X-Men: The Last Stand

Director: Brett Ratner
Screenwriters: Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn
Starring: Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Hugh Jackman, Halle Berry, Famke Janssen
Running time: 103 mins
Certificate: 12A

The very existence of the entire mutant race is jeopardised as a company discovers a cure to their condition. This sparks off another disagreement between the different mutant factions as Magneto (McKellen) sees an opportunity to gain recruits in a war against humanity, typically at loggerheads with Professor X (Stewart) and his team. Meanwhile they also struggle for the loyalty of the volatile Jean Grey, who has now returned as the ultra-powerful Dark Phoenix.

The third (and supposedly final) instalment of the Marvel franchise sees previous X director Bryan Singer relinquish his duties to Brett Ratner and although he has produced a good movie by the yardstick of comic book flicks, The Last Stand is not without its problems. It's clearly designed as climax to the series, involving the death of more than one key character. One such departure catches the audience by surprise and gets the emotional reaction it deserves, but unfortunately disposing of characters (not only through death) for the sake of it comes across as overkill and loses its effect somewhat. However, when it comes down to it, it's done in such a way that they can be resurrected for a sequel if necessary (be sure to stay after the end credits begin to roll).

As some characters leave, several are also introduced or at least brought more into the foreground, adding some fresh colour to keep the audience interested. Although some new blood is welcome there's rather too much in what is meant to be the series' climax. It feels as though some of the characters are introduced hurriedly and in contrived ways, and if this is intended to please the fanboys it might backfire since some characters are reinterpreted or misused. Meanwhile, the heavily-advertised Angel is underused, enjoying all of five minutes on screen.

Somehow the filmmakers have managed to cram more action and more emotion than before, but without working where the priority lies. This means that the flow of the action, by far the movie's strongest point, is disrupted from time to time. Meanwhile the standard of dialogue has slipped from the gang's last outing. Writers Simon Kinberg (xXx: State of the Union) and Zak Penn (Elektra) come up with some awkward lines, some of which get laughs, though probably not in the intended way.

Aside from a miscast Vinnie Jones, the acting is as good as you would expect from the likes of Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. Hugh Jackman is as ever the most arresting character, whilst it's also nice to see Halle Berry's Storm and Famke Janssen's Jean/Phoenix get more to do.

Above all, the X-Men films are action movies, and there is nothing to grumble about on this point. The mutants' powers allow for some great fight scenes and set pieces, helped along with a hearty serving of CGI.

Viewed as a summer blockbuster, The Last Stand does its job perfectly well. It's entertaining throughout with some satisfying action and a fair few thrilling and suspenseful moments, but unfortunately doesn't meet the high standards of X2.