problem is, that's all it does. What the first movies had in humor. and wit, this one lacked, and compensated for with (brilliant) stunts/CGI. Brett Ratner is known for is leaning towards massive scenes, and you can expect some massive shots. (Golden Gate should be no secret, being put in the trailer).
Allow me to go somewhat deeper into the material.
The intro gives us some further background into how Jane Grey was "recruited" into the X-men. We also learn that she is indeed more powerful than both Xavier and Eric Lehnsherr. It seems that the writers are running on fumes for long parts of the movie, and key characters are being faded out (in my opinion) too fast. During the first quarter of the movie, three VERY prominent characters are off...
Having many of the characters we know from before leaving this early, opens for a new set of gallery, unfortunately, the movie is rather short in length, so as an audience, we never get to "know" them very well. A character such as Juggernaut (played by Vinnie Jones), could have been a both funny and diverse plot, but ends up as a regular trooper almost...
If you liked Rouge (who didn't), you're also in for a disappointment. She comes, leaves and that is that. Same goes for Cyclops,, Mystique and many other... When the first X-Men came out, I for one, was intrigued by all the mutants at the school NOT playing a major part, looking forward to see them grow in the next installments. Sadly, most of them never did... Instead of keeping the characters Singer spent two films developing, and introducing, they're almost forgotten, or replaced by characters you never really get to care for.
The Iceman/Pyro theme is played out well, so at least that's some, and Beast actually works out better than feared. Big thumbs-up to Kelsey Grammar for taking a part so out of typecast and having fun with it. As for Angel, the trailer holds him as a main character. He is in now way that, but I'm willing to let that pass. Introducing yet another character, when so many new is already up, would be even more confusing.
There's action in this movie, lot's of it, so if you don't have strong feelings for the first two, and likes BIG scenes, you'll be more than happy. In that way, this film is NOT for the die hard fans. If you liked the first two, and expected to see the school vs the Magneto crew, this film isn't that much what you asked for, but it's still worth seeing.
All in all, calling X-Men 3 a bad movie wouldn't be fair. The actors do a good job with what they were handed. Kelsey Grammar plays it just right, and Sir Ian McKellen is worth the ticket alone (as always). I'd also like to point out Halle Barry and Famke Jansen. Vinnie Jones isn't acting bad, but he isn't handed the best cards from the start... This is, as a stand-alone, pure popcorn entertainment, and will stand in the shadow of the first two. As and end to a series, it does what they wanted it to do, namely not ending anything in a way that can't be spun on...
SO, to the end of the film...
It's called the last stand. Do NOT leave the theater before ALL the end credits are shown. Not everything is what it appears. If you pay attention early in the movie, you see what I mean.