“X-Men: The Last Stand” (20th Century Fox)
The Third Time Is Definitely Not The Charm
The third installment of the “X-Men” franchise finds most of the superheroes back on the screen but some of them don’t last long. But not to worry there are a slew of new characters ready to take their places. Still fans of this series have formed attachment to the original characters and a change in mid-stream might not be to their liking. “X-Men: The Last Stand” is likely to prove to be more of the same but not enough of the same.
In the last “X-Men” film Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) died. Well in this new adventure she is back, and with a vengeance. It seems only the good in her died and now the bad is back and is known as Phoenix. Phoenix joins forces with Magneto (Ian McKellan) and his followers. They are violently opposed to a new government action by which “mutants” can be cured.
For some such as Rogue (Anna Paquin) this is a good thing. This would mean she could embrace her boyfriend Iceman (Shawn Ashmore) without killing him. Magneto and his group say there is no need for a cure because there is nothing wrong with mutancy.
Storm (Halle Berry) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) are the main leaders of the opposing group. They don’t necessarily support the cure for mutants but they do oppose the violent actions of Magneto. They are of course under the tutelage and philosophy of Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart).
The opposing philosophies eventually culminate in a battle on Alcatraz Island where Jimmy the Leech (Cameron Bright) is located. He is the source of the “cure” and is the one Magneto wants destroyed. The X-Men marshal all their forces to protect him.
The plot of the film is a good one, but its execution is all wrong. There is not enough character development among the new people seen on film. They just appear, with their amazing powers, and are immediately a part of the story. They occupy time that could have been spent on more interesting characters such as Mystique (Rebecca Romijn) and Cyclops (James Marsden),
Of the new characters introduced the most appealing is Beast, played by Kelsey Grammer. He immediately makes himself at home in the story and becomes a welcome member of the X-Men team. Angel, played by Ben Foster, is never a comfortable fit. The audience wonders why he was even introduced.
There is also the elimination of several key characters through death. They have been a part of the first two installments so a quick and unceremonious departure is not appropriate. Fans can accept their deaths but they want them treated with respect.
The film is rated PG-13 for violence and profanity.
Bryan Singer directed the first two installments of this series but left to direct the new “Superman” movie. This left a space that Brett Ratner of the “Rush Hour” movies filled. Ratner has the overall feel for the franchise but his handling of the characters is not up to Singer’s strength. Plus, for some reason the movie has a cheesy, cheap feel to it.
The “X-Men” franchise is one of the movies most popular. It is a shame that in this possibly last effort the effect is so bland. With “X-Men: The Last Stand” the third time is definitely not the charm.
I scored “X-Men: The Last Stand” an x-ed out 4 out of 10.
